Guinea pigs thrown in rubbish bin escape death

Jingle and Noel lived to tell the tale

One Littlehempston resident had a surprise when she found two guinea pigs that someone had thrown away in her wheelie bin with the rubbish last week. Mrs S (who wishes to remain anonymous) had put her bins and rubbish out the night before, as it was bin collection day.

She said: “I went out in the morning with some last few bits of rubbish just before the refuse collectors arrived. I noticed a taped up cardboard box inside the bin that wasn’t mine, and I wondered if a delivery driver had placed the parcel there instead of knocking on my door.

“I picked up the box to see but as soon as I lifted it I realised the box was moving. Much to my surprise, when I opened it I found two rather sweet guinea pigs looking back at me! I couldn’t really believe what I was seeing."

The two guinea pigs, who rescue centre staff have named Jingle and Noel, settled quickly into their new temporary home at the Animals in Distress rescue centre and we are happy to report that they are both doing very well.

Rabbit and Guinea Pig Manager Debbie Hands said: “Both piggies are doing great. They were covered in mites, but after a much-needed bath and groom they are looking lovely and fluffy and they are already putting on weight.

“They will stay at the rescue centre until they have fully recovered and then they have a lovely new home lined up already from our waiting list. They are so lucky that Mrs S went out to her bin that morning – they were minutes away from a really horrible death."