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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

She lost a grandson and dozens of guinea pigs in a house fire; today, she runs a Massachusetts sanctuary caring for nearly 400 abandoned guinea pigs

Massachusetts Salisbury

She lost a grandson and dozens of guinea pigs in a devastating house fire in 2019. Years later, Kimie Smothermon is running a Massachusetts sanctuary where hundreds of guinea pigs now depend on her every day. At the Guinea Pig Sanctuary in Salisbury, between 350 and 400 guinea pigs are housed at the facility, with many more living in foster and hospice homes. What began as a family effort to help abandoned guinea pigs grew into a full-time rescue operation after Smothermon's grandson Alex developed a bond with the animals. Today, volunteers clean cages, care for sick animals and help find suitable homes for guinea pigs surrendered by owners who can no longer look after them.

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