WHEN you look at the cheeky, smiling face of this adorable little guinea pig you would never know the neglect he has experienced in his short life.

Meeko was among 80 guinea pigs and two dogs found living in ‘filthy, cramped conditions' in a one bedroom flat in Atherton by RSPCA inspectors last February.

He and fellow one-year-old smooth coat guinea pig Pascal are the only animals yet to be rehomed following the shocking case of neglect.

The guinea pigs were being kept in boxes on shelves in the lounge and in a shed outside and the RSPCA is hoping to give Meeko and Pascal a happy ending by finding them a 'fur-ever' home.

The RSPCA says that Meeko is an eligible bachelor who is looking for a female companion to live with.

He has been neutered, needs a spacious home and could live either indoors or outside.

Susie Hughes, manager at the Manchester and Salford branch of the RSPCA where he is being cared for, said: “Meeko is a cheeky boy who loves his grub – he is usually the first one chattering in the morning when the veg truck comes by.

“We would like to see him go to a home where he will have guinea pig girlfriends to live with, and we offer a bonding scheme to help any prospective owners introduce their pigs to any potential new additions."

The RSPCA says Pascal can be a little shy but once he gets to know you he is very sweet and loving and enjoys nothing more than a cuddle.

When the guinea pigs were rescued by inspectors in James Street, Atherton, their owner Valerie Seddon admitted that she did not know how many she had.

Earlier this year the 63-year-old was banned from keeping animals for 10 years, given a six-month community order, fined £50 and ordered to pay £700 costs following a trial.

She had pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the guinea pigs by not providing a suitable environment for them to live in.

Seddon denied the same charge relating to the dogs but a court found her guilty.

Anyone interested in providing a home for Meeko or Pascal should visit rspca.org.uk/findapet, e-mail rspcamcr_salford@btconnect.com or call 0161 882 0680.