Present some love for guinea pigs at ‘Cu-pig’ adoption occasion

As you in all probability heard this week, the groundhog noticed his shadow, which in line with legend means six extra weeks of winter.

These of us residing in Southern California, the place spring is starting to bloom, could not care a lot. However for folks, like my son, residing in New England the place temperatures dipped to single digits final week, this isn’t excellent news.

Fortunately for them, it seems that Punxsutawney Phil solely will get it proper about 40% of the time. That means, the groundhog is extra usually improper than proper. As a result of let’s face it, what attainable connection may there be between a groundhog’s shadow and the climate?

Nonetheless, Groundhog Day is a enjoyable custom, and it provides slightly superstar to an order of animals that may use some good PR: the rodent.

Whereas predicting the climate will not be within the rodents’ ability set, rodents have many redeeming qualities, and a few are extremely gifted.

Magawa, a well-known rodent accountable for saving numerous lives in Cambodia, was memorialized in worldwide information final month.

An African big pouched rat educated to detect land mines, Magawa detected greater than 100 unexploded land mines throughout his lifesaving profession. His work was crucial, as land mines left from a long time of battle in Cambodia have precipitated tens of hundreds of casualties.

The HeroRAT initiative, a nonprofit program that works throughout Southeast Asia and Africa —coaching rats to detect land mines and tuberculosis — described Magawa as essentially the most profitable participant in this system. Magawa was honored with a gold medal in 2020 by a British charity that acknowledges civilian animals who’ve proven true bravery and distinctive devotion to obligation.

In america, our animal heroes are typically canines, such because the rescue canines who helped save lives when the Twin Towers collapsed, and on a regular basis heroes, like information canines for the blind.

Magawa is a reminder of the intelligence of all sorts of animals, together with rodents, and the way they enrich our human expertise.

Rodents are an essential a part of our ecosystem, and plenty of rodents, like hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and sure, even rats, present companionship as pets.

At Pasadena Humane, we absorb many “critters” in want of loving properties. In February, we’re selling guinea pigs in time for Valentine’s Day with our “Cu-pig” adoption occasion on February 12.

Guinea pigs are docile pets, nice with youngsters, have a number of character, and “pop” when they’re excited, repeatedly leaping up and down. “Popcorning” is a habits distinctive to guinea pigs and plenty of enjoyable to observe.

For extra data on Pasadena Humane’s guinea pig adoption occasion, please go to pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions can be obtainable for $5, with housing included. This occasion is by appointment solely. Appointments can be launched at 10 a.m. February 9.

As for groundhogs, they could not have potential as pets or climate forecasters, however they make nice architects. Their underground burrows can stretch from eight to 66 toes lengthy and embody a number of “rooms” with completely different functions, together with a bed room, nursery and loo. These burrows assist aerate the soil. And who knew, groundhogs are nice at whistling, too.

So, the subsequent time you consider “rodent” or “rat” as a foul phrase, please take a second to recollect Magawa and admire the marvel of our animal kingdom.

Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.