Last updated: October 2026
Written by the Birdsville team.
Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney is Birdsville’s guinea pig rehoming and adoption service, based at our store at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney. We never euthanise a healthy guinea pig, and every guinea pig that comes to us gets the chance of a second home. Surrendering a guinea pig costs $45, adopting one costs $25 to $40, and you’ll need to call (02) 9669 1766 first to check we have space.
Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney Key Facts
Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney is run by Birdsville in Alexandria, Sydney.
The surrender fee is $45 per guinea pig, paid when you drop them off.
Adoption fees are $25 to $40 per guinea pig.
Always call (02) 9669 1766 before bringing a guinea pig in, as space is limited.
We can’t take sick, matted or injured guinea pigs. Please see a vet first.
Every rescue guinea pig is wormed, treated for mites and fed a proper diet before rehoming.
Any animal bought from Birdsville can always come back to us for rehoming.
How Many Guinea Pigs Can Birdsville Rehome at Once?
Birdsville can only take a limited number of guinea pigs at a time, so you must call first to check we have space.
Every guinea pig we take in deserves the right new home, so we keep a close eye on how much room we have. There may be times when we can’t accept new guinea pigs, simply because our small animal facility only has so much space. We won’t accept any guinea pig without prior notice, because we don’t want to overcrowd our animals. If there’s no space when you call, stay in touch. As soon as a space opens up, we’ll let you know and arrange a time.
How Much Does It Cost to Surrender a Guinea Pig?
Our guinea pig surrender fee is $45 per guinea pig, payable when you drop your guinea pig off in store.
This fee goes toward the feeding, housing and care your guinea pig receives with us while we find them a new home.
Why Do People Rehome Their Guinea Pigs?
People rehome guinea pigs for many reasons, such as moving house, allergies, a new baby or a change in work hours, but giving up a pet should always be a last resort.
Owning a guinea pig is a lovely and rewarding experience, but it comes with real responsibility. Guinea pigs live for years, need daily care and do best with a companion. If you’re struggling, talk to us first, as our team may be able to help with advice on housing, diet or behaviour. Our guide on how to care for guinea pigs ([ADD GUINEA PIG CARE PAGE LINK]) covers the basics.
Our Commitment to Every Guinea Pig
At Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney, we will never euthanise a healthy guinea pig, and we’ve never turned away a guinea pig in need as long as we have the space.
We understand that sometimes giving up a guinea pig really is the right decision for everyone involved. It’s not an easy time for you or your guinea pig, so we make sure it’s handled the right way. Over the years we’ve helped thousands of pets find loving new homes and given owners real reassurance during a hard decision.
The one thing we can’t accept is a guinea pig that’s sick, matted or injured, because Birdsville isn’t a vet clinic. In those cases, we ask that your guinea pig sees a vet first, and we’re happy to help with rehoming once they’re back to full health.
How Did Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney Start?
Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney grew out of Birdsville’s work rehoming older birds, which we’ve done since our early days as a specialist avian store.
As the team’s interests grew, we branched out into small animals, with the goal of becoming Australia’s leading small animal specialist. Along the way, we noticed plenty of guinea pig owners facing changing circumstances and needing to find their pet a new home. Most other places only sold baby animals, as older pets are naturally less popular, but we knew older guinea pigs deserved the right home and proper care just as much. That’s how Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney came to be.
We’re a small business that does things in a big way. Nobody tells us how to run things, so we can give every rescue animal proper care and keep our products the best of the best. We still sell a small range of birds, fish and small animals alongside our full range of products, and we take in and offer for adoption any bird or small animal that needs a new home, not just guinea pigs. We also run Rabbit Rescue Sydney (https://birdsville.net.au/rabbit-rescue-sydney/) and Sydney Pet Bird Rescue (https://birdsville.net.au/re-homing-parrot-adoption/). We don’t have the facilities to rehome cats or dogs.
How Does Guinea Pig Rehoming Work?
Rehoming a guinea pig with us takes three steps: call to check space, book a drop off time, then bring your guinea pig in with a $45 surrender fee.
We know this isn’t an easy decision, so we keep the process simple for you and your guinea pig. There’s a car park right out the front of our store to make drop off easy.
Step 1: Check Availability
Call us on (02) 9669 1766 first. We can only look after so many rehoming guinea pigs at once, so whether we have space depends on how many are already waiting for new homes. If nothing’s free when you call, we’ll let you know when to try again, whether that’s a week, a fortnight or a month away, depending on how much interest there’s been in our current guinea pigs.
Step 2: Book Your Surrender Appointment
Once we’ve confirmed we have space, we’ll ask for your name and the day and rough time you’ll arrive. Within a few hours is fine. That way we can have a team member ready to walk you through everything and settle your guinea pig into a temporary enclosure. The $45 surrender fee is paid on arrival.
Weekday Appointments
Our preferred rehoming hours are Monday to Friday, 11am to 4:30pm.
Weekend Appointments
We can also arrange weekend appointments, though there may be a bit of a wait. Weekend rehoming hours are Saturday 11am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 3pm. We stay open for an hour after these times, so your guinea pig has time to settle into their new surroundings before the lights go off.
Step 3: What to Bring With You
Bring your guinea pig in a cardboard box or carrier. Not sure what to do with your guinea pig’s old enclosure, accessories or food? These often come in handy for other animals coming through our rescue, so feel free to bring them along too.
A Tip From Our Staff
If you can, write a short information sheet for your guinea pig, with their name and age, what they like and dislike, and how they get on with children. Bring along any toys or favourite treats they’re attached to as well. It’s optional, but familiar items and a bit of background make it much easier for your guinea pig to settle in, and help their new owner get to know them faster.
How Are Rescue Guinea Pigs Cared For at Birdsville?
Every rescue guinea pig spends time in our holding area, where they’re fed a proper diet, wormed and treated for mites before being offered for adoption.
While they’re with us, they eat Vetafarm Cavy Origins (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-furry-friends-cavy-origins-1-5kg), oaten hay and meadow hay, along with fresh fruit and vegetables. Once we’re sure they’re happy and healthy, they come out onto the shop floor to get used to our team and customers again. Guinea pigs who take a little longer to settle get extra one on one attention until they’re comfortable.
Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney has a loyal following of people who love giving a rehomed pet a second chance, and there’s never been a guinea pig we couldn’t find a home for.
How Do I Adopt a Guinea Pig in Sydney?
To adopt a guinea pig from Birdsville, visit us or call (02) 9669 1766 to see who’s available, then show us your setup, and pay an adoption fee of $25 to $40.
Before we rehome a guinea pig to you, we’ll want to know they’re heading somewhere set up properly, with a suitably sized enclosure, good food, enrichment toys and any vet care they might need along the way. We’ll also ask to see a few photos of where your new guinea pig will live. Haven’t got it all sorted yet? No problem. Birdsville stocks everything a guinea pig owner needs, including discounted enclosures in store. Guinea pigs are social animals, so ask us about adopting a bonded pair.
If things don’t work out after adopting, you’re always welcome to bring your guinea pig back to us, and we’ll keep working to find them the best possible home.
What Should a Rescue Guinea Pig Eat?
A healthy guinea pig diet is unlimited fresh hay, good quality pellets, fresh vegetables every day and a daily source of vitamin C. Guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C, so it must come from their food. Our top pick is Birdsville Blends Rabbit and Guinea Pig Pellets (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-rabbit-guinea-pig-pellets-4kg), and Birdsville Blends Rabbit Guinea Pig Mix (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-rabbit-guinea-pig-mix-4kg) adds variety. Offer hay such as the Torwood Farm Mini Oaten Bale (https://petsville.com.au/products/torwood-farm-mini-oaten-bale), and top up vitamin C with Vetafarm Origins Vita-C Chews (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-origins-vita-c-vitamin-c-chews-30g-60-chews). Our food is very high quality, and we recommend avoiding many chain store mixes, as low quality fillers affect the health and vitality of your pets.
How Does Sydney’s Weather Affect Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs are most comfortable between 18°C and 23°C, so Sydney’s hot summer days are a real danger to them.
According to the RSPCA (https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/will-my-guinea-pigs-be-affected-by-heat/), heat stress can start at 24°C and is most common above 28°C. On hot days, move your guinea pigs indoors or to the coolest spot available, out of direct sun, and give them shade, plenty of fresh water and frozen water bottles wrapped in a cloth to lie against. If you’re dropping off or collecting a guinea pig in summer, travel in the cool of the morning and keep the car air conditioned. In winter, keep their hutch out of cold winds and rain, and add extra bedding.
Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to surrender a guinea pig?
Our guinea pig surrender fee is $45 per guinea pig, paid when you drop them off in store. It goes toward the cost of feeding, housing and caring for your guinea pig while we find them a new family, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Is there an adoption fee to take home a rehomed guinea pig?
Yes, adoption fees for our rehomed guinea pigs run from $25 to $40, depending on the guinea pig. This helps cover the cost of their care with us. Call or come into Birdsville to see which guinea pigs are currently available and their individual pricing.
Where can I surrender a guinea pig in Sydney?
You can surrender a guinea pig at Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney, run by Birdsville at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria. Call (02) 9669 1766 first to check we have space, then book a drop off time. The surrender fee is $45, and we never euthanise a healthy guinea pig.
Can I bring in a sick or injured guinea pig for rehoming?
We’re not able to take in guinea pigs that are sick, matted or injured, as Birdsville isn’t a veterinary clinic. If your guinea pig needs medical attention, please get them seen by a vet first. Once they’ve recovered, we’re happy to help find them a loving new home.
Do I need to book an appointment to rehome my guinea pig?
Yes, please call ahead before bringing your guinea pig in. Our small animal facility can only take a limited number of rehoming guinea pigs at a time, so phoning first means we can confirm there’s space and set up an appointment that works for you.
What should I bring when rehoming my guinea pig?
Bring your guinea pig in a secure box or carrier, along with any food or accessories they’re used to, as these are often handy for other animals too. An optional info sheet with their name, age and personality, plus a favourite toy, helps their new owner settle them in faster.
Will my guinea pig be treated for parasites before being rehomed?
Yes, every guinea pig that comes through Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney is wormed and treated for mites as part of their time with us. This, along with a proper diet and a period to settle in, helps make sure they’re healthy and ready before being rehomed.
Get in Touch With Guinea Pig Rescue Sydney
Visit us at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, with parking right out the front, or call (02) 9669 1766. You can also email info@birdsville.net.au. We’re a small, independent team looking after plenty of animals (and people!) every day, so emails can take us a little while to answer, but we always reply. We’re open 9:30am to 5:30pm weekdays, 10am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday, with directions on our Contact page (https://birdsville.net.au/contact-birdsville/).
Follow us on TikTok ([ADD TIKTOK LINK]), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BirdsvilleRosebery/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/petsvillesydney/) for live updates on our rehoming guinea pigs and stories from the rescue.
Going away? We also offer rabbit and guinea pig boarding (https://birdsville.net.au/rabbit-and-guinea-pig-boarding/). Looking for a baby guinea pig instead? See our Guinea Pigs for Sale page ([ADD GUINEA PIG SALE PAGE LINK]).
Sources
Guinea pig heat stress and temperature range: RSPCA Knowledge Base, Will my guinea pigs be affected by heat?
Rehoming process, fees, diet and care: the Birdsville team
Product details: Petsville product listings
