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Individual bios of our dedicated volunteers our founder and managers of the ACS shelters.

Find out more about ACS Mascot ' William ' also our very first rescued guinea pig.

Anyone can buy a guinea pig but it takes some special to opt to adopt!

ACS is a non profit and non funded Community Purpose Organisation and is a combined effort by a dedicated team of individuals and volunteers across Australia who are truly passionate about the welfare and awareness of guinea pigs.

Our Objectives -

1: To educate the community on the correct care and humane treatment of guinea pigs.

2: A commitment to raising awareness and working to change the stereotypical low valued view guinea pigs have endured.

3: To supply aid and sanctuary to ill, injured, neglected, pregnant and found guinea pigs.

4: To re-home guinea pigs appropriately through adoption procedures maintained by the operation of shelters managed by ACS volunteers and staff.

5: To take whatever steps are necessary within the law to improve the quality of life, value and respect of all guinea pigs and to be the voice for those that are trapped in situations of abuse and mistreatment.

6: To support and actively endorse all aspects of animal welfare.

All ACS shelter members of ACS have had many years of hands on experience working with guinea pigs and have a wealth of knowledge from general care to medical/health and genetics. We also are supported in conjunction by the help and advice of the best known small animal vets local to our shelters. As well as the sanctuary guinea pigs shelter managers also have their own guinea pigs that they care for.

ACS does not support irresponsible breeding/selling and keeping of guinea pigs and in general we don't support the selling of live animals in pet shops. In saying this we are always more than willing to work constructively with any pet shop that is willing to have us on call for any advice or help with the guinea pigs they receive and care for. ACS is always willing to offer advice, to offer ACS leaflets and small animal care information and we are willing to take on or help with any sick or unwell guinea pigs that a pet shop may receive as the welfare of every guinea pig and guinea pig awareness and care comes first and foremost no matter where they come from.

ACS founder Jessica Proietti runs the large-scale Brisbane shelter which caters for as many as 150 guinea pigs at any given time. The shelter is privately run and is nestled among the possums/koalas and other wildlife in the greenery of the gum trees on an acre of land. Jessica has 14+ years of experience and knowledge with guinea pigs and has had guinea pigs in her life since the young age of six growing up on acreage property north of Brisbane, QLD.

ACS accept any ill, injured and found guinea pigs that people from the public may wish to surrender to the shelters. We accept ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS from anyone that wishes to report a possible guinea pig mistreatment case. We will take steps to try to resolve the case ourselves first then can work with the RSPCA or DPI in more serious circumstances where further action may need to be taken. Please feel free to call us even if unsure if the case is serious enough as we are more than willing to check it out. We accept guinea pigs from interstate and pay for full flight costs to have them sent to ACS Brisbane shelter if there is no rescue located locally to bring guinea pigs to. This option will not always be available although if we have the funds at the time we will pay for all flight expenses and carry cage costs. For mistreated guinea pigs that would otherwise be euthanased this option is always available. Every guinea pig deserves a chance at a happy life and a lot of the time severely mistreated guinea pigs have nowhere to be placed where they can have monitored treatment and this is why this option has been made available.

In Queensland we offer support where we can with the RSPCA and AWL ( Animal Welfare League ) and take in guinea pigs until they can be placed for adoption.

ACS do not euthanase and it is only in very severe cases where a seriously ill guinea pig would need to be put to sleep and this is done humanely by our trusting local small animal vet. We are a no kill organization and try our best to improve the quality of life and the health of every guinea pig that we receive.

We are dedicated to the ongoing challenge of taking a stand for the quality of life, value and respect of all guinea pigs and to be the voice for those that are unfortunately trapped in helpless situations of abuse and mistreatment. In modern society today guinea pigs are still very undervalued and can still be viewed as " the cheap backyard disposable pet " or " child's play toy " by many and it's time to take a bigger stand to try to change this. It is unfortunate that only very few people are willing to take this stand as guinea pigs have had a very public and misleading low valued " view " for years. We are dedicated to the ongoing challenge to change this.

When given a chance to shine a guinea pig will warm the heart and the soul for life...