IT’S A BIG PAWS UP FOR GPAW THE THIRD!
5 months ago 
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21st November, 2023 10h27
This year’s Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW), the UK’s largest campaign dedicated to improving guinea pigs’ welfare, has had a fantastic show of support from piggy owners, with over three-quarters of those surveyed engaging with the campaign and over 1,500 downloading a digital GPAW pack filled with guinea pig information and useful guides to keeping them happy and healthy.
The campaign survey, which was carried out by GPAW’s organisers Burgess Pet Care, also found that over 80% of owners said they would improve and/or enrich their guinea pigs’ housing, whilst 14% said they intended to adopt a guinea pig.
As well as sharing essential information on guinea pig care by outlining their five welfare needs – Diet, Behaviour, Companionship, Environment and Health – the theme for GPAW 2023 was ‘Rescue & Rehome’, to highlight the plight of hundreds of guinea pigs currently in rescue centres.
The theme was chosen following data showing an alarming surge in guinea pigs being abandoned after the pandemic, which has continued during the cost-of-living crisis.
The GPAW campaign, which took place in September, featured top tips for caring for guinea pigs, fascinating facts and competitions, as well as a dedicated ‘adopt don’t shop’ page. Since GPAW, several guinea pigs have been adopted and are now looking forward to a much brighter future.
Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB, MRCVS, Deputy Managing Director and In-house Vet at Burgess Pet Care, said: -
“We couldn’t be happier to receive such a positive response to GPAW. Responsible pet ownership is really important to Burgess Pet Care and to learn that almost all owners who completed our survey believe GPAW has a positive impact on guinea pigs’ care is hugely encouraging.
“We’re really proud of the positive difference that GPAW is making after three years, but the more we can all help owners understand and learn about guinea pigs, the happier and healthier the nation’s guinea pigs will be!”
Backed by charity supporters the RSPCA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen Pets Charity and Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Guinea Pig Awareness Week will return for a fourth year in 2024 and further details will be announced on the GPAW website next year.
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