The Disney movie G-Force shows a squad of specially trained, computer-generated guinea pig spies coming to the world's rescue. In the hit movie's wake, however, animal activists say it may be real-life guinea pigs that will need rescuing.

Some rescue groups have posted pleas to those who might rush out to buy the furry little rodents.

``I can tell you, every single rescue in the United States and abroad took a look at that movie trailer and said, `Oh God, here we go,' '' said Whitney Potsus, vice president of The Critter Connection in Durham, Conn.

The Orange County Cavy (aka guinea pig) Haven in Costa Mesa, Calif., posted urgent Internet pleas to parents asking them to say no when their children beg for guinea pigs, because the animals are too fragile for young children.

(Florida has guinea pig rescue groups in Bradenton and Gainesville. Fort Lauderdale's Abandoned Pet Rescue, www.abandoned-pet-rescue.com, lists guinea pigs among the animals with which it deals.)

Some call it 101 Dalmatians syndrome after the 1996 live-action Disney movie that sent thousands rushing to buy the black-and-white spotted pups. When the dogs failed to act like those in the movie, families gave them up, breeders said.

The popularity of Chihuahuas soared after the movies Legally Blonde and Beverly Hills Chihuahua and when Taco Bell featured a talking one in an ad campaign. Ferrets were the animal of choice after Along Came Polly and guinea pigs were in demand after Bedtime Stories.

In G-Force, which opened No. 1 at the box office last weekend, Agents Juarez, Darwin and Blaster drive cars, parachute, use blowtorches, swim, talk, walk on two legs, live in tanks with mice and rats and use hamster balls.

In real life, Orange County rescue volunteer Lyn Zantow notes on her website, guinea pigs are noisy, eat and poop all the time, require big and clean cages, don't swim and can be expensive to care for if they get sick.

``We can only hope . . . parents will all do their research before bringing any critters home,'' Potsus said. ``Otherwise, when the novelty wears off, rescues everywhere are going to have their hands full with surrenders.''

A guinea pig can scare or startle easily and if a child doesn't have a good hold, it will run off. ``Guinea pigs can't jump,'' said Fenella Fpeece, president of Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption in San Diego. A fall, even from a sofa, can break their backs and then ``they are probably as good as dead.''

Fpeece worries about the big plastic balls used in the movie and sold in pet stores. They are made for hamsters and mice, she said. ``Guinea pigs don't have flexible backs and they don't go in wheels.''

They also have delicate digestive systems.

``If you forget to feed it, it's done. Its little life is over,'' Fpeece said.

About 795,000 homes have guinea pigs as pets, according to the American Pet Products Association, based in Greenwich, Conn.

Disney is aware of the power of its movies, and works to promote a strong pet responsibility message, a studio spokeswoman said. For Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Disney made sure most of the animals in the movie came from shelters and each was adopted when the movie was over.

For G-Force, a statement posted on the movie's website and on other promotional materials advises viewers to be responsible and research any pet ``to make sure that it is suitable for your particular situation'' and to consider adopting from a shelter.

Potsus, who has four guinea pigs, hopes parents will fudge a little to protect the animals.

``We hope parents will use money or time as an excuse,'' she said. ``We like to think the bad economy would cut down on some impulsive decisions.''

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