Couple Rescues Abandoned Guinea Pig During Nature Hike

Carolyn McCabe and her partner, Conor Keeling, set out for a casual nature hike in the woods near Chicago in August 2023, never expecting they’d come across an abandoned pet. Early into their walk, they spotted what looked like a small white puffball, only to realize it was a guinea pig. These rodents, commonly kept as pets, are native to South America and not typically found in the wild in North America.

The couple knocked on nearby doors, hoping to find the guinea pig’s human, but no one claimed the animal. Believing the guinea pig had likely been abandoned, they decided to rescue him. The couple named him Quinn and carefully transported him home in their frisbee bag, keeping him comfortable with apples along the way.

Once home, they made Quinn as cozy as possible, placing him in their bathtub with a soft towel and providing fresh salads from their backyard. McCabe and Keeling quickly grew attached to their new furry friend, enjoying their time caring for him. However, McCabe soon realized she was allergic to Quinn, breaking out in hives whenever she cuddled him.

Reluctantly, the couple contacted One Tail at a Time, an animal rescue shelter. Fortunately, Quinn found a new home with a family that had recently lost one of their own guinea pigs. Although it was difficult for McCabe and Keeling to say goodbye, they were happy knowing Quinn had found a loving home.

The story of Quinn’s rescue became a viral sensation on TikTok, with McCabe’s video amassing over 100,000 likes. Viewers were touched by Quinn’s journey, with many commenting on his sweet and “rotund” appearance. Others shared similar stories of finding abandoned guinea pigs, revealing how common such rescues can be.

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