During a busy rush hour at London’s Canning Town subway station, commuters hustled past one another — focused on their trains, their destinations, their day. But amid the blur of movement, something unexpected stopped people in their tracks: a lonely pet carrier sitting quietly on the platform.
At first, passersby glanced at it curiously, unsure what to make of it. But when station staff went to investigate, they noticed a piece of paper taped to the top. The message, written in just seven words, was enough to stop anyone cold:
“I need a new owner. Guinea pig.”
There was no explanation. No name. Just that small, heartbreaking sentence.
Inside the carrier was a small, fluffy guinea pig — white and brown, barely a year old, wide-eyed and waiting.
The staff immediately contacted the RSPCA, and Inspector Shahnaz Ahmad arrived on scene to help.
“He seemed healthy and well cared for,” Ahmad said in a statement. “It’s very sad that someone has abandoned their pet in this way.”
The little guinea pig, soon named DiscoPig, was taken into the RSPCA’s care, where he’s since been thriving. His story touched hearts all around, and now rescuers are working on finding him a companion — because guinea pigs, by nature, are highly social animals.
“Guinea pigs are not meant to live alone,” Ahmad explained. “They can become lonely, even depressed, without the company of another guinea pig.”
Thankfully, thanks to alert commuters and quick-acting staff, DiscoPig is now safe and loved — with a future far brighter than the platform he was left on.
Soon, he’ll be adopted into a forever home, with a new guinea pig buddy by his side — and the second chance he deserves.
