Adoption Update: Charlotte

Charlotte was a very loved little guinea pig but unfortunately, her first pet guardian family were unable to keep her when they moved to a new apartment. Given the life circumstances and upheaval for all, the family’s grandma stepped in to care for Charlotte so she could work with us in our Rehoming program and ensure she found a safe, forever home.

We opened her Rehoming case at the end of 2024, but soon had space to welcome Charlotte as an adoptable guest at our Sanctuary. Since we opened Suzanne’s Place in 2024, a cottage dedicated to small animal guests, we have more options to house small pets in need instead of solely relying on our Rehoming program. We welcomed Charlotte to our Sanctuary in March 2025.

Prior to her arrival, Charlotte enjoyed some free roam time in the kitchen and the occasional hand-fed snack, but when she left her original home to stay with grandma, she couldn’t get as much dedicated bonding time. Grandma also had dogs to keep her busy as well, but Charlotte seemed to be fine safely in her habitat away from the pups. When she eventually arrived with us, we could tell she needed a little extra socializing time being held and trusting new people.

Since we had promoted Charlotte for adoption prior to her arrival to the Sanctuary, we had a few people interested in her already, but we also wanted to give her whatever time she needed to decompress after she was surrendered into our care. Like all of our pet guests, we look for cues that show us they are comfortable, like being out in the open when we come in to clean or socialize, taking treats from our hand, and not showing stress signals, like hiding when we enter the room.

When Charlotte started to come around for more social time, we started to introduce her to some of the other small animal guests! Her personality stayed a little shy, but she was always very sweet and easygoing! She started to enjoy being held by staff and volunteers, sitting quietly on your lap after being picked up. She even made an appearance at our first Paws, Claws, and Smalls Pet Resource Fair in Manchester, CT!

We also confirmed – she was vocal for fresh veggies! She would even tell you when she was finished and ready for more!

Getting to know our guests, we can pinpoint high value “likes” and observe their “dislikes” too! We got to know Charlotte as a kind soul, who would do well with lots of snuggly human time or may enjoy another female piggie friend. We saw that with a little patience at first, Charlotte will give you her world!

Since Charlotte started in our Rehoming program, we began promoting her for adoption before her actual arrival to the Sanctuary. All pets in our Adoption Program get the same marketing and promotion, such as this ad for Charlotte published in the Rare Reminder.

As interest generated throughout the community, our Adoption Counselors received a lovely application for a single guinea pig girl. The engaged applicants had previous guinea pig experience, 4 piggies throughout their lives, and had found a wonderful exotic vet that had full confidence in the couple adding a new guinea pig companion. We were sent pictures of the habitat, set in a main area for lots of affection and bonding, but quiet places to retreat as well. Any new piggie would be set up with fluff and fleece, tubes and tunnels, and of course a variety of favorite foods and snacks.

Our Adoption Team created a Meet and Greet with the couple and Charlotte, feeling as though she would be a really nice match for the couple seeking one piggie. It was clear in meeting, their guinea pig companions are a true priority in their lives. They met with all of our piggie guests, and as we suspected really took a liking to Charlotte. Charlotte even enjoyed being held during the meeting.

Always asking applicants to “sleep on it” before making the big commitment, but we felt confident that Charlotte would not only be a spoiled princess in the best way, but also cared for medically if she ever needed. When we heard the couple wanted to move forward with adopting Charlotte, we gave her a little going away feast and excitedly got her adoption folder together.

Pretty in pink, Charlotte made her way home!

After only one week, the couple reached out to say, “We wanted to take a moment to tell you that Charlotte had such a wonderful first week with us!  She is so perky, snuggly, and chatty, and she’s totally comfortable letting us know when more lettuce would be appreciated!  She definitely knows she’s in her forever home, and we love her so much!  I hope that all is well with you and all of the OC cuties!”

Over the summer, young Charlotte got spayed as recommended by her new vet and recovered wonderfully. We were told the summer was filled with cuddles, lap time, and snuggling on the couch with mom – zoomies in her villa, popcorning, and vocalizing for her favorite snacks.

In a full circle moment, Charlotte was again featured in the Rare Reminder but this time as (Princess) Pet of the Week! Her fame lives on, in a frame in her new home!

Charlotte continues to do great and already has her two annual vet visits under her belt! She’s happy (well… she doesn’t love nail trims but that’s about all!), healthy, and her personality shines increasingly each time we hear from her family.

She is our little treasure and we are so grateful for her.

Charlotte and family will celebrate one year together at the beginning of April 2026! Cheers to a fantastic match, forever family, and more memories to make in the New Year!