Palos Heights Police Rescue 4 Guinea Pigs Tossed In Dumpster

PALOS HEIIGHTS, IL — Palos Heights police rescued four guinea pigs that someone tossed into a dumpster last week near 75th Avenue and College Drive on July 28.

A witness saw someone throwing the piggies into the dumpster and called the Palos Heights Police Department. Officer Dave Delaney, Cadet Matthew Kroll and Community Service Officer Matthew Murray, the son of a veterinarian, jumped in and got them out of the dumpster.

The good folks at Critter Corral Guinea Pig Rescue came and bailed the piggies out. The guinea pig rescue group was founded in 1999 to find homeless and unwanted guinea pigs new, loving homes. The girls won't be up for adoption for about two months, and two of them might be pregnant.

The average lifespan of a guinea pig is five to eight years. Originating from the Andes in South America, piggies do best when living with one or more other pigs. They are a major time commitment. Too often, when their novelty wears off, guinea pigs are banished to a basement or room away from the love — and action — of their family. They end up dying of loneliness or neglect, or else they're let go in parks, where they're likely to get killed by a dog or other animal, or die exposed to the elements.

Critter Corral advises that people considering getting a guinea pig adopt instead of shop. Volunteers foster the piggies in their homes. Critter Corral has lots of cute piggies available for adoption on PetFind.org. If you’re interested in adopting a guinea pig, email adoption@crittercorral.org.

Animal lovers can also donate to Critter Corral’s summer fundraiser on GoFundMe. Since 1998, Critter Corral have taken in over 5,300 homeless, unwanted guinea pigs.

Meanwhile, Palos Heights police would like to find out where the piggies came from. Anyone with information is asked to call 708-448-5060.