Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Stapleton – Guinea Pig Foster Extraordinaire

Jessica and Louie

At P.A.W.S. Hancock, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do, and few exemplify that dedication quite like Jessica Stapleton. Jessica has been volunteering with P.A.W.S. for almost three years, bringing joy, compassion, and a little bit of guinea pig magic to our small animal foster program.

Why Jessica Volunteers

Winnie - one of Jessica's foster pigs dressed for Star Wars Day!

Jessica’s love for guinea pigs inspired her to join P.A.W.S. “I am OBSESSED with guinea pigs. They bring me so much joy, so I jumped at the opportunity to foster them. Doing my small part toward the greater good,” she says. Her passion for animals doesn’t stop with guinea pigs—she shares her home with three dogs (Josie, Lulu, and Finn), a cat (Poppy), and two guinea pigs (Jasmine and Pua).

A Day in the Life of a Guinea Pig Foster

Jessica’s role is as adorable as it is important. She fosters guinea pigs and participates in small animal adoption events, often getting creative with props and costumes to help the animals shine. While fostering can feel like an “on-call shift 24/7,” she loves every moment of it.

“I absolutely adore fostering! My foster pigs have come from so many different situations—from hoarding to neglect cases to well-loved surrenders. I love being able to provide a soft place to land until we can find their forever homes. Each adoption is bittersweet, as I love them all, but it allows me to save more piggies.”

Memorable Moments & Challenges

The 4 baby guinea pigs at 2 weeks old.

Jessica recounts her first experience with a pregnant guinea pig, nervously witnessing her go into labor and give birth to four healthy babies. “Guinea pigs are born looking like tiny guinea pigs with hair, teeth, and open eyes,” she explains. “Although they do nurse, they are able to eat a regular guinea pig diet almost immediately—it was fascinating to see!”

Not all moments are easy. Neglect cases can be particularly challenging, requiring patience, compassion, and an ability to focus on the best outcome for both the animals and their former owners.

One story that stands out is her time with Louie, a guinea pig rescued from a hoarding situation. Initially “spicy” and wary, Louie eventually went to a home, but after two years he was surrendered and returned to Jessica. She recalls, “I was so excited to see him that I scooped him up and kissed all over his face—and he remembered me! He actually let me kiss his sweet little fluffy face.” Now older and a little less feisty, Louie still cracks her up with his back kicks and side-eye.

Impact & Lessons Learned

Volunteering at P.A.W.S. has profoundly affected Jessica. “It’s made me a happier person! My goal in life is to leave this world a little better than I found it, and volunteering allows me to do that.”

She’s also picked up some valuable skills along the way—like determining the gender of baby guinea pigs—and gained insight into the resilience and compassion of people who care about animals.

Advice for Future Volunteers

Jessica spent a ton of time working with Rocky and Izzy, an under-socialized pair of piggies, to help them gain confidence and trust people. Both of these boys found their forever homes and are happily living their best lives.

Jessica encourages anyone interested in volunteering to take the plunge. “Just do it! Start small, see what works for you. You’ll never know until you try, and it is SO rewarding.” She emphasizes the importance of perspective: focusing on the good and keeping an eye on the bigger picture, especially when fostering, allows volunteers to continue saving lives.

Looking Ahead

Jessica dreams of expanding her guinea pig foster space and eventually creating a guinea pig sanctuary. She’s excited about P.A.W.S.’s growth in the community and hopes to see advocacy for programs like TNR continue to flourish.

A Final Message

“If you love animals and want to make a difference, reach out to us. There are so many volunteer opportunities beyond the traditional roles. Come to us with your vision and your talent. Let’s see what we can make work for you!”

From tiny guinea pigs to dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes, Jessica Stapleton is proof that one person’s passion and dedication can create ripples of kindness and change.

Thanks for you all you do for P.A.W.S., Jessica!