Hannah Messer RVN BSc (Hons) CertEd
Guinea Pig Welfare Forum 2026 Brings Experts Together To Tackle Key Welfare Challenges
2 days ago 
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Veterinary professionals, academics, welfare organisations and guinea pig enthusiasts gathered in Birmingham for the Guinea Pig Welfare Forum 2026, where experts from across the sector explored some of the most pressing challenges facing guinea pig health and welfare.
Co-hosted by Burgess Excel and Guinea Pig Welfare UK, the event brought together leading voices in veterinary medicine, research, rescue and education to share the latest evidence, practical experiences and emerging welfare concerns, while identifying opportunities to improve standards of care for guinea pigs across the UK. Dr John Chitty chaired proceedings.
Suzanne Moyes, Deputy Managing Director and In-house Vet at Burgess Pet Care, said: "The Guinea Pig Welfare Forum has become an incredibly important platform for bringing together the people working to improve the lives of guinea pigs across the UK.
"By uniting veterinary professionals, researchers, rescue organisations and the wider pet sector, we can encourage meaningful collaboration, share the latest evidence-based thinking and continue raising standards of care. Burgess Excel is proud to support an event that helps drive positive change for guinea pigs and their owners."
The day opened with an update from Dr Chitty in his role as Chair of Guinea Pig Welfare UK, on the organisation's ongoing work to improve guinea pig welfare and promote evidence-based care.
The forum’s keynote, Welfare of Guinea Pigs in Homes and Rescue, was delivered by Hannah Messer RVN BSc (Hons) CertEd, explored the welfare challenges guinea pigs face in domestic and rescue settings. Her session focused on how early husbandry interventions, including diet, space, companionship, and recognising stress, can help prevent common health problems.
The programme also featured presentations from experts across research, veterinary medicine, education and rescue, including:
- Virginia Garner-Richardson MRCVS, discussed responsible breeding and hand rearing, highlighting that most unwanted litters stem from poor sexing and missing information rather than intent.
- Aidan Raftery and Majo Escalona, Ashleigh Veterinary Centre, presented on guinea pig caesareans, outlining when intervention may be needed to support the best possible outcome.
- Alison Wills, Hartpury College, explored welfare in educational animal handling classes, highlighting the need for greater staff support in recognising and responding to signs of stress.
- Allison Hilyer, RSPCA, explored the importance of companionship, using evidence and case studies to reinforce why guinea pigs should never be kept alone.
- The afternoon session featured a presentation from the Companion Animal Sector Council Chair and a vigorous discussion on the issues facing Guinea pig rescue centres and where future legislation will affect these.
A recurring theme throughout the forum was the importance of improving understanding of guinea pig-specific welfare needs and ensuring owners, veterinary professionals and those working across the pet sector have access to reliable, evidence-based information.
Dr Chitty said: "One of the greatest strengths of the Guinea Pig Welfare Forum is its ability to bring together people with different experiences, perspectives and areas of expertise, all united by a common goal of improving guinea pig welfare.
"Throughout the day there were some lively and thoughtful discussions, which is exactly what events like this are designed to encourage. By bringing those viewpoints together, we can challenge assumptions, share best practice and continue working towards better welfare outcomes for guinea pigs across the UK."
Delegates left the forum with new insights, practical guidance and a shared commitment to continuing efforts to improve guinea pig welfare across the UK.
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