Hundreds of guinea pigs fill Massachusetts sanctuary with squeals, purrs and lots of love
Kimie Smothermon’s sanctuary takes in abandoned guinea pigs from across the U.S. and houses 350 to 400 animals on any given day.
- Kimie Smothermon operates the Guinea Pig Sanctuary in Salisbury, Massachusetts, roughly 40 miles north of Boston, housing nearly 400 guinea pigs in a modest, floor-to-ceiling workspace daily.
- The operation began when Smothermon's grandson, Alex, found comfort in guinea pigs after a childhood accident; a 2019 fire destroyed their New Hampshire home, prompting relocation to Massachusetts.
- Fielding calls from across the U.S., Smothermon waives surrender fees for owners in need and recently received requests for 11 pigs from Illinois, seven from Texas, and 97 from New York.
- Volunteer Janet Woodman notes guinea pigs' sensitivity, while Smothermon, who names residents Maui and Rio, says "If I dont get up, they dont eat and they can die."
- According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo, guinea pigs from South America were domesticated in 5,000 B.C.; Smothermon notes they must be adopted in pairs and cannot thrive in cages full time.
33 Articles
33 Articles
How this Massachusetts sanctuary takes in hundreds of guinea pigs from across the U.S.
Depending on who you ask, tending to the daily barrage of guinea pig needs can be either a fairy tale or a horror show. For Kimie Smothermon, it’s often a mix of both. The post How this Massachusetts sanctuary takes in hundreds of guinea pigs from across the U.S. appeared first on Boston.com.
How this Massachusetts sanctuary takes in hundreds of guinea pigs from across U.S.
Kimie Smothermon runs the Guinea Pig Sanctuary in Salisbury, Massachusetts, caring for nearly 400 guinea pigs. Each day is a mix of chaos and joy as volunteers tend to the animals. Smothermon's operation is one of the few in the…
Ottumwa Courier
How this Massachusetts sanctuary takes in hundreds of guinea pigs from across the US
Kimie Smothermon runs the Guinea Pig Sanctuary in Salisbury, Massachusetts, caring for nearly 400 guinea pigs. Each day is a mix of chaos and joy as volunteers tend to the animals. Smothermon's operation is one of the few in the…
One guinea pig helped her son heal. Now she has to feed 400 every day, running America's biggest Guinea Pig Sanctuary
“If I don’t get up, they don’t eat and they can die," said Kimie Smothermon. "If I could figure out how to get out of this ... I probably would."
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