Yesterday evening, Marias Animal Shelter in Probus received a call from someone who had found a cage with two white guinea pigs inside.

The cage had been left in the woods close to Pendennis castle, with the doors open.

Maria arranged with the caller to leave the cage in a safe location so that she could go and bring them back to the shelter.

Unfortunately, by the time Maria arrived at the cage, it appeared an animal had beaten her to it - with the cage a little damaged and only a piece of white fur left inside.

Maria put a post on Facebook appealing for people who lived in the area to look out for the guinea pigs in the hope that they may still be alive.

It was around 7pm when Maria received a call from a resident who's dogs had unfortunately chased and killed the guinea pigs.

Maria, the owner of Marias Animal Shelter, told Nub News:

"It's extremely upsetting and sad.

"I just wish they would have contacted us. It is extremely rare we ever say no to someone, especially with guinea pigs, they're so easy to look after and care for."

Maria says that there has been a boom in people adopting during the coronavirus, which has meant that her shelter has more than enough room for people who no longer want their guinea pigs.

"Because people have been home with nothing to do, they have been wanting animals. We have been busier with people trying to adopt than people bringing them in," she explained.

Maria says this is a huge difference to the beginning of the year, continuing:

"It was the opposite in January. We were so overwhelmed with the number of animals that were coming in, we were struggling to cope.

"In January alone we had sixty-four animals come into the shelter in one period and a lot of them were coming in poorly, it was horrific."

The shelter has been extremely strict with their adoptees, and makes sure that they are serious about the longterm investment of their animal.

Maria stated:

"We have been very strict regarding why they want to adopt now and make sure it will continue for the 8-12 years of that animal."

Residents were horrified with the news of the guinea pig's dumping, with many condemning the former owner's actions.

One resident stated:

"Hope whoever left them sees this post and feels absolutely awful about it. There is no need to abandon animals in the middle of nowhere, I've never understood it.

"If you really feel you have no choice then at least leave them somewhere obvious so they can be found and cared for."

Another resident said:

"This is just so upsetting. How could anyone be so bloody cruel?"

You can find out more about Marias Animal Shelter here.