Guinea Pig Awareness Week to return in October
The theme for this year's GPAW will focus on guinea pig stress management.
Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) is to return for its fifth run in 2025, this year taking place in October.
The welfare initiative, which usually takes place in September, will return from Monday 20 October 2025 to Friday 24 October 2025.
Throughout the week, GPAW will be on the theme of ‘Comfort, Care and Companionship’. It will seek to highlight the importance of stress management in maintaining guinea pig welfare.
The initiative will see content shared by leading veterinary professionals and behaviourists to address the significance of stress to guinea pig welfare. It will also provide guidance for how owners can improve their health outcomes and longevity.
It will again be hosted by Burgess Excel, in collaboration with the RSPCA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen and Raystede.
Suzanne Moyes, in-house veterinary surgeon for Burgess, said: “Guinea Pig Awareness Week has grown from strength to strength each year and is a much-needed opportunity to support guinea pig owners in better understanding their pets.
“This year, we’ve zeroed in on stress and we want to support people to recognise the signs of stress in their guinea pigs, create a peaceful, enriching home environment, handle their guinea pigs safely and ensure they have the companionship they need.”
On 10 September 2025, Burgess Excel is also hosting its second Guinea Pig Welfare Forum (GPWF). Held at the Crowne Plaza in Birmingham City Centre, the event will gather expert speakers to discuss guinea pig health, behaviour and welfare.
The event will be chaired by John Chitty, an RCVS advanced practitioner in zoological medicine, who will also speak at the event.
Other confirmed speakers include:
• Abi Edis (registered veterinary nurse)
• Alison Wills (lecturer, University of Central Lancashire)
• Mary Coles (PhD researcher, University of Liverpool)
• Lauren Fenton (registered veterinary nurse)
• Paul Betchley (head of zoological and park operations, Beale Park)
• David Griffiths (senior animal welfare officer, Winchester City Council)
• Rik Cridland (founder, HayPigs!)
Image © Shutterstock
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
