TWENTY-ONE today - that's how many guinea pigs staff at the RSPCA Ashley Heath animal centre discovered, when they opened two noisy boxes which suddenly appeared at their shelter.

A member of staff was alerted by the loud squeaking noise, which came from the two boxes which had been placed at the side of the building.

Now they're trying to find out who dumped the furry creatures, and are asking everyone who visited the shelter last Friday, between 1pm and 2pm, to contact them to try and discover the person's identity.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Story said: "They had been put up the side of the building so it was obvious the person who left them didn't want to be seen, although they must have wanted the guinea pigs found.

"A member of our staff discovered them, but if they'd been left any longer, they could have been squashed by a visitor's car."

Insp Story says the guinea pigs appear to have been well cared for but would like their former owner to come forward so that the RSPCA can learn more about them, and how they have been looked after.

"As it is, they'll have to spend at least three weeks with us while we find out if they are ill, or if any of them are pregnant," she said.

She is hoping that anyone who has noticed that a neighbour or friend has suddenly got rid of their guinea pigs will ring in.

"They don't have to leave their name, just call our national line on 08705 555777," she said.

If the guinea pigs aren't reclaimed, they will be put up for adoption after veterinary checks.

"We sometimes get animals dumped here. We've had dogs tied to the gates, and we get cats abandoned in boxes.

"But it's quite unusual to get so many of one type of animal dumped at once," she said.

Look out for more animal stories in Saturday's feature-filled Magazine, which is free with the Daily Echo.