RSPCA Manchester and Salford Branch

Guinea pigs are naturally gregarious creatures who love to eat, chat and doze with each other! Today's blog is quite a long one! Over the years I've bonded many guinea pigs of all ages and temperaments. So here's my comprehensive guide which you might find helpful....

Guinea pigs or ‘cavies’ (from their scientific name Cavia porcellus or 'little pig' in Latin) are not related to pigs or from Guinea! Today we are taking a look at behaviour and trying to work out what they might be trying to say to each-other and us. But first up...

The one thing you can say about piggies is that they LOVE their grub! The perfect piggy diet is 80-90% unlimited, good quality hay and a mixture of veggies including those high in vitamin C twice a day. If dried food is fed it should be maximum a small egg cup of good...

To celebrate the first Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) volunteer and piggy connoisseur Hannah is taking us deep into her world full of PEWs, popcorns, C&Cs, rumblestrutting and 'scatter monkeys.' By the end of the week you'll hopefully have learnt the meanings of...

Elai lives with Eli, and has co-cared for a number of furries in the shared house since she moved in two years ago. This is what Elai has to share in our last blog post celebrating foster carers! What have you learnt? My mum never let us have any pets while growing...

Eli has been fostering for the branch for over 5 years. She lives in a shared house and the residents all pitch in with the care. Here, Eli reflects on her experiences of fostering furballs for the RSPCA. How long have you been a foster carer? I have been...

Diane and Steve have been volunteering for the branch for over a decade. A strange but true fact is that all their foster guinea pigs have been big Liverpool FC supporters and enjoyed watching matches on the TV with them. Here, Diane tells us about her fostering...

Sharon and her family are collectively (and affectionately) known as 'Team Richardson'. Together they have helped so very many animals, often in emergency situations and we joke that they are a 'satelite animal centre'! Sharon tells us about their fostering experience...

Anne has been a good friend and foster carer to the branch for very many years. Her expertise and knowledge has proven invaluable over and over again and we could not manage without her. Anne shares with us what it has been like to foster for over 30 years! How long...

Priya joined our team as the pandemic struck. Little did we know then what a lifeline Priya had thrown us. Her first foster cat was involved in a dramatic water rescue, and she was thrown in at the deep end with her first charge!  How long have you been fostering...

Rachel and Martin are part of the fabric of the branch, having foster for many years now, often taking on long-term stay cats, with complex problems requiring lengthy behavioural and veterinary interventions. They are our 'rocks' and we wouldn't know what we would do...

Gilly became involved with the branch 13 years ago as a volunteer. There isn't a single role she hasn't turned her hand to! These days Gilly is one of our treasured animal care staff and takes pleasure in taking her work home with her. How long have you been fostering...

At the RSPCA Manchester and Salford Branch we celebrate Mother's Day a little differently than most. Some years ago we rebranded it Foster Mother's Day! This year we want take a moment to shine a spotlight on some of our wonderful foster carers, who provide...

Foreword by Branch Manager Susie. Our Retail Co-ordinator Steph has been part of the RSPCA Manchester and Salford Branch family for over 10 years now. She started out as a part time deputy shop manager all those years ago and today is embedded in the fabric of who we...

From the moment Charlie came into our care I think I can easily say that everyone fell head over heels in love with him. Charlie has such a sweet natured and loving personality that just draws you to him and you can’t seem to get enough, no matter how long you spend...

A Tale Two Rabbits by volunteer Sharon Richardson At the beginning of March 2020 we were asked if we could foster a 4 week old bunny kit. The centre had tried to introduce the kit to another litter; however with no success. The little kit, thought to be a boy, was...