The RSPCA is urging animal lovers to consider rehoming smaller pet mammals – ‘small furries’ – as the charity experiences a 40% increase* in guinea pigs coming into their national centres.
As the RSPCA’s annual ‘Adoptober’ rehoming drive continues, the charity is encouraging people to visit its Findapet website and check out the ‘small furry’ pets, like mice, rats, chinchillas, ferrets and gerbils, as well as guinea pigs, who are in the RSPCA’s care but remain overlooked, unloved and homeless.
The charity fears overbreeding of guinea pigs, combined with the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis and a lack of owner knowledge about the species, is leading to an increase in the numbers of guinea pigs being given up.
It’s been 154 days and counting for three lonely guinea pigs Enzo, Raffaello and Ferrero who are still waiting for new owners, following their rescue from a home where there were 100-plus guinea pigs. They are being cared for at RSPCA Bryn y Maen in Conwy North Wales.
RSPCA Head of Companion Animals Dr Sam Gaines said: “We’ve seen a shocking 40% rise in the number of guinea pigs coming into our care so far this year and we’re urging animal-lovers to consider rehoming those and other ‘small furries’.
“From guinea pigs, rabbits and chinchillas to ferrets, gerbils, mice and rats, there are so many of these little animals in our care who are looking for new homes.
“Rabbits and other small furries can be very rewarding pets and given the right housing, socialising, diet and care they can become much loved members of the family. However, they can often be misunderstood as they have complex needs and need a lot of care and attention.
“But there’s lots of information on our website to help support new owners.
“Adopting may take a bit more time than buying but it is more rewarding as often you are rescuing that animal from a history of mistreatment or neglect. It also means we are freeing up space in our centres so more animals in need can move in to receive the care they need.”
The call for more people to adopt “small furries” comes as the RSPCA lends its support to Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) from 20-24 October, a national campaign aimed at improving the care of one of the UK’s most commonly owned, yet often misunderstood, pets. This campaign highlights the five key welfare needs of guinea pigs: environment, diet, behaviour, companionship and health. This year’s focus is on ensuring guinea pigs are kept comfortable, receive proper care, and are given the companionship they need to thrive.
Guinea pigs Enzo, Ferrero and Raffaelo are now at RSPCA Bryn y Maen.
Enzo, only born this year, is full of curiosity, mischief and has certainly found his voice especially when it is feeding time. The staff and volunteers are serenaded daily with lots of wheeks, natters and chatters when they enter his room.
Raffaello is an older boy at the ripe age of 8 years old although he still is very much young at heart, whereas Ferrero is believed to be around 4 years old. These two boys are an inquisitive pair who enjoy investigating and exploring their surroundings especially when they are given tasty foods and treats to find. They also really love serenading whenever they hear a crinkle of a veg packet!
It’s been a two-year wait for long-stay rabbits Winnie and Smudge, who bonded after a Christmas romance – but they still haven’t found a home. These sweet rabbits have very different personalities but have developed an inseparable bond. Cared for at the RSPCA Guildford & Epsom branch, they are very clean, often seen grooming each other and are litter trained.
Both are friendly and respond to their names. They are happy to take treats by hand and be stroked.
Winne is cautious. She will run, jump and kick and then settle to hopping gently around the garden. If she is exposed to anything new she will hold back until Smudge has checked it out. She will often be found organising the toys and furniture in the hutch/run. She takes the housework very seriously and helps when cleaning up!
Smudge is lively, playful and loves acrobatics. He is naturally inquisitive and confident. He is very comfortable with one of the resident dogs and is frequently seen nipping her tail for attention. His adventurous nature does get him into trouble and he has tried to escape the garden. His favourite pastime is eating and will often be found by your feet following you around the garden if he thinks
you have treats. Recently he has been spending a lot of time in his makeshift sandpit digging for gold. Smudge will be heard banging the food bowl on the ground to remind his humans to feed him.
A garden is essential for these rabbits as both have a lot of energy and love exploring. These two will provide adopters with loving companionship and hours of entertainment with their antics.
Long-stay mice, Pippin, Braeburn and Gala have been waiting for two years for a forever home where they can stay together! They had a difficult start to life but are now being cared for at the RSPCA Suffolk Central branch, .
These apple-named girls are full of life and curiosity and enjoy exploring their cage, foraging for food, and burrowing down for a long daytime sleep. All three of them have been given a clean bill of health and are ready to find a forever home where they can live a long and happy life.
Multimammate mice are on the bigger side compared to other mice and therefore a large space is essential to allow them to exhibit natural behaviours, and to keep them stimulated and happy. So they need a home that can provide them with a large and spacious tank, with enough depth for deep substrate for essential burrowing.
They enjoy each other’s company and rely on each other for comfort, and are often seen in the same bed snuggled together, so they won’t want a home where they will be introduced to other mice.
Adoptober: Every year, the RSPCA dedicates October to raising awareness of the amazing animals who are looking for homes in the charity’s centres and branches, after being rescued from heartbreaking cruelty and neglect. Each one is unique, special and deserves to feel the joy of being in a loving home.
Information about “small furries” and other animals in the care of the RSPCA who are available for adoption can be found on the RSPCA’s ‘Findapet’ webpage.
