DECEMBER'S GUINEA PIG OF THE MONTH--Mahi Mahi!

Total so far: $405! We have met our goal!

Meet Mahi Mahi

from CA rescue

Cavy House!

Sue from Cavy House writes on 12/2:

We have a very sweet little black crested female named Mahi Mahi who just had surgery yesterday. She came to us pregnant and quite huge. The last week of pregnancy, she morphed into a pancake - very round and she also flattened out vertically too. She started dragging her hind legs behind her at times which we assumed was just because of the extra weight.

She ended up having 5 pups - and all of them were average to large size pups (100-150 grams). The poor girl. She regained use of the legs after she had the pups - but then intermittently drug them behind her again.

Our vet took and x-ray and discovered the poor girl had broken both hips! So yesterday she had surgery to fix both hips - cleaned out the joints, removed the broken femoral heads and sewed her back up. She is on pain meds and eating and pooping so we're optimistic.

Our fundraising goal is $300 for Mahi Mahi, and this will cover only a fraction of the surgery and the initial appointment /x-rays.

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*To avoid Paypal fees you can also log in to your paypal account, select "Send Money," and type "sbduhamel@sbcglobal.net" in to the "to field." Then select "personal" at the top tab. The default status should be "gift." Leave this as-is. Then enter your gift amount. Cavy Companions thanks you for going to this extra trouble!

Checks can be made to "Cavy House" and sent to Cavy House, Sue DuHamel, PO Box 324, La Honda, Ca. 94020.

NOVEMBER'S GUINEA PIG OF THE MONTH--Melvin!

UPDATE: $400 raised so far! WE MET OUR GOAL!

Meet Melvin

from WA rescue

Cavy Companions!

"Melvin is 5 YO. His bottom molars and one front molar have to be trimmed every 6 weeks. The cost is $146.00. These molars are mostly black and the roots are shallow. He has an internal abcess attached to his right jawbone. Surgery is not an option so he will have to be on chloramphenicol for the rest of his life to keep the abcess in check. The cost for this compounded medicine is $34.00 a month, for a total of $180.00 a month.

Just so you know, Melvin is one of THE friendliest gpigs I have ever had here. He wants to be cuddled a lot and have the place on his head where the hair meets from both directions gently rubbed. His favorite food is fresh blueberries."

We will be fundraising $270 for 1.5 months of Melvin's Care.

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*To avoid Paypal fees you can also log in to your paypal account, select "Send Money," and type "info@cavycompanions.org" in to the "to field." Then select "personal" at the top tab. The default status should be "gift." Leave this as-is. Then enter your gift amount. Cavy Companions thanks you for going to this extra trouble!

OCTOBER'S GUINEA PIG OF THE MONTH--Hope!

UPDATE: So far we have raised $382! Thank you to those who have donated! WE MADE OUR GOAL!

Meet Hope

from AZ Rescue

ARIZONA PIGGIE POO RESCUE!

Above: before picture, Banner: Present Day. Hope is pictured with her pup, Gateway.

Hope is one of the mother guinea pigs that came in as part of a group of 4 Moms and 13 babies from the hoarder case featured last month. APPR was generous enough to take in many of these pigs from the overwhelmed CA rescues.

Hope is malnourished, weak, and trying so hard to nurse her pups. She is a beautiful & gentle little Mommy that needs a lot of love & attention.

The cost of care for one of the hoarder's guinea pigs for a month of care, including hay, pellets, fresh fruit & vegetables and housing is about $50, unless we have to go to the Vet - which would be an unknown expense. It is a high possibility that Hope will need veterinary care at some time in the future to assure her survival. Medicines are another expense for mites and lice, which many of the pigs have. In addition, we have transportation needs and since our Rescue does not have a "Company Van", we rely on volunteers to spend time & money on gas and other things like carriers

and various comfort items.

For example, these are the retail prices of some items each pig uses:

Bedding - Softwood: $12

Lg Hidey Hut : $10

Fleece : $5

Snuggle Cup: $19

Food dish : $5

C & C cage : $50

Hay : $10

Oxbow Pellets: $12

Fresh Veggies & Fruit: $20

I'm estimating that to house Hope for the healing time needed it will be about $100 in fixed cost and another $42 per month for upkeep, plus any medical/veterinary expenses and volunteer expenses.

As a result, SAGP hopes to raise $352--enough for getting Hope settled initially, and then for six

months of her care.

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*To avoid Paypal fees you can also log in to your paypal account, select "Send Money," and type "info@piggypoo.org" in to the "to field." Then select "personal" at the top tab. The default status should be "gift." Leave this as-is. Then enter your gift amount. Piggie Poo thanks you for going to this extra trouble!

UPDATES ON SEPTEMBER'S PIGS

UPDATE on the generous matching gift by "Anonymous in CO":

WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL OF $400!

Additional funds raised: $996.67

TOTAL FUNDS RAISED (and I don't have updates on checks, yet): $1396.67!

If you are interested in doing a matching donation please let me know!! This is a great way to double your dollar! Email me at sponsoraguineapig@gmail.com.

UPDATE: "Anonymous in Colorado" is willing to do a match of up to of $400!! We have until Sept. 8th to raise the funds. Please donate and spread the world! All donations from this point out will be matched dollar to dollar, up to $400!

You can learn more details by watching the news report, please click here. For other updates, visit Guinea Lynx threads one and two. Warning: these guinea pigs are not in the best condition. Some photos may be upsetting.

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*To avoid Pay Pal fees send checks to:

Wee Companions
975 Iris Ave
Imperial Beach, CA 91932

SEPTEMBER'S GUINEA PIGS--152 Guinea Pigs from a hoarder

152 guinea pigs were recently surrendered by a hoarder to a CA shelter. Three rescue groups are taking the lead in rehabilitating these animals: Cavy Haven, Wee Companions, and Arizona Piggie Poo Rescue. Please feel free to donate to any of these groups (all legitimate and wonderful), but SAGP will be spending the month of September fundraising for Wee Companions.

You can learn more details by watching the news report, please click here. For other updates, visit Guinea Lynx threads one and two. Warning: these guinea pigs are not in the best condition. Some photos may be upsetting.

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*To avoid Pay Pal fees send checks to:

Wee Companions
975 Iris Ave
Imperial Beach, CA 91932

UPDATE ON ALBERT AND WENDELL!

We raised $454.71!! We met our goal!

JULY'S PIGS OF THE MONTH--Professor Wendell Thompkins and Albert Butterbean!

Meet Wendell and Albert

from GA Rescue

Atlanta Metro Guinea Pig Rescue!

Wendell (pictured above and in banner) and Albert are two gorgeous guinea pig boys who arrived at AMGPR in late April. They are very sweet, friendly, and super loving. Albert and Wendell are about 3-4 years old and get along together fabulously. They are always at the edge of the cage looking for human interaction. Wendell gives great piggy kisses, and Albert is a snuggle bunny.

They were surrendered by a woman who worked in Atlanta, but lived about an hour away. She took them from a friend who found them dumped at a pet store. While in this woman's home, they lived in a C&C cage and received decent care, but the woman felt she didn't have enough time for them.

These boys are in for quite a treat, as they are being adopted by our very own ... Marsha Weaver! (Marsha recently lost her home and many of her guinea pigs in an Alabama tornado. The month of May was devoted to fundraising for her).

Before being adopted, however, they must be neutered. The cost per neuter is $98.28 each (for a total of 196.56) and then a course of antibiotics of $28.50, for a total of $225.06. I hope we will reach $300, as gas costs are also involved in the transport of these pigs to their forever home.

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UPDATE FOR SUNFLOWER AND ROSIE!

So far we have raised $339.81 out of $300, or £209.94 out of £189.14--we met our goal!!

Please consider donating, and passing along Sunflower and Rosie's story. They really need the help.

How could you say "no" to these faces??

Please send checks (made out to Thistle Cavies) to

Shevaun Brannigan

700 Professional Dr.

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

To donate in US dollars:

To donate in Sterling Pounds:

JUNE'S PIGS OF THE MONTH-Sunflower and Rosie!

Meet Sunflower and Rosie

from UK Rescue

Thistle Cavies!

Introducing Sunflower and Rosie. Sunflower is a very special wee piggy, she has what the vet suspects is a very slow growing cancer with multiple little lumps all over her belly area, all a

ttached to each otherwith ‘tendrils’ under the skin.Sunflower also has other problems, she is a heart piggy and needs syringe feeding 3 times daily as she will not eat very much on her own.

Obviously she has a problem with her mouth but it is not dental, no redness etc to be seen but she dribbles a lot. She will chew on a slice of cucumber then leave most of it. Some days she does eat a whole slice and will even tuck into a bit of carrot, she can also eat hay but not very much. Her mouth has been checked several times over the past few months but no spurs, nothing to show for her odd behaviour with food.

Since arriving at the Rescue she has captured our hearts, she is not demanding but just sits anxiously around feed times in case you forget her, with her little front paws propped on the front of her cage watching intently. Initially she would eat her critical care from a bowl but now only syringe feeds will do.

Her cage mate Rosie is completely blind from an eye infection that was not noticed and completely depends on Sunflower for guidance. Rosie also has a permanant head tilt and a heart murmer and just recently she has presented with a lump on her belly that will need to be removed. This is planned for the near future if all goes well with the heart meds. We are hoping that a few weeks course of Fortekor will strengthen her heart enough to allow the op to be done.

Sunflower goes through two big packets of Critical Care a week costing almost £60, her and Rosies heart meds cost £8 50 per week then Rimadyl/ Metacam is a further £2 per week. Rosies op will be in the region of £60- £70 and no doubt Sunflower will need further checkups for her mouth to ensure that nothing shows up that can be cured/helped.

I can assure you all that to meet Sunflower is to fall in love, she is very special and has full confidence that we will take care of all her needs, no one seeing her could ignore the look of belief in her eyes that you will help her. It is very hard to describe this look without putting it into human terms but there is no doubt that she believes this human will do her utmost for her and keep her free from any pain or suffering....and she is right.

I would like to thank you all in advance as I know how generous you all are when it comes to special needs piggies and Sunflower is certainly that, she and Rosie also send their wheeks.

Our Goal is to fundraise $300 for Thistle Cavies.

Please send checks (made out to Thistle Cavies) to

Shevaun Brannigan

700 Professional Dr.

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

To donate in US dollars:

To donate in Canadian Dollars:

FOR MORE UPDATES ON MARSHA

Please visit http://dianastaresinicdeane.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/new-beginnings-for-little-miracles-the-littlest-tornado-survivors-acclimate-to-new-surroundings.

This includes photos of the survivors in their new home!

For the month of May--

We will be fundraising for one of our own. Marsha is a beautiful person, inside and out, whose home was destroyed in a tornado. Her pigs and rats were possibly killed, her daughter is on oxygen.

Please send checks, made out to Marsha Weaver, to Shevaun Brannigan, 700 Professional Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879. Reference Marsha in the memo line.

Envelopes must have my name on them, instead of Marsha's, otherwise they will not arrive.

Click below to donate--this is going to the SAGP paypal, so I can keep track of how much we've raised. There is no goal. Please donate as you can.

Thanks to all of you for understanding our deviation. Marsha is just like you, she loves piggies and donates to SAGP, as well as other rescues.

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$11,473.11 raised in Paypal, $2485 raised in checks/Cash, $50 in giftcards (Walmart), TOTAL: 14,008.11! excludes checks not yet received and donations made directly to Marsha's paypal.

PLEASE VISIT THE NEXT POST FOR WONDERFUL UPDATES :)

Updates on May's Marsha

UPDATE: One pig has been found. We are unsure if he or she is alive, or which of Marsha's pigs it is. Marsha herself had to go to the hospital, during the storm she clutched her children so tight to her chest that her breastbone pressed into her heart. Marsha is out of the hospital now. Her daughter is in ICU, but is believed to be stable. She has a hole in her lung.

UPDATE: Emma was the pig found, alive and well!

UPDATE: Marsha's daughter is off of oxygen and breathing on her own!

UPDATE: Great article written by one of our supporters, here:http://dianastaresinicdeane.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/the-story-of-a-tornado-a-family-a-dog-rats-a-herd-of-guinea-pigs-and-an-online-community/

UPDATE: Marsha has found all but one of the pigs and found 6 rats!

Now, with good news there is a little bad news. Of the remaining pigs she found today only 3 were survivors. So that makes 4 pigs found alive (this includes Emma).

Of the rats found, 2 had passed and one needs vet care. The other 3 are ok.

UPDATE: Marsha's daughter is out of the hospital!

UPDATE: Another Rattie has been found, Olivia!

UPDATE: Visit here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/feylin for photos you can use as badges on your blog, or as avatars!

UPDATE: another blog post from a supporter, Diana: http://dianastaresinicdeane.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/a-miracle-can-weigh-less-than-3-pounds-the-littlest-alabama-tornado-survivors/

UPDATE: Paintings available, proceeds going to Marsha! http://shop.ebay.co.uk/rosieblackdog/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

UPDATE: Video made by one of our supporters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7A-OE5PZo&feature=channel_video_title

UPDATE: Etsy shop donating all proceeds for the month of May to Marsha: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AintThatCrafty?ga_search_query=aintthatcrafty&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Baby Truman Truffles

To donate to this sweet boy, please click the below donate button:

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To avoid paypal fees send checks to:

Contact me at sponsoraguineapig@gmail.com for an address for checks.

UPDATE FOR TRUMAN TRUFFLES!

So far we have raised $501 out of $375. We've met our goal!!! I am very hopeful that this month we will not only meet our goal, but surpass it, as Truman has taken such a bite out of MGPR's funds (almost $2k).

Please consider donating, or passing along Truman's story!

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To avoid paypal fees send checks to:

Contact me at sponsoraguineapig@gmail.com for an address for checks.

APRIL'S PIG OF THE MONTH--Truman Truffles!

Meet Truman Truffles

from VA rescue

Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue!

Truman is a very special piggy who is incredibly deserving of being this month's featured pig. He was born into the Culpeper Clan, a group of pigs rescued from a hoarder. He is the only one in the group with health issues, that MGPR knows of.

Truman first exhibited symptoms seeming like mites early on, and was treated for mites and with antibiotics prior to being adopted out. He was adopted and returned twice, the first time because the adopter's daughters didn't like to hold him.

Truman was seen by several vets, exhibiting skin issues with very thin fur, and irritable skin. Truman eventually was transferred to his current foster home, and was almost bald and had a very nasty smell. He was eventually diagnosed, via skin biopsy, with "Chronic Hyperplastic Superficial Dermatitis with Perifolliculitis." He has been through many treatments as a result, including holistic treatments.

Since November of 2009, MGPR has spent $1,773.62 on Truman Truffles. This is their most expensive pig ever, since their tracking system began.

His foster mother writes, "If anyone would wonder why so much is being done for one little pig, it's because he is a very special little pig. The moment you hold Truman you understand that he connects and bonds with humans in a way few guinea pigs do. While we still don't have a handle on his condition we have been able to make Truman comfortable."

Our goal for this month, for Truman Truffles, is $375. I know it's high, but I really hope we can make it. MGPR is a great organization and they, and Truman, could really use the help.

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To avoid paypal fees send checks to:

Contact me at sponsoraguineapig@gmail.com for an address for checks.

Stars of SAGP: Where are they now? Pt. 2

Remember Buttercup? Her rescue mom writes:

Buttercup is still going strong. She still rules her cage with an iron paw! She is always the first one at the food bowl when it’s refilled, but when I restock hay or bring veggies I make sure I put some right in front of where she is so she doesn’t have to work hard for her share.

She is starting to lose some weight so to maintain we are supplementing with Critical Care and she loves it! Most of her hair is gone now (from the hormone imbalance from ovarian cysts) but she is a confident, mature lady who does not care about how she looks!

And here's a photo of Buttercup enjoying one of the goodies generously donated to her:

For previous updates, visit: http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/2011/03/stars-of-sagp-where-are-they-now.html

URGENT--CT CONNECTION IN DIRE NEED!

I received the following information from CT Connection, a rescue already strapped financially from their recent snow cave-in.

They got a pig in the rescue two weeks ago (Tigger) whose medical bills are going to run close to $1,500 if not more. They've already spent $400. He now needs a CT Scan to see if there's a mass behind his eye, as x-rays didn't work. Depending on this scan, he may need his eye removed.

Please donate what you can. There is no goal set, but I will post our fundraising results. UPDATE: $175 donated so far!

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To avoid paypal fees send checks to:

The Critter Connection, Inc.
PO Box 371
Durham, CT 06422

Make checks payable to "The Critter Connection, Inc." and please specify SAGP or Medical Fund in the Memo line.

$ 11,622.37

GUINEA PIG HAND PUPPETS-Just $14!

This cutie is perfect for schools, parents, rescues, and your every day guinea pig fan! Email me at sponsoraguineapig@gmail.com if you'd like one :)

Stars of SAGP--where are they now? pt. 1

Remember Jujube? This dear girl has finally made a friend, another sanctuary pig named Jana.

Pics below!

(Jujube has also mastered the art of stink-eye!)

And who could forget Cocoa? This handsome man is still available for adoption. View his petfinder listing here: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18595075

Don't forget Deputy Doofy, who has also made a friend! Her name is Sugar, a five year old arthritic pig who is getting along very well with the paralyzed Doofy. Picture below.

UPDATE FOR ROCKY!

So far we've raised $360.17 out of $360! We've reached our goal and then some!

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated and shared Rocky's story.

UPDATE: A very generous donor, moved by The Critter Connection's plight, has offered a $25 matching donation. Please take advantage of this opportunity! UPDATE: Donation MATCHED!

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To avoid paypal fees send checks to:

The Critter Connection, Inc.
PO Box 371
Durham, CT 06422

Make checks payable to "The Critter Connection, Inc." and please specify SAGP or Rocky in the Memo line.

$ 11,447.37

MARCH'S PIGGY OF THE MONTH--Rocky!

Meet Rocky

from CT Rescue

The Critter Connection!

Rocky is a seven year old neutered male who lives in the sanctuary herd, in an enormous 25'x3' cage. Rocky came to the rescue three years ago. He had been a single piggy all of his life, and on top of this, his family lost interest in him.

Rocky is a real character with a mind of his own! He was adopted out three times to excellent homes with friendly buddies over a one year period. Each time he went to his new home he stopped eating. He was checked out thoroughly by different vets, but no medical issues were found.

After the third time this happened, The Critter Connection decided to keep Rocky in the rescue as a sanctuary pig, so he was neutered. He lives in the sanctuary herd with twelve other old-timers, and is the boss of them all.

Our fundraising goal for Rocky is $360, enough for a three month supply of veggies, pellets, carefresh, and hay.

The Critter Connection is especially in need of this funding, as they are going through a financial crisis. Their garage collapsed from the weight of the snow earlier this year, meaning they lost all of their surplus rescue supplies, bedding, hay, extra cages, and many personal items. The homeowner's insurance covered the personal items, but not the rescue's items. The Critter Connection is working on rebuilding their building and supplies. Any extra help we can offer them during this time is much appreciated.

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To avoid paypal fees send checks to:

The Critter Connection, Inc.
PO Box 371
Durham, CT 06422

Make checks payable to "The Critter Connection, Inc." and please specify SAGP or Rocky in the Memo line.

New Product: Veggie Sleeping Bags!

Premades:

Mini-veggie sleeping bag in tomato (good for babies and skinnier pigs)=$8

Medium-veggie sleeping bag in carrots (for average-sized pigs)=$12

Large-veggie sleeping bag in cabbage (for plumper piggies)=$15

Please feel free to request other sizes in the fabrics available.

Just email Sponsoraguineapig@gmail.com with your requested sleeping bag specs, and I'll get an invoice out to you.

Thanks so much for your interest! Remember, a portion of the proceeds go to the piggies!

Win an SAGP keychain!

Just friend me on Facebook (search for "Sponsor A GuineaPig") and post on my wall by this Thursday afternoon about why you love piggies! I'll use a random number generator to select the winner.

Or you can buy one from me directly for $.10 off the Zazzle price ($3.25) and with free shipping! Supplies are limited!

UPDATE FOR MISS SCARLET!

So far we have raised $349.40 out of $325! We've met our goal!
Please consider donating or passing on Miss Scarlet's story. She would greatly appreciate it!

Two cozy sacks, a tunnel, and hut have been donated. Wonderful!!

Happy Valentine's Day to Miss Scarlet!

The aforementioned guinea pig blanket for her feetsies:

Thank you for being an advocate for those who cannot help themselves.

$ 11,087.20

FEBRUARY'S PIG OF THE MONTH-Miss Scarlet

Meet Miss Scarlet

from TX Rescue

Texas Rustlers Guinea Pig Rescue!

Miss Scarlet is a very special pig going through a hard time. This poor girl has a UTI, calcium sludge, urine scald, and on top of all of that, ovarian cysts.

Miss Scarlet, pictured at left with her sister Miss Piggins, needs a spay, which is an intensive procedure for guinea pigs. It requires an expert vet, which Texas Rustlers is lucky to have.

We are hoping to fundraise for this spay, estimated at $200 (including pain meds and antibiotics), as well as purchase her a cage blanket, costing about $50. The blanket will enable her feetsies to have a soft surface, and aid her urine scald and UTI recovery.

Aside from these requests from the rescue, I would also like to raise an additional $75 in case there are future issues for Miss Scarlet. I would like to establish a vet fund for this dear girl. The director of Texas Rustlers Guinea Pig Rescue had a difficult year in 2010, and I think it would be great if we could all take one worry off her plate. Our fundraising goal is $325.

Miss Scarlet was born in August of 2005, and she has been in the rescue with her sister since 2007. They are best friends.

Thank you for being an advocate for those who cannot help themselves.

Please pass Miss Scarlet's story and this site on to others.

in order to avoid paypal's fees, consider sending a check or money order to:

Texas Rustlers
160 Cedarcrest lane,
Double Oak, TX 75077

UPDATE! The blanket has been ordered! Thanks so much to our generous donor!

UPDATE FOR PABLO!

So far we've raised $385 out of $332! We've met our goal!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated. This--reaching our highest goal ever--wouldn't have been possible without you.

Of course, additional donations are welcome!

$ 10,747.80

JANUARY'S PIG OF THE MONTH-Pablo!

Meet Pablo

from CA Rescue

Orange County Cavy Haven!

Pablo is a very special little pig whom has already touched many peoples lives in the short time he has been here on this earth. We have determined now that Pablo is blind and deaf. He has no front teeth and will need hand feeding.

Pablo will be cared for by experienced volunteers and will live his lifetime ...as a sanctuary piggy.

Keep this sweet boy in your thoughts and prayers. We love him so much and hope he will be able to live a long wonderful piggy lifetime.

Hooks have grown on his molars, and he needs them trimmed. This will cost $282. We are also fundraising for two large cans of critical care, at a cost of $50. Our total goal is $332. We've never done a goal this high before, so please, do as much as you can to forward the cause.

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*Orange County Cavy Haven, 9877 Chapman Ave Ste D, PMB #124, Garden Grove, CA 92841

memo "Pablo" or "SAGP." Thank you for your generosity!