Learning more about cavies

I have received 9 guinea pigs in the past week! I took three from Metro Animal Services and 6 from a rescuer in Indiana. Thanks to a dear colleague and Dr Missy Jewell at Almost Home Animal Clinic, three of the cavies are in treatment for illnesses associated with neglect. Guinea pigs are known for being resilient to disease, this is one reason they are popular with scientific and cosmetics testing labs. These three pigs were rumored to be headed towards a lab when they were rescued from a hoarder.
All three had lesions on their feet bad bedding and wet cages. One of them has an upper respiratory infection that had blocked one of her nostrils, and since guinea pigs are "nose" breathers, she could have suffocated. They also had species-specific lice and communicable ringworm. I currently have them isolated from the other cavies in order to treat these illnesses.
Someone asked me in a very quizzical way "Why do you care about them?" I have several reasons. First of all, they are perhaps one of the gentlest of all pets domesticated by people (of which there are only about 20- can you name them?). They were raised for food and their pelts in Ancient Peru. They rarely bite and make lively noises that are very soothing. They also eat hay and that reminds me of horses. Finally, I stopped fostering cats and dogs because my own pets were not comfortable with sick and unstable animals entering their pack. The guinea pigs are unobtrusive and enjoy interacting (while strictly supervised) with my other pets. Finally, since I can't foster other animals, I feel like I am saving a small population of animals from euthanasia and rehabilitating pets for my community.
I am disturbed that the major pet store chains claim to be animal welfare oriented and still sell these pocket pets for a profit. I could keep them stocked year round with unwanted rabbits and guinea pigs, just from accidental breedings, hoarders, and relinquished pets. When I approached one store about it, they said they would take my cavies but would have to sell them for profit with their other livestock. More education is needed. That's why I am keeping these blogs!