ACS ' THE BIG WASH ' 28th January 2008

Volunteers at the Australian Cavy Sanctuary (ACS) didn't have the luxury of an Australia Day public holiday — instead they were pitching in to wash more than 50 guinea pigs in need of a good scrub at ACS Brisbane Shelter. On Monday 28 January the crew rolled up their sleeves for the Big Wash, held twice annually. Once again ACS called on its team of passionate volunteers and members of the public in the name of helping out their furry little friends.  The day began with the sun shining brightly through the trees ready to dry freshly bathed guinea pigs!  A group meet up and introduction and guinea pig bathing demo took place under the main marquee area. Everyone was then divided into three smaller wash teams ' green team ', blue team ' and ' treatment team ', managed by team leaders. Once all guinea pigs were washed and dried and returned to their enclosures the teams sat down to a lovely picnic and BBQ lunch while the kids were supplied with guinea pig colouring pages to express their artistic abilities! Keeping with tradition most of the main team were thankfully still present for a group photo. 

ACS Brisbane Shelter had been recently inundated with guinea pigs and running near maximum capacity due to the Christmas season and a number of recent surrenders and rescues and with many guinea pigs needing a good scrub we called for one of our Big Wash Days to take place! Our Big Wash Days are enjoyable and fulfilling and finish off with a BBQ Picnic lunch. Members from the public are always welcome to attend and/or tour the shelter on the day.

Many of the guinea pigs in quarantine at ACS Brisbane Shelter received extra care and treatment at the wash, and were suffering from fungal infections. The treatment  team on the day did a fantastic job of looking after the guinea pigs needing their medical care and washes. Fungal infections in guinea pigs can occur at any time they are caused by an infection of the hair and the surface layers of skin by spore forming fungi. Instances of fungal infections in guinea pigs dramatically increase in the warmer weather, with the recent humidity in south-east Queensland sending the number of cases skyrocketing. The infections are highly contagious and spread rapidly between guinea pigs, so when affected animals are taken in by ACS it’s all hands on deck to ensure that the problem remains contained.  All guinea pigs with fungal infections are quarantined to minimise
spreading, and hygiene for volunteers is paramount. There are a number of treatments available for fungal infections, including topical ointments
and medicated washes, but it can be up to a month before an animal is no longer considered contagious. Animals need to be bathed at least twice a
week for several weeks in order to fully recover, and their cages must be scrubbed clean to avoid re-infection.

On behalf of the Australian Cavy Sanctuary we would like to thank all volunteers and members of the public for attending the day. Thank you also to all the children who willingly took part in the big wash you all did a fantastic job handling and bathing the guinea pigs and made a great team and should be proud. ACS is always looking for help and support from members of the public to help the cause expand and grow and by participating in ACS related events it is an enjoyable and fulfilling way to help create change and awareness for guinea pigs. 

PHOTOS FROM THE DAY!

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