On Caring for Small Things

How four rescue guinea pigs changed everything

I'm DD Hammer, artist and founder of Coquina ArtHouze. I didn't set out to become a guinea pig rescuer.

I went to the pet store for fish food. Walked out with a scared little guinea pig someone had abandoned in a cage outside the store six weeks earlier. Her name is Suki, and she changed everything.

That was the end of October 2023.

By mid-2024, I had four: Rae, Bebe, Blondie, and Suki (the OG).

They came from a hoarding situation and needed placement immediately. I chose one, found out she was bonded to two others, and couldn't bear to separate them.

So here we are.

Suki the rescue guinea pig - first guinea pig rescued by DD Hammer

Here's what most people don't know about guinea pigs:

They eat hay 23 out of 24 hours a day. If they don't, they can die from a condition called GI stasis.

They need daily nutritional pellets, Vitamin C supplement, fresh veggies, and fresh bedding changes every 2-3 days to avoid health issues. This last part, if you see videos on YouTube, you'd think it's a breeze...not so in real life.

They require exotic vets—not regular vets. That means:
- $100-120 per guinea pig for a basic check-up
- $260 per cavy for bloodwork
- X-rays, surgeries, emergency visits? $600+ 🤯

And because mine are rescues and I have no idea how old they are, where they came from, or what conditions they endured, they can't be insured. Health issues can appear unexpectedly, especially as they age.

There are no rescue discounts. No shortcuts.

Just daily care, regular vet visits, and a whole lot of bedding, pellets, and hay!

Bebe and Blondie bonded rescue guinea pigs from hoarding situation

Guinea pig in clean bedding - proper rescue animal care by Coquina ArtHouze

Rae the rescue guinea pig enjoying enrichment toys

A large portion of every Coquina ArtHouze purchase already goes toward their care.

But vet bills add up fast.

Your donation helps cover:

Veterinary care (check-ups, bloodwork, treatments)
Food, hay, and bedding
Vitamin C supplements and fresh veggies
Nail trims and enrichment toys (critical for dental health)
Emergency care when it's needed (which becomes more frequent as they get older)

If I'm fortunate enough to have excess funds, I'll support other guinea pig rescuers doing this work—and someday soon, I hope to expand my own rescue efforts under the name GuineaCavyCuy.

Rescue guinea pig close-up showing healthy coat after veterinary care

Why this matters to me (and to CAH)

Guinea pig eating fresh hay - daily nutrition for rescue cavies

Making art is about noticing what others overlook. Creating space for things that deserve to be seen.

Rescuing guinea pigs? It's the same thing.

They're small. They're quiet. They're easy to ignore.

But they're also vulnerable, full of personality, and worthy of care.

Taking care of my munchkins has taught me more about showing up—consistently, even when it's hard—than almost anything else. It's grounding. It's humbling. And honestly, it keeps me sane when the rest of life feels like too much.

Art is how I process the world. Caring for these little creatures is how I stay present in it.

DD Hammer holding rescue guinea pig - artist and animal rescuer

Help me show up for them

Whether it's $10 for hay or $100 toward a vet visit, every donation makes a difference in the lives of Suki, Rae, Bebe, and Blondie.

Your donation helps cover:

- Exotic veterinary care for rescue guinea pigs (check-ups, bloodwork, treatments)

- Daily food, Timothy hay, and fresh bedding

- Vitamin C supplements and fresh vegetables

- Nail trims and enrichment toys (critical for dental health)

- Emergency veterinary care when needed (more frequent as they age)

You can also shop the Amazon Wishlist for supplies (bedding, toys, veggies, supplements) or grab something from the CAH shop—because every purchase supports their care too.