7/16/26 - National Guinea Pig Appreciation Day: Help End PetSmart’s Guinea Pig Sales
Jul 16
2 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Today is National Guinea Pig Appreciation Day, but for thousands of guinea pigs across the country, there is little to celebrate.
Every year, guinea pigs are bred in commercial breeding facilities, shipped to pet stores, and sold as impulse purchases. Many families are never told how much care these intelligent, social animals truly require. As a result, rescues and shelters are overwhelmed with guinea pigs who have been abandoned, surrendered, or neglected.
PetSmart has made progress — guinea pigs should be next
PetSmart recently announced that it will end the sale of turtles, tortoises, and several other species. We applaud that decision. Now we’re urging the company to extend that commitment to guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs are living, feeling beings — not impulse purchases or promotional merchandise. PetSmart has already shown that it is willing to rethink the sale of vulnerable animals. Now it’s time to extend that commitment to guinea pigs.
Caring for guinea pigs today — and preventing future suffering
At CompassionWorks International, we believe protecting guinea pigs means doing two things: caring for the guinea pigs who need help today while working to prevent future guinea pigs from entering the pet trade in the first place.
Through our Wheeks of Hope microsanctuary, CWI cared for more than 20 rescued guinea pigs during 2025 and provided more than $2,000 toward emergency veterinary care for local guinea pigs in need.
Right now, Wheeks of Hope is home to twelve rescued guinea pigs, including permanent residents Mochi, Tater, Earl, Pinto Bean, Peppy, Tony the Werewolf, Bakyn, and Saffron, along with four foster guinea pigs. Each arrived with a different story, but all now have the safety, care, and love they deserve.
Change is possible
Last year, we celebrated an important victory when our campaign helped end the sale of guinea pigs in the City of Las Vegas. Under the new ordinance, no new stores may sell guinea pigs, and all existing stores must end guinea pig sales by November 2028.
Every rescued guinea pig reminds us why this work matters. While we’re helping the animals already in need, we’re also working to reduce the number who enter rescues in the first place.
Please join us by signing our petition and encouraging PetSmart to stop selling guinea pigs. If you would like to do more, consider making a donation or purchasing an item from our Amazon Wishlist to help care for the guinea pigs currently living at Wheeks of Hope.
