About Me

Hi, I’m Emily Ristuccia, a 17-year-old guinea pig rescuer in Arlington, MA. My journey with guinea pigs began when I was nine years old, after adopting my very first pair. What started as a childhood love for animals quickly grew into a lifelong commitment to their care and welfare. I began fostering through the MSPCA, where I gained hands-on experience working with a couple of abandoned/neglected guinea pigs. Today, I run my own independent rescue operation, responding to Craigslist listings, abandonment cases, and owner surrenders, and over the past eight years, I’ve cared for over 50 guinea pigs, many of them sick, malnourished, and neglected. 

In addition to my rescue work, I run a boarding service designed to give guinea pigs a safe place to stay while their families are away. Every guest stays in a spacious, clean C&C cage lined with soft bedding and stocked with unlimited hay, daily fresh vegetables, and plenty of enrichment and interaction. I pride myself on learning each pig’s unique personality so they feel comfortable, calm, and cared for throughout their stay. Everything I do, whether it’s rescue or boarding, is driven by one goal: improving the lives of guinea pigs. 

When I’m not managing the rescue, I’m probably at track practice, studying for school, or hanging out with my friends. If you’re looking to board your guinea pigs, adopt, learn more about care, or support my work,  I’d love to connect. Thanks for visiting my site and for caring about guinea pigs as much as I do!