My Story
Program VS Personal
My name is Jordan Heritsch, and I am a young entrepreneur with over 5.5 years of experience in guinea pig breeding. While this may not seem long, it has been an incredible journey to refine my breeding lines and improve my program. Guinea pigs are truly wonderful animals, and it brings me immense joy to receive such positive feedback on the pets I raise.
I specialize in both pet and show-quality guinea pigs, producing a variety of long- and short-haired breeds. All of my baby guinea pigs are handled daily from a young age, ensuring they develop friendly, social personalities. They are not just breeding stock—they are my pets, and I take great pride in every one I raise. I am confident in providing you with a healthy, sweet guinea pig that will be a wonderful addition to your family. From their unique colors and patterns to their affectionate temperaments, I’m proud to say my guinea pigs will be the best you’ll ever own.
Outside of breeding, I am a student-athlete, deeply involved in playing and coaching volleyball, and I am committed to continuing my volleyball journey at the collegiate level. I am also an animal lover, having grown up with a variety of pets including dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, hermit crabs, and frogs. I surround myself with animals and take great care in providing the best for them.
In addition to my passion for animals, I have a vision for a career in graphic design, focusing on web design! I currently design and manage my entire website and aspire to turn this skill into a professional career. Coaching and breeding guinea pigs are both passions I plan to continue in the future.
As part of my commitment to animals, I also run a rescue program, which I operate out of the kindness of my heart. While I don’t receive donations or profit from the sales of rescued guinea pigs, I find great fulfillment in helping these animals find loving homes.
My Program
Small4Paws is home to some of the most outstanding guinea pigs you will come across.
I breed both pet and show-quality lines of Coronet, Silkie, Peruvian, Texel, and Teddy guinea pigs, with occasional Abyssinian and Sheba mixes. All of my baby guinea pigs are handled daily from a young age, ensuring they develop the sweetest personalities. I take immense pride in my breeding program, and I am confident in providing you with a healthy, friendly, and well-socialized guinea pig. From their unique colors and patterns to their affectionate temperaments, I am proud to say that my guinea pigs will exceed your expectations.
My adult guinea pigs are never over-bred. Typically, they are placed in carefully selected forever homes after producing four litters. I personally choose these homes to ensure they will always receive the best care. Additionally, I remain a resource for you after the adoption, available to answer any questions you may have.
When you purchase a guinea pig from me, you receive personalized guidance and invaluable information about their care. This is not just a transaction—it's a commitment to a living, breathing animal. If, at any point, you feel that your guinea pig isn’t the right fit for you, before or after the adoption, I am more than happy to welcome them back and find them a new home.
Adoption Policy
Age Requirement: You must be 18 years or older to adopt a guinea pig. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must complete the application and be present at the time of adoption.
Payment Policy: All animals must be paid for in full at the time of pickup. No exceptions. When purchasing a guinea pig, the deposit you place to HOLD the Guinea pig until pickup is NONREFUNDABLE. It is ALWAYS half the purchase price.
Right to Refuse Sale: We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any sale at any time. If we decide to cancel a sale, you will receive a full refund. This is the only circumstance under which a refund will be issued.
Non-Refundable Deposits and Payments: All deposits and payments, including those for boarding reservations, are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions. This policy also applies to reservation fees; once a reservation is made, it cannot be transferred to another animal. Please ensure you are fully committed to your choice before making a reservation.
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Payment Methods: Payments can be made via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or by check sent through the mail. A non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of 50% of the purchase price is required. All deposits and payments are final, with no exceptions.
No Refunds: No refunds will be issued under any other circumstances.
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Photo Updates: You will receive at least one updated photo of your guinea pig until the designated pick-up date. Due to the high volume of daily communications, I kindly ask that you refrain from requesting additional photos. While it may seem like a small request, it becomes time-consuming when handling over 20+ families daily. This time is better spent caring for all the guinea pigs. We appreciate your patience and understanding and will provide updates as soon as we can.
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Health and Well-being: The well-being and health of the guinea pigs are our top priority. Occasionally, babies may need to stay with me past four weeks. This is to ensure they are gaining the appropriate amount of weight and eating independently. If this is the case, I will notify you as soon as possible.
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Health Policy
Health Assurance: I guarantee that all guinea pigs for sale are healthy to the best of my knowledge at the time they leave my care.
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Condition of Sale: No guinea pig showing signs of illness or infection will be sold.
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Post-Sale Responsibility: Once a guinea pig leaves my care, I am no longer responsible for its health or any associated veterinary bills.
Pickup & Transport
Local Pickup Only: Guinea pigs cannot be shipped. All pickups must be done locally. You are welcome to drive from any distance to pick up your guinea pig.
Delivery Options: I can meet within a reasonable distance, depending on my schedule. The cost for this service is $1.00 per mile I drive, with exceptions possible.
Ground Transport: I am willing to work with ground transport on a reasonable timeline. Ground transport must be arranged by the buyer and must pick up directly at my door. Please note that my space is limited, as the guinea pigs are housed in my residence.
Closed Facility: My facility is closed to visitors to ensure the safety and health of my guinea pigs and other animals, as well as the safety and privacy of my family. No inside visits are allowed under any circumstances. It is all weather permitting. You must have a deposit placed to come and meet available piggies. However, I am happy to provide pictures and videos of the guinea pigs.
Appointment Policy: If you are more than 15 minutes late without notice, I cannot guarantee that your appointment will still be valid, and you may need to reschedule. Please respect my time and treat your pickup appointment as you would any other important appointment. Failure to meet at the arranged time and place will result in the forfeiture of your deposit and the guinea pig.​
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Rehoming Policy
Return Policy: If, for any reason, you are unable to continue caring for your guinea pig, the guinea pig must be returned to my care. This ensures that all animals are provided with proper care and a safe environment.
Rehoming Contract: As part of the adoption process, you are required to sign a rehoming contract. This contract states that you agree to return the guinea pig to me rather than rehoming it yourself. This policy helps maintain the well-being and safety of the guinea pigs.
No Rehoming: Under no circumstances should the guinea pig be rehomed, given away, or sold to another party. The return policy applies regardless of the guinea pig's age or condition.
Contact Information: If you need to return the guinea pig, please contact me directly to arrange the return. I am committed to ensuring that all guinea pigs bred under my program are placed in loving, responsible homes.
Breeding Policy
YOU MUST TELL ME IF YOU BREED CAVIES AND INTEND TO OR OTHERWISE WILL BE GIVEN A PET CONTRACT.
Pet-Only Agreement: The owner agrees to strictly adhere to a no-breeding policy for the guinea pig purchased from the breeder. The guinea pig is to be kept exclusively as a pet and shall not be bred under any circumstances.
Prohibition of Breeding: This policy includes prohibiting intentional breeding, accidental breeding, or allowing the guinea pig to come into contact with any unneutered guinea pigs of the opposite sex. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the guinea pig is not exposed to breeding conditions.
Legal Consequences: The owner acknowledges that violation of this policy will result in legal action. The owner agrees to cover any costs incurred by the breeder as a result of the violation. This includes, but is not limited to, legal fees and any expenses associated with the enforcement of this policy.
Purpose of Policy: This no-breeding policy is in place to ensure the health and well-being of the guinea pig and to maintain the integrity of the breeder's program. It is essential for controlling the population and preventing health issues associated with irresponsible breeding.
Pricing Policy
​Price Range: Prices for guinea pigs in my breeding program start at $70 and can go up to $150. The final price is determined based on factors such as color, gender, breed, and the demand for specific breeds.
Variable Pricing: Prices are not guaranteed and may vary depending on the unique characteristics of each guinea pig and market demand at the time of sale.
Pre-Birth Estimates: I can provide a rough estimate of prices prior to birth, based on expected characteristics. However, the final pricing will be determined after the guinea pigs are born and assessed.
Post-Birth Pricing: All guinea pigs will be posted with their final prices after birth, once their specific traits have been evaluated.
