My entire family is going on vacation to the beach in a couple of weeks and I have 12 guinea pigs that I don't know what to do with. I can't bring them with me because of the space they take up and I don't know what else to do. I was going to call our vet's office and see if one of the secretaries could sit for us but the other day my friend had asked if she could pet-sit for us if we ever went out of town. Would this be a good idea? She's under 16 years old (not going to specify for safety reasons) but her mom will be with her, and I am under 16 as well and I am the only one who takes care of the pigs, so being that we are near the same age I don't want to underestimate her just because she is young (like I am). She has two dogs and has had a hamster before, so she has had a little bit of experience. She LOVES animals and she loves my piggies. She came over to my house the other day and seemed to be very careful in handling them, but I don't know if that will be the same if I am not here and I am really really nervous in leaving them at home without me. I also need help in knowing how to prepare for whoever it is that sits for us. What specific instructions should I give her/him and what should I leave behind or write down? I have only been on vacation twice since I got my first guinea pig (May 17, 2013) other than when I went to visit my grandparents for a few days and my mom stayed to care for them, and those two times I actually brought them with me because it was for a week, so I am extremely nervous with leaving them without any family members or anyone who knows them at all in the slightest. Oh and whoever ends up sitting for us only needs to sit for 3-4 days because the beach trip is for an entire week but my dad is coming home after the first weekend because he has to work. So my dad can change the cages if they need them by that time and all the sitter would have to do is feed them and make sure they have water for a couple of days, as well as letting them run around my room so they can get exercise. I'm probably more worried about said person being irresponsible and thinking that they know better than I do and doing thing their way or wanting to constantly hold and pet them and not do it properly, thus injuring them (or possibly their relationship with humans and with me). Hopefully this actually makes sense to you. Anyway please help me know whether I should get my friend to pet-sit or if I should get a vet secretary, what I should write down for whoever it is and how I should prepare, and it would be awesome if you had any tips for me too