Gold Coast’s fundraiser first a Pig Day Out for pet lovers

THE Gold Coast’s first Pig Day Out will be held on Sunday and it’s expected to attract hundreds of loyal followers.

Alex Winterford is the founder of the Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue.

THE Gold Coast’s first Pig Day Out will be held on Sunday and it’s expected to attract hundreds of loyal followers.

And no, it’s not a grungy music concert or a meeting of pig farmers. Pig Day Out will be a fundraiser for the Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue, which has fallen foul of Gold Coast City Council regulations, and has to move.

“The council doesn’t want me to close down because I provide an essential service but they want me to move,” avid guinea pig lover and rescue founder Alex Winterford said.

She said the council had an issue with her running a registered animal rescue in a rental property in the residential area of Southport.

“We have 130 guinea pigs on our books, most of whom are with foster carers while we look for a new location. ,” Ms Winterford said. “So, I am on borrowed time and it’s essential I move as soon as possible,” she said.

She said she was looking for a property at Oxenford, Upper Coomera or Nerang, which was in an area zoned for commercial, industrial or rural use.

She has been caring for abandoned guinea pigs since 2004 and the Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue Facebook page has almost about 5500 followers.

The fundraiser will, which will be held in the Sails by the Sea hall in Marina Cres, Runaway Bay, and should attracthundreds of guinea pigs and their owners. The event has already had more than 500 ‘likes’ on the Facebook page and there will be 26 competition categories for guinea pigs, including best long-haired and short-haired, and cutest., crazy hair and the guinea pigs that look the most like their owners.

Ms Winterford has also entered the Sunsuper Dream competition to win $5000. which she will spend on the new rescue if she wins.

For more details about the fundraiser, go to Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue on Facebook and to vote for her by April 30. And also visit sunsuperdreams.com.au/dreams/user/alex-winterford-1