Shelter Renovations

Chuffnut Cavies Rescue Shelter (Australian Cavy Sanctuary Melbourne Shelter) has been rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming Guinea Pigs for almost 8 years. We value these little animals enormously, and will continue to promote responsible pet ownership and appropriate care for guinea pigs in the Melbourne Region. We extend our help to the wider world where possible, and are keen to continue doing the best that we can for these amazing animals.

The number of animals needing our help continues to climb, yet with our personal funding streams having all but dried up, and we continue to try holding our heads above water paying ongoing and ever-mounting vet bills, as well as food and bedding costs.  

Without an income stream, the shelter renovations have remained unfunded and continually pushed off until later. For the sake of every precious guinea pig that enters this shelter, the renovations can provide a much more functional, hygenic, comfortable space for the animals in our care. The improved comfort and improved functionality will mean less time juggling and more time caring and rehoming. That means more guinea pigs can then be helped.

We are desparate for the following renovations:

1. concrete floors in all 3 rooms of the shed, as well as the courtyard (est. $2200 - based on $32/sq.m)

2. wall and ceiling insulation (est. $700 for aircell - best heating and cooling)

3. new/replacement internal wall cladding (est. $300)

4. electrical wiring throughout, with more powerpoints and better light fittings (est. $1200 - we are hoping to convince our friendly local electrician to provide his services at a much discounted rate :D  )

5. walls, doors and windows on the new extension, and extra windows on the older section (est. $400 - we have most of the windows and materials, just need some beams, battens and fastners)

6. new fencing around the courtyard - we have the materials, simply need the helping hand/labour! (est. $150 for rapidset concrete, nails, few extra boards and hired help!)

The total cost of renovations will probably extend to $5000 or more, but we will endeavour to match $ for $ on all donations, and we will finish off the works with painting, sealing the floors, installing the powerpoints etc.