SINGAPORE – A passer-by found more than a dozen guinea pigs, instead of takeaway food, when he unzipped two thermal food delivery bags left on the side of a road on Thursday.

Seventeen guinea pigs were abandoned without food or water, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said on Facebook on Monday. One was found dead under the bags.

The passer-by told SPCA: “I went to check the bags because I saw something furry. I was shocked to see a guinea pig’s face staring back at me.”

An SPCA animal rescue officer found 15 guinea pigs in the thermal bags at the scene on Thursday. They had been “drenched in the rain that had passed and were struggling in the sweltering heat”, the society said.

The dead guinea pig was surrounded by a swarm of flies, SPCA added.

The next day, the passer-by returned to search the area and found two more guinea pigs, according to SPCA’s post. The Straits Times understands that they had earlier escaped from the thermal bags.

SPCA said the guinea pigs would have had no chance of survival had it not been for the passer-by.

It added: “The guinea pigs had been abandoned without any provisions, putting them at risk of traffic accidents, wild animal attacks and exposure to harsh weather conditions.

“We are incredibly saddened and disturbed by this incident.”

SPCA executive director Aarthi Sankar said in response to ST queries that the remaining guinea pigs were taken to the society’s Community Animal Clinic for medical checks.

She added that eight are currently fostered by SPCA staff and volunteers until they are ready for adoption, and the other eight are being cared for by volunteer organisation Guinea Pig Rescue Singapore.

The volunteer organisation said some of the animals were pregnant and two baby guinea pigs were born under its care.

It was “deeply saddened” by the incident and it “strongly condemns” all acts of abuse towards all types of animals and pets, it added.

Ms Aarthi said the case has been reported to the authorities.

Ms Jessica Kwok, group director of the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), said on Monday that AVS was alerted and investigations are ongoing. She added that the AVS, which is part of the National Parks Board, takes a serious view of pet abandonment.

First-time offenders found guilty of pet abandonment can face a fine of up to $10,000, or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. Members of the public with information related to the case can contact AVS at http://www.avs.gov.sg/feedback or call the Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600.

Ms Aarthi said the SPCA has noticed a rise in abandonment cases over the years, especially for small mammals such as rabbits and hamsters.

“As many of these animals are not microchipped, it can be challenging to determine if they are lost or abandoned.”

Owning a pet is a lifetime commitment, she added. For those who are no longer able to care for their pets, it is their responsibility to rehome them.

If pet owners need assistance, they can seek help from the SPCA here.

“Please note that due to capacity issues, the SPCA may not be able to support every rehoming request immediately but is committed to providing the support you may need,” it said.