When Brigette Brouillard needs a break from screens and her daily work with animals, she heads out for a trail run.
Three miles into one of her runs, she noticed something unusual just off the path: a large cardboard box sitting alone. Curiosity pulled her closer, and she decided to take a look inside.
To her surprise, the box contained six small creatures, some covered in fur and others completely bald. Though Brigette had set out to escape her animal-care routine, these vulnerable beings had somehow found their way to her.
As Executive Director of Second Chances Wildlife Center, a nonprofit focused on wildlife rehabilitation and education, Brigette was uniquely equipped to help.
These animals couldn’t have landed in better hands.
Six Guinea Pigs Left Alone In The Park
Brigette spotted the box, open and tipped on its side, and her instincts told her to investigate.
Thankfully, she did. Had she passed it by, the animals inside might not have survived on their own in Kentucky’s Cherokee Park.
“I looked inside and it took me a minute to process. Six adult Guinea pigs!! No people in sight. Someone had dumped them!” she wrote in her Facebook post.
Inside the box were six Guinea pigs, a mix of furry and hairless types. The bald ones, known as Skinny pigs, are smaller and require more food due to their faster metabolism.
Guinea pigs aren’t native to Kentucky, and Brigette knew they wouldn’t last long without help. They were at risk of starvation or being harmed by predators or dogs.
“Perhaps they were hoping someone would find them, or thought they would be OK at Cherokee Park,” Brigette said. “Whatever the case, I took the box and walked off of the trail.”
The box was bulky and heavy, so Brigette flagged down a passerby for assistance. A kind stranger gave her a ride back to her car, along with her “six talkative guinea piggies.”
Though likely confused by the sudden change, the animals were safe and no longer alone.
New Families For Six Rescued Companions
Brigette brought the Guinea pigs home and gave them food, treats, and care.
Thanks to her extensive network, she quickly found loving homes for all six. Her social media post about the rescue drew attention from people eager to help.
“Now I have six guinea pigs at my house waiting for their forever home peeps to pick them up. I have found all of them awesome homes and we may keep two. What is the luck that it happened to be me that ran past these little gals?” she wrote.
Knowing Guinea pigs thrive in pairs, Brigette made sure each adoption included a companion.
“All guinea pigs are in their new forever homes. They went to amazing families with experience and none of the piggies had to go by themselves,” she wrote in her updated post.
These six little animals, once abandoned in a box, are now beginning new lives filled with care and companionship.
