Humane Society Has 50 Guinea Pigs Ready for Adoption

Families in Colorado Springs can adopt one to three guinea pigs for a flat $35 fee at the local shelter.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Dogs

Gouache-painted illustration of two small guinea pigs resting on hay, evoking a calm and cozy atmosphere for pet adoption.
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region has 50 guinea pigs available for adoption in Colorado Springs following a wave of surrenders. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak region currently has approximately 50 guinea pigs available for adoption following a wave of owner surrenders. These pets, which range in age from six months to 5 years, are looking for new homes in the Colorado Springs area.

Why it matters

The recent influx of animals occurred because owners struggled to identify the sex of their pets, leading to unexpected litters. The shelter is now working to find adoptive families for these pigs to manage the sudden increase in occupancy.

The shelter has 50 guinea pigs available for adoption, with a flat $35 fee for groups of one, two, or three animals. These pets range from 6 months to 5 years old, with some arriving in single-owner surrenders of up to seven animals at once.

The players

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak region

A local animal welfare organization that provides shelter and adoption services for pets throughout the Pikes Peak region.

The details

Shelter staff handle this influx by sorting the surrendered animals into individual or group cages based on their social needs and sex. Technicians prioritize keeping males in separate housing to prevent unintended reproduction, which was the primary cause of the owners original housing issues.

Timeline

  1. October 2026: Fifty guinea pigs became available for adoption.

The Home Front

Shelters across the country frequently see population surges when owners misidentify the sex of their small pets, leading to rapid, unplanned litters. Managing these spikes is a core component of local animal welfare operations in the Pikes Peak region.

If you are considering adding a small pet to your family, you can visit the shelter to meet the available guinea pigs. Be prepared for an eight-day average wait time for the adoption process to move from inquiry to move-in.

The takeaway

Unexpected litters often result from difficulties in correctly identifying a pet's sex, highlighting the importance of professional health checks for new small animals. If you have the space to adopt, contact the shelter to inquire about the current guinea pig residents.

Further reading

Learn more about local pet adoption programs at the Dogs section of our site.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Springs Gazette.

Live Poll

Would you consider adopting a small indoor animal like a guinea pig instead of a cat?