Dakin Humane Society Joins Animal-welfare Agencies for Guinea Pig Adopt-a-thon Event

SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society is one of several Massachusetts animal-welfare organizations partnering for a fee-waived guinea-pig adoption event this weekend to collectively find adopters for more than 100 guinea pigs who are looking for new homes.

The other participating organizations include Animal Rescue League of Boston, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts, and Lowell Humane Society.

Most of the organizations will stage the event from Friday, Jan. 5 through Sunday, Jan. 7. Dakin will hold its event on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 5 and 6. Adopters are welcome to visit Dakin at 171 Union St. in Springfield from 12:30 through 3 p.m. either day. In addition, pets can be adopted online, with guinea-pig adoption fees waived during those two days, at www.dakinhumane.org/adopt-a-pet.

The event comes on the heels of a ban, passed by the city of Boston, on the sale of guinea pigs in pet stores, unless those stores partner with a rescue organization. Many pet stores acquire guinea pigs from out-of-state breeding facilities, and the ban will help promote the larger number of guinea pigs available for adoption in animal shelters.

According to Dakin Executive Director Meg Talbert, “our own guinea pig population is quite high at this time, and we have had situations when a large number of guinea pigs have been brought to Dakin from one home because people became overwhelmed with an increasing number of litters being born. Guinea pigs are typically very family-friendly pets, and popular with young children. We are looking forward to this event and the opportunity to match these pets with people who would like to welcome a new friend to the family for 2024.”