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Large-scale Jandawae Rescue 2006 Appalling case of neglect...and we were told they were HEALTHY!
1st June 2006. It
all started when one of our volunteers found our a lady wanted to giveaway
50 guinea pigs. We rung the woman up to find out the story. Over
the phone we were told that recently the family member that owned the
animals had passed away they had left 20 doves behind and 50 guinea pigs (
which she recounted and it turned out their were only 36 ). We were told
that all the animals were in good health and that they were the owners
quote " PRIDE AND JOY " and the woman continued to tell us that she just wanted
them gone within the month.
We decided to arrange to pick-up the guinea pigs. Our journey was to be
a two day tripe and a 5 hour drive from Brisbane to Jandawae ( 50km from
Dalby ) and back and with the help of a wonderful dedicated volunteer " Beck " we drove off on our long journey in an 89 Ford Laser
with 9 carry cages packed in toe and one adopted rescue sow who would meet
her new family along the way.
After
staying the night in Dalby with temperatures reaching well below 0 degrees
we then headed to the desolate dry small town of Jandawae. When we arrived
the shock of what we saw in front of us words cannot describe. An old
metal and rotting wooden coop with rusted wire no longer than 2 meters in
length housing approx 20 pigeons who were housed IN WITH the guinea pigs.
Bird poop and feathers everywhere, birds flying everywhere, cracked old
cement pipes filled with dirt and mud, scrap chicken wire lying around
inside the coop, the floor stinking and covered in layers of guinea pig
droppings rotting hay bird poop and cracked pieces of cement. A single
filthy plastic water bowl filled with muddy water, the bird racks layered
with poop and the guinea pigs and birds sharing a small filthy plastic
container filled with a small amount of plain round bird seed. The woman
pulls a guinea pig out to show us how healthy they are as our volunteer
Beck watches her pull out a guinea pig riddled with severe mange and
mites, skinny, bare stomach and almost no hair. We proceeded to catch all
the very wild guinea pigs as each one was picked up it would scratch and
let out a shrilling squeal., Several of the doves were riddled with mange
some were very sick and unwell.
Within 2 minutes of leaving the property in tears we were on the phone to the RSPCA. Sadly once we reached Toowoomba on the way back one of the guinea pigs passed away it was an emotional moment for both of us. When we arrived back early evening we settled the guinea pigs into emergency cages, sexed them and administered revolution to each guinea pig. The guinea pigs were suffering from mild to severe mange, dermatitis, malnourishment, bloat, constipation, dry flaky skin and all very skittish and timid in nature.
Mid June we held THE BIG WASH which was an enjoyable volunteer day held at the sanctuary where volunteers helped give all the guinea pigs a good bath, care and clean we ended the day with a BBQ and some of the volunteers brought fruit and vegetable donations. By the end of June all the guinea pigs had been treated twice with revolution for the mange and given mite baths and and slowly gained condition with proper care, a good balanced diet and a little loving. The DPI have taken the case on and is still investigating the other animals involved in this case. The guinea pigs are currently still in treatment. Photos from THE BIG WASH can be viewed in our events section of the website. Update photos of all the guinea pigs will be placed here once they are well (c) Copyright 2006, Australian Cavy Sanctuary. All rights reserved. |
