~Monica Gates
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It was a bizarre sort of hotel, with furry little critters (and a few
birds) as guests, with a housekeeping staff comprised of volunteers from
various walks of human life. Dozens of people- retired women, school children,
county employees, law enforcement officers and animal welfare workers
from various agencies and organizations all came together in the Multipurpose
building at the Waupaca County Fairgrounds to make sure all of these birds
and animals were well cared-for after they were seized from a Waupaca
County home on October 6. As of October 15, the official count of guinea pigs was 104. It's difficult to be so precise with the hamsters, as some of them were with newborn babies and couldn't be disturbed- but the hamster count was estimated at around 110. There were also seven cockatiels, two parakeets, a baby duck and two gerbils in residence. Births were a frequent event, and the numbers increased almost daily. Many of the animals are assumed pregnant, and the final tally on guinea pigs is estimated to be at least twice, if not three times as many as the original number, after all the gestating babies are born and counted. |
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Allysse Henry, a college student, and Jenny Thompsen, and engineer, drove over 9 hours from Blair, Nebraska to come help over the October 15th weekend. "I came because my friend needed help," Jenny simply stated, referring to friend Rachel Sincere, as if it should be obvious. Serena Adler from Rhinelander, Betty Chou from Milwaukee, and Ms. Sincere, from Baraboo Guinea Pig Rescue were also there- and they didn't leave until all the little piggies had been catalogued, examined, treated for mites, fed, watered and cleaned. Jennifer Furman, Humane Officer for Waupaca County and Jeanette Newell, from the Waupaca Corporation Counsel Office, shared the duties of the critter hotel management for several weeks. It was not a thankless job, however. Both noticed how content and grateful the animals seemed with their clean cages and all sorts of goodies to eat. "The 'ladies' are being very spoiled!" Furman reported, referring to several guinea pigs that were favorites of hers and Jeanette's. Furman and Newell sacrificed a large amount of time towards this effort. At the same time they were also overseeing the care of numerous poultry in a nearby barn at the fairgrounds, with the help of some poultry-savvy students. After the court executed the dispositional order, releasing the animals, the guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and birds were free to be moved elsewhere. On October 18, all of the guinea pigs were loaded into vans and cars and made their way to various rescue organizations and foster homes where they will be well cared for until they are adopted. |
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Over the next several days, some of the hamsters, birds and a gerbil were adopted by area citizens. Approximately 25 of the hamsters (and their offspring) were transferred to Dane County Humane Society, who generously offered assistance. The rest of the small animals were moved the Humane Society of Waupaca County and the birds went to a foster home. Four of the hamsters have since gone to Fox Valley Humane. As soon as it is determined that animals are not pregnant, and their health is reasonably assured, they will become available for adoption, and many adoptive homes will be needed. A link to a current Wish List for folks wishing to donate items, plus adoption and health care information on available animals can be found on WaupacaHumane.org, or you can phone HSWC at (715)258-2545. Cash donations are also appreciated and can be mailed to: HSWC, PO Box 145, Waupaca WI 54981. For guinea pig foster inquiries, volunteer help, or donations, please email guineapigs@charter.net. Adoption inquiries are being taken at WICavy@gmail.com. Transport can be arranged for guinea pigs back to the Waupaca and Fox Valley areas. |
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