Christina Hubbard immediately fell in love with guinea pigs when her son got two of the little critters.

"They have great personalities," Hubbard said. "They don't like to be picked up, but they can be petted and held. They like interacting with people and have lots of vocalizations. And when they're happy, they do a little popcorn dance — they hop around with joy."

Christina Hubbard / Special (ENLARGE)

Elise is an Abyssinian breed of guinea pig. Rescue groups exist to help out the little critters in metro Atlanta.

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In 2005, Hubbard, of Cumming, founded the North Georgia Guinea Pig Rescue, and has taken in about 150 piggies. She's even held a guinea pig festival called Georgia Pigstock to celebrate all things guinea pig.

She gets most of her unwanted guinea pigs from local rescues and animal shelters. But because she can't help them all, Hubbard sees her mission even more as one of education.

"I could have 250 piggies in my basement if I wanted to," said Hubbard, who's had up to 40 at a time. "But I just can't take them all in. That's why I need to help people understand how to care for them properly."

And properly does not mean the tiny cages many have. Hubbard said the smallest cage for a guinea pig should be 30 inches by 60 inches.

"It sounds huge because people are used to those cell-like cages they sell in pet stores," Hubbard said. "But guinea pigs need to be able to trot and get exercise."

Here's more information about these cute critters:

• Guinea pigs are herd animals, so they never should be kept alone. Hubbard will adopt only in pairs ($30), or a single pig ($20) to someone who already has one. And she said people need to be sure they are getting two of the same sex, or they'll end up with lots of little guinea pigs.

• Guinea pigs also need a good veterinarian, although it can be hard to find one familiar with piggies. And because they require a lot of care and cleaning, they don't make good pets for children under 13, Hubbard said. They also need a better diet than most people give them.

• "The foundation of a guinea pig's diet is hay, which is vital to their digestion," Hubbard said, adding they also need quality veggies, fruits and pellets, but should never be fed seeds.

Another local rescuer, Kimberlie Brooks, 15, of Lilburn, opened Kimmies Guineas Rescue after having guinea pigs for four years. The high school freshman has found homes for more than 100 pigs.

"They're little, but they have huge personalities and they're smart, too," Brooks said.

More Guinea Pig Information:

• www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA412.html

• www.kimmiesguineasrescue.com

• www.cavycages.com

• www.guinealynx.com.