Popcorn was only eight days old when he made the journey to Dane County Humane Society (DCHS)—so small he could barely fill a pair of cupped hands. Born unexpectedly to guinea pigs who had just been surrendered to a small, rural Wisconsin shelter, he and his siblings arrived in the world on New Year’s Eve with no certainty about what their future would hold. These babies needed more support and a better chance at finding loving homes, so they were transferred to DCHS. Even though Popcorn was very young, our veterinary team immediately noticed that he was especially friendly and easy to handle.
He was still too young to be in the shelter, so Popcorn and his sister were placed with a DCHS foster who would be able to give them the hands-on socialization and attention they needed while they grew big enough to be ready for adoption. Popcorn spent three weeks with his foster, who gave him space to decompress and grow in a warm, comforting environment before returning to the shelter to find a new family.
Thanks to his time with his foster family, Popcorn grew into a friendly, confident guinea pig. When he returned to the shelter, he quickly made an impression on everyone he met. Popcorn was sociable and full of personality, squeaking loudly whenever he was excited. When he represented DCHS at an event a few weeks after his return, he spent the entire two hours being held, snuggling up to strangers, and making noises of curiosity and happiness. It was clear that this little guinea pig already loved hanging out with humans!
Later that month, Linda walked into the shelter and met Popcorn for the first time. She had come looking for a new classroom pet for her second-grade students at St. Dennis School in Madison and instantly knew that Popcorn would be a great fit. Their beloved first guinea pig, Oliver, had recently passed away, leaving the children heartbroken but wiser after experiencing loss and saying goodbye through music, tears, and a heartfelt classroom funeral. When Linda met Popcorn, she knew he was the right guinea pig to help heal their hearts.
For the first six weeks after his adoption, Popcorn lived with Linda’s family as he grew big enough to thrive in the classroom. They gently introduced him to his new world, feeding him hay and pellets, wrapping him in soft towels, and letting him explore safely. He learned quickly that squeaking often earned him extra lettuce, and by mid-March, Popcorn was ready for his big move to his new home in Linda’s second-grade classroom.
The day Popcorn arrived at St. Dennis School, excitement buzzed through the hallways as Linda introduced her students to Popcorn’s new daily routine: each morning during the week, the students taking him home that weekend are responsible for taking care of him. They fill his pellet dish, give him fresh hay, check his water, and carefully scoop out his poop with a plastic spoon.
On Fridays, Linda packs up Popcorn’s “diaper bag” and sends him home with one of the students for the weekend. Inside the bag are all his essentials: hay, pellets, treats, towels, and even a small playpen for exploring. Each family also receives a special shared notebook where they write about their weekend adventures together, and it’s already brimming with stories, drawings, and fun facts about Popcorn. In the past year, Popcorn has gotten countless snacks of carrots and lettuce, watched movies, played in homemade forts, and practiced piano with the students in Linda’s classroom. He even got his own Easter basket full of treats!
Through caring for Popcorn, Linda’s students are learning empathy, patience, and responsibility while Popcorn enjoys the endless attention he deserves. For the second graders at St. Dennis, Popcorn is more than just a classroom pet. He has become the center of the classroom, a furry friend to talk to, care for, and love.
This #GivingTuesday, Popcorn’s story reminds us of the power of adoption for humans and critters alike. From a tiny guinea pig born in a shelter to a beloved classroom companion, Popcorn’s journey shows that even the smallest pets can make the biggest difference. Your donation gives animals like Popcorn the space to grow until they’re ready to find a loving home.
Happy #GivingTuesday from Popcorn and all the animals at DCHS!
