July 31st 2024.
When Jme Eglington went through a painful separation, he found comfort in an unexpected place. While most people might turn to drinking or drugs in a time of distress, Jme turned to something quite different – guinea pigs. The hair stylist recalls how these small furry creatures helped him through one of the most difficult times in his life. "I don't know what I would have done without them," he says, as he stands in front of a tower of rosette-covered hutches, gently stroking his prize-winning golden-honey haired pet. Jme now has 80 guinea pigs at his home, and he shares his story alongside other guinea pig enthusiasts in the new Netflix documentary, The Keepers of The Pigs, directed by journalist Sharon Walia.
After his divorce, Jme threw himself into caring for guinea pigs, believing that they had a special healing property. He started with just a couple of hutches in his garden, but his furry family quickly grew. He even became a judge at guinea pig shows, which allowed him to travel across Europe. "They're like Pringles," he jokes, "once you start, you just can't stop."
But it wasn't just the solace that these pets provided that helped Jme through his tough time. He also found a new community of friends within the guinea pig world. These small animals, also known as "cavies" in Latin, have been domesticated for thousands of years and have recently gained cult status after being featured in the hit TV show Fleabag. There's even a guinea pig cafe in London where customers can enjoy a cup of tea surrounded by guinea pig-themed decor.
Sharon, the director of The Keepers of The Pigs, was inspired to make the documentary after a segment she did about Avalon Guinea Pig Rescue went viral. She explains that there has been a new wave of popularity for guinea pigs, with many social media accounts and videos dedicated to them. However, with this popularity also comes a rise in negative aspects such as hoarding and neglect. Sharon wanted to tell all sides of the story and shed light on the lesser-known aspects of the guinea pig world.
In the film, Sharon delves into the competitive world of guinea pig shows, where owners go head to head to determine the Best in Show. But her most gut-wrenching experience came when she visited Peru, a country where guinea pigs are not seen as pets, but as food. At an Incan festival, locals sang songs and chanted in honor of these small but mighty rodents, before they were deep-fried and sold at nearby food stalls. Sharon, a vegan, received criticism for including this aspect in the documentary, but she believes it is important to tell the whole story. She also discovered that the guinea pig industry provides vital employment for many women in South America, and even spoke to a mother who was able to send her children to school thanks to the profits from farming guinea pigs.
While in South America, Sharon also learned about an innovative use for guinea pig poo – turning it into compost and gas. This environmentally-friendly method is less taxing on the land compared to using the excrement of larger animals, and has been successful enough for one family to power their entire home with it. They even have enough energy left over to sell as compost or liquid plant feed to their community.
Through The Keepers of The Pigs, Sharon not only highlights the unique and often unseen world of guinea pig enthusiasts, but also sheds light on important issues such as animal welfare and sustainable living. As Jme and others like him have discovered, these small creatures have the power to provide comfort, community, and even a little bit of magic in our lives.
When Jme Eglington went through a difficult divorce, he turned to an unconventional source of comfort. Instead of resorting to alcohol or drugs like many people do in tough times, he found solace in the company of guinea pigs. The hair stylist fondly recalls how these small creatures helped him get through the painful period of his life. In fact, he believes that he wouldn't have made it through without them.
As Jme speaks, he stands in front of a tower of rosette-covered hutches, gently petting one of his 80 guinea pigs. These furry animals have become a big part of his life, and he even shares his home with them. Jme's story is just one of many that are featured in the new Netflix documentary, The Keepers of The Pigs. Directed by journalist Sharon Walia, the film explores the unique relationships that people have with guinea pigs all over the world.
After his divorce, Jme threw himself into taking care of guinea pigs. He even became a judge at shows, which gave him the opportunity to travel across Europe. He describes these animals as being addictive, saying "they're like Pringles, once you start, you just can't stop." But for Jme, it wasn't just about having a new hobby. The guinea pigs also provided him with a new community of friends within the guinea pig world.
Guinea pigs, also known as "cavies" in Latin, have been domesticated for thousands of years and are one of the oldest pets in the world. In the UK, the oldest guinea pig remains were found at an Elizabethan manor in Essex dating back to 1575. These cute and cuddly creatures have gained cult status in recent years, with their appearance in popular TV shows like Fleabag and even having their own themed cafe in London.
Sharon, the director of The Keepers of The Pigs, was inspired to make the documentary after a video she did for a regional channel went viral. She explains that guinea pigs are experiencing a new wave of popularity, with many videos and social media accounts dedicated to them. However, with this popularity comes a dark side, as there has been an increase in hoarding, neglect, and abandonment of guinea pigs.
Sharon herself has three guinea pigs, named Nugget, Sweep, and Brule. In the documentary, she delves into the world of guinea pig superfans and the competitive show scene, where owners compete to determine the "Best in Show." But the most heart-wrenching part of her filming journey was when she visited Peru, where guinea pigs are not kept as pets but are instead eaten as a delicacy.
At an Incan festival, Sharon witnessed how locals sing songs and chants dedicated to the guinea pig before frying and serving them at food stalls nearby. For Sharon, who is vegan, this was a difficult experience to film, and she has received criticism for including this in the documentary. But as she explains, it is impossible to tell the whole story of guinea pigs without mentioning Peru, and she also wanted to shed light on the positive impact that the guinea pig industry has on the lives of many women in South America.
One such example is Carmen Felipe-Morales, who has found a way to turn the microorganisms in guinea pig poo into compost and gas. This sustainable method is less harmful to the environment compared to using manure from larger animals like cows or goats. Carmen and her husband Ulises Moreno have nearly 1,000 guinea pigs, which provide them with enough energy to power their home and even sell excess compost and plant feed to their community.
In the documentary, viewers can see how Carmen's guinea pigs power their stove, gas-powered bulbs, and even an electric generator for their TV. It is an impressive feat that showcases the resourcefulness and ingenuity of these small animals. For Carmen, her guinea pigs have not only provided a source of income but have also helped her send her children to school.
Through The Keepers of The Pigs, viewers can see the diverse and often unseen world of guinea pig enthusiasts and the impact these small animals have on people's lives. Whether it's providing comfort in tough times, creating a tight-knit community, or even powering a home, guinea pigs continue to captivate and fascinate people all over the world.
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