Avalon Guinea Pig Rescue Animal rescue service in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Zoe Hall

"I’ve had a lot to do with this rescue which have taken in a few piggies I’ve managed to rescue from awful situations 💖💖 they have beautiful set ups that I’ve seen and spent time with the pigs in…..the guinea pig care is the number one priority! Every single pig I’ve taken I’ve been able to visit, they DO quarantine New pigs and have the Faculties to do so which is lovely, I’m quite poorly (god forbid anything happens to me) the only place I would like my 8 pigs to go would be Shaz and her lovely team! Shaz is the kindest soul and lives to care for animals! They are also happy to advise people about the care of their pigs, always happy to help….Avalon recently saved the life of a pig I transported from Sheffield without them she would have 100% died…..amazing rescue and wonderful people💖💖💖 pic attached of guinea pigs life they saved last week and she is currently thriving in the care of Shaz❤️"

Luq Hobbs-Iskandar

"The team that run Avalon Guinea Pig rescue have very high standards and big hearts. Their rescued guinea pigs have lots of room, lots of hay and lots of healthy snacks. They never say no to a guinea pig in need and will even dip into their own pockets to ensure no guinea pig gets left behind. We have adopted several guinea pigs from Avalon and can always call upon the rescue for advice and guidance. Avalon is supported by an excellent vet, who helps to maintain the rescues high welfare standards. Avalon takes in holiday boarders to support the rescue. Piggies have their own private hutches and are looked after extremely well."

The Murray’s

"We have adopted from Avalon many times over the years. Shaz and the team work tirelessly to make sure the Guinea pigs are well looked after and get the very best homes for them. They are a fabulous rescue. Highly recommended"

Lucy Armitage

"Firstly please pay no attention to any negative reviews you may read, people are able to leave malicious false reviews without being verified as ever being at the rescue, which is disgusting that it’s allowed and Google will not remove! Heartbreaking for any business or charity!Secondly I became involved for the first time with Avalon, after my husband and I were able to collect unsold fruit/veggies from supermarkets last year. I had never visited or met Shaz before this. We visited Avalon several times, on different days and at different times. Never once did we see anything but immaculate well cared for happy Guinea pigs.The boys and girls have separate huge sheds, kitted out with toys, tubes, hides, mounds of hay to frolick in and plenty of space for zoomies or to chill separately should they want a nap! Each shed has numerous squeaky clean water bottles, bowls and bowls of nuggets and muesli and in summer there are air conditioners running to keep the pigs cool. There are separate “nursery cages” for pigs that arrive at the rescue pregnant and Shaz houses sick/under observation pigs in her home in separate cages.Shaz also offers separate holiday boarding to help towards the never ending rescue costs and the pigs are given the same love and attention they get at home. Immaculate hutches, endless food and plenty of fuss and attention. Many boarders are now repeat visitors year after year, which wouldn’t be the case if Avalon was anything but excellent! Should I ever need boarding I will be using Avalon for my pigs.I was also fortunate enough to be able to adopt two Guinea pigs from Avalon last year. I contacted Shaz after my daughter was heartbroken that one of her pigs had to be put to sleep. Shaz had picked out the most amazing pig with such a friendly curious nature, to match both my daughter’s age and energy, but also which perfectly slotted into our herd as she was so relaxed. We couldn’t help ourselves with so many beautiful pigs needing homes, we took a second pig! Shaz puts the pigs needs first, so will naturally ensure that pigs are matched to homes/other pigs personalities and not merely picked by colour and looks.Having read other negative reviews on here I can confirm Avalon absolutely do not breed Guinea pigs and never have, they just rescue a huge number of pigs that have been purposely bred or ignorantly kept in mixed sex groups. I can also confirm Avalon absolutely would never willingly adopt out a sick pig, however Guinea pigs are prey animals and are exceptionally good at hiding any number of ailments, so you could buy/adopt a Guinea pig from anywhere to find later there could be a health issue. And finally in response to reviews that have commented on Shaz personally being unfriendly or unprofessional, I would like to say she has set up this rescue and been running it from her own home 99% single handedly for decades. She has taken in over that time thousands of Guinea pigs. She runs the rescue in addition to her own employment and her time is not unlimited. She receives dozens of phonecalls and emails daily from people wanting help rehoming Guinea pigs they can no longer be bothered to take care of after taking on that responsibility, friends of the rescue that have come across numerous Guinea pigs weekly that needs saving urgently and several people that enquire about adopting a Guinea pig, many many time wasters and many people whom expect to walk in to a pet shop type setting and choose a cute little pig out of a little plastic cage. This is a real life rescue and people should be respectful of the trauma, neglect and deaths that this wonderful lady has to deal with everyday and still finds the strength to keep turning up for the Guinea pigs. Shaz is an Angel!"

emily hamilton

"Lovely rescue! been a few times with my mum the piggies are kept in beautiful condition and i always get to see them when i visit. Shaz and the staff are always friendly and kind and ive learnt so much about guinea pigs from them would highly recommend adopting a guinea pig from here as they’re in great health and kept perfect condition 💗"