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100 guinea pigs taken away from owner
Animals taken away after two guinea pigs multiply to 100

A guinea pig owner has contacted the RSPCA after her un-neutered pets bred constantly, finally reaching 100 in number.

Officers arrived at the Sittingbourne property to find the animals, who were reportedly well looked after and in good condition. Some were living loose inside the house whilst others were in large, clean outside hutches. Sheppey RSPCA chairman Angela Walder said:

“You couldn’t fault the care...some of them were living in very nice cages; it was just a case of there was too many and she knew it had got out of hand. She was very embarrassed by it."

The guinea pigs range in age between four years old and six months. It is understood that the owner began with just two of the animals in 2009 and the numbers have multiplied over the years as the animals hadn't been neutered or the sexes separated.

Walder adds: “People don’t seem to take on board the fact they breed at the rate of knots. However, it’s not always the owner’s fault - sometimes the pet shops don’t sex them properly.

"You'll be surprised by the number of people who call the RSPCA saying 'I don't want all these rabbits anymore' and it turns out they thought they'd bought two girls but one ended up being a boy and they had babies."

The RSPCA are gradually moving the guinea pigs to a centre in Brighton for re-homing. Four of the same sex have been left with the owner to avoid any more breeding. Waldon said:

“We can only take the amount she is willing to part with. It’s good that we got in there while they were still being well looked after though - she certainly called at the right time.

“I would like to urge people to be mindful when buying a pet and that if you’re buying two animals to make sure they are sexed by a vet."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."