A young Valley woman has made it her mission to give guinea pigs across the state a fighting chance.
Abby Redwine has transformed her two bedroom apartment in Casa Grande into a guinea pig rescue.
Two weeks ago, her apartment manager stumbled upon a male guinea pig in the parking lot. Abby took him in and did everything she could.
"He was in terrible condition. I did everything I could to keep him alive," Abby said, but sadly, he didn't make it.
In that moment, Abby knew she had to do something.
"I noticed people are dumping guinea pigs more and more, especially with the summer coming."
So just two weeks ago, she started a rescue. She and her fiance have already saved and adopted out more than 30 guinea pigs.
She's gone all over the state, from El Mirage to Vail in Pima County.
Abby says there are a lot of reasons why people end up dumping these pets, but it's mostly because they're not prepared for the responsibility.
"They get them when they're small and cute and don't realize they can live to be four to eight years old."
Abby is currently working to establish a 501(c)(3) organization, but in the meantime, is operating solely off this Facebook page.
There is also a GoFundMe page that has been set-up for donations.
More than anything, Abby is hoping to spread that word that guinea pig owners now have options.
"People can actually step up and find homes for them instead of leaving them to die especially in Arizona where it's really hot," she explains. "They may be rodents, but they have feelings, too."
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