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Durack Rescue Mission

Behind the scene - A typical backyard breeding case where animals are bred to be sold to the Pet Shops.

On the 30th May 2008 ACS Brisbane Shelter Manager 'Jessica' found a giveaway ad online for 14 guinea pigs. She enquired about the ad and luckily the owner was willing to hand all the guinea pigs over to ACS. Once Jessica was told about the guinea pigs disturbing history she realized that the guinea pigs needed to be picked up as soon as possible. The same day Jessica and two ACS volunteers drove to Durack to pick-up the guinea pigs.

On the phone previously to the owner of the guinea pigs Jessica was told several disturbing cruel stories which included that the woman's husband was going to break all the guinea pigs necks if they weren't re-homed ASAP. Jessica was also told several shocking stories of neighbourhood cats killing baby guinea pigs ( due to the guinea pigs being housed in an open backyard ) and another whereby one of woman's several dogs got into the yard where the guinea pigs were roaming freely and whereby all the guinea pigs ran to safe hidey holes though their was one heavily pregnant sow who couldn't fit her body through the hole and the dog killed and ran off with the guinea pig in it's mouth. Jessica was also told that the guinea pigs regularly developed mange mite problems whereby the woman proudly stated she would cure them by feeding them extra 'carrots'. This in itself was also quite disturbing to hear.

Jessica was also told on the phone that the woman previously ran the pet shop in the suburb of Sherwood, Brisbane and this is where many of the guinea pigs bred would then be sold for profit.

When Jessica and the volunteers arrived at the woman's home they found nothing unexpected although nothing short of appalling. As Jessica and the volunteers walked into the yard they saw several dogs among many other pets and then a small fenced area where they could see the guinea pigs were kept. After being introduced Jessica and the volunteers made their way round the side of the house and were shown to the guinea pigs. The guinea pigs were living in mud and dirt and faeces in a filthy wooden hutch and a yard of mud. Their were 12 sows many of which were pregnant along with babies and two boars. The guinea pigs were all filthy and many had mange mite infestation and wounds. None of the guinea pigs were found with any fresh food or water only soiled grain mix spread over several parts of the yard. The woman told the ACS crew several more horror stories of how cats caught the bubs and how the guinea pigs sold well in the pet shop. The woman also would talk highly of the fact that she was breeding ' pedigree breeds ' and of how well they bred. The woman state she treated the guinea pigs with advantage for the mites although obviously it had no effect on the animals.

The guinea pigs are now currently settled in at ACS Brisbane Shelter. Two of the sows have since had litters although sadly only one of four babies born survived. The babies born were weak and died from lack of oxygen among other internal problems.

We would like those that read this to consider that by purchasing from a pet shop this is the sort of scenario that may be supported in return. Their are many backyard breeders who 'use' animals for profit by either selling privately or stocking pet shops and often the animals are kept in deplorable conditions at the breeders home. Pet shops do not inspect the properties of those that supply them and may not screen the animals health once they arrive at the shop. This story alone is a perfect example of how animals can be kept behind the scenes and is why many animal shelters do not support the selling of live animals in pet shops.

Below are a few photos that we were able to capture on the day of the pick-up and of some of the guinea pigs on arrival to the shelter.