Film may put critters in false light
Movie: Some fear ‘G-Force’ may increase stray guinea pigs

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Published: July 24, 2009

LOS ANGELES — The Disney movie "G-Force” shows a squad of specially trained, computer-generated guinea pig spies coming to the world’s rescue. After the movie comes out, though, animal activists say it will be real-life guinea pigs who need rescuing.

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Some guinea pig rescue groups have already posted pleas to those who might rush out to buy the furry little rodents. "I can tell you, every single rescue in the United States and abroad took a look at that movie trailer and said, ‘Oh God, here we go,’” said Whitney Potsus, vice president of The Critter Connection Inc. in Durham, Conn.

The Orange County Cavy (AKA guinea pig) Haven in Costa Mesa has already posted urgent Internet pleas to parents asking them to say no when their children beg for guinea pigs, because the animals are too fragile for young children.

It’s happened before. Some call it ‘101 Dalmatians syndrome,’ after the live-action Disney movie that sent thousands rushing to buy the black-and-white spotted pups. When the dogs failed to act like those in the movie, families gave them up, breeders said.

The popularity of Chihuahuas soared after "Legally Blonde” and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and when Taco Bell featured one in an ad campaign. Ferrets were the animal of choice after "Along Came Polly” and guinea pigs after "Bedtime Stories.”

In "G-Force,” which opens today, Agents Juarez, Darwin and Blaster drive cars, parachute, use blowtorches, swim, talk, walk on two legs, live in tanks with mice and rats and use hamster balls, Lyn Zantow, a volunteer for the Orange County group, warns on her Web site.

In real life, guinea pigs are noisy, eat and poop all the time, require big and clean cages, don’t swim and can be expensive to care for if they get sick, she said, adding that they should be kept out of the hands of young children.

"We can only hope … parents will all do their research before bringing any critters home. Otherwise, when the novelty wears off, rescues everywhere are going to have their hands full with surrenders,” Potsus said.

A guinea pig can scare or startle easily and if a child doesn’t have a good hold, it will run off. "Guinea pigs can’t jump,” said Fenella Fpeece, president of Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption Inc. in San Diego.

A fall, even from a sofa, will paralyze them, and then "they are probably as good as dead.”

She is worried about the big plastic balls used in the movie and sold in pet stores. They are made for hamsters and mice, she said. "Guinea pigs don’t have flexible backs and they don’t go in wheels.”

They also have delicate digestive systems. "Kids get distracted. If you forget to feed it, it’s done. Its little life is over,” Fpeece said.

She has already been asked if she has a guinea pig that looks like one of the agents.

And ads on Craigslist are offering "‘G-Force’ type guinea pigs. I am really worried,” she said.

Activists say there are several waves of worry ahead: when the movie debuts, when it comes out on DVD and when the novelty wears off.

About 795,000 homes have guinea pigs as pets, according to the American Pet Products Association. Volunteers from most guinea pig rescue groups will beef up opening weekend public education programs in an effort to prevent impulse buys, said Susan Lee, director and CEO of the Costa Mesa group.

For "G-Force,” a statement will be posted on the movie’s Web site and on other promotional materials, advising viewers to be responsible and research any pet "to make sure that it is suitable for your particular situation” and consider adopting from a shelter.