Little Dolittle - Small Animal Boarding & Home Visits

28/03/2025

Daffodils are poisonous to dogs if they eat the bulbs or flowers, or drink the water from the vase.

They can cause diarrhoea and vomiting and make them very sleepy and wobbly. They may also have fits/seizures.

28/03/2025

A new customer recently contacted us to arrange a visit to view our boarding facilities. After a look around, she was very pleased with what we offered and happily booked with us!🐾

Are you planning a trip and wondering how to ensure your small pet is cared for in a safe, comfortable environment? Our latest blog shares all about our secure, enriching facilities and why a visit is an ideal way to see how we provide a perfect home away from home for small pets like guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and tortoises. 🏡💕

🔗 Check out the full blog here:
https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/post/visit-our-small-animal-boarding-facilities-see-the-difference-for-yourself

📅 Book a visit today!
https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/copy-of-pet-boarding

Are you planning a trip and wondering how to ensure your small pet is cared for in a safe, comfortable environment? Choosing the right boarding facility can feel overwhelming, but we believe the best way to ease your mind is to see it for yourself.We warmly invite you to visit our dedicated indoor r...

24/03/2025

🌷🐰 Springtime & Easter Risks for Small Pets 🐰🌷

As the weather warms up and we head into Easter, it’s important to keep our small pets safe from seasonal hazards. Here are a few things to watch out for:

1️⃣ Chocolate & Easter Treats

While we all love an Easter chocolate egg (or two!), remember that chocolate is highly toxic to many pets. Even though small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits are unlikely to eat it, accidents happen—so keep all Easter treats well out of reach!

2️⃣ Easter Grass & Decorations

Those bright plastic Easter basket fillers might look cute, but they can be a choking hazard or cause serious digestive issues if chewed. If you decorate for Easter, keep small pets away from anything they might nibble on.

3️⃣ Toxic Spring Plants

Spring flowers might brighten up your home and garden, but some common ones can be dangerous for small pets:
🚫 Daffodils – Highly toxic if eaten.
🚫 Tulips – Bulbs are especially dangerous.
🚫 Lilies – Extremely toxic, even their pollen can be harmful.
If you allow your pets to forage, always check what’s safe first!

4️⃣ Temperature Changes

Spring weather can be unpredictable! One day it’s warm, the next there’s a frost. If your guinea pigs or rabbits live outside, make sure they have adequate insulation on cold nights and shade on warm days. Sudden temperature changes can lead to respiratory issues.

5️⃣ The "Easter Bunny" Myth

Every year, rabbits are given as Easter gifts—only for many to end up in rescues a few months later. Rabbits need long-term care, space, and commitment. If you're thinking of getting a rabbit, consider adopting from a rescue instead of buying from a pet shop.

🌟 Spring is a wonderful time for small pets, with fresh forage and longer daylight hours to enjoy. By being aware of these seasonal risks, we can keep our furry friends safe and happy! 🌟

24/03/2025

Take a look at Jungle Jo's website - she's amazing and so knowledgeable! 🕷️🐢🦎

Educational animal displays for schools and children's parties. Covering all of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area

19/03/2025

Last week we had a very sad day - our 5 year old resident guinea pig, Boris took his last breath in my arms.

He was a loving and affectionate guinea pig who made wonderful friends with Chopstick, Henry and the girls and we will never forget him. He was the best lockdown guinea pig (during COVID) keeping me and Chopstick company.

Fly to the rainbow bridge and meet up with your old friends.

15/03/2025

❌Why Rabbits Should NOT Be Taken to Care Homes/hospitals etc❌

We’ve recently seen a post from another rescue proudly announcing that they are taking rabbits into care homes for visits. While we understand the desire to share the joy of these animals, we cannot ignore how irresponsible and damaging this is for the rabbits involved.

Let’s be clear—rabbits are not therapy animals. They are prey animals, and being taken into unfamiliar environments, handled by multiple people, and exposed to loud noises and strange smells is incredibly stressful for them.

Here’s why this is a welfare disaster waiting to happen:

🐰 Fear and Stress – Just because a rabbit isn’t struggling doesn’t mean it’s enjoying the experience. Many rabbits "shut down" in fear rather than fight back. This kind of stress can have serious consequences, including fatal gut stasis.

🏡 Rabbits Are Not Transport-Friendly – Unlike dogs, rabbits don’t "enjoy a day out." Being moved around frequently can cause extreme anxiety, leading to long-term health problems.

🖐 Too Much Handling – Rabbits are not cuddly toys to be passed from person to person. Even the most confident rabbit can become overwhelmed, and inappropriate handling (however well-intended) can result in injuries.

🦠 Disease Risk – Care homes are full of potential pathogens that could seriously harm rabbits. On the flip side, rabbits also carry bacteria that could pose a risk to vulnerable residents.

💔 True Welfare vs. Feel-Good Gimmicks – Taking rabbits to care homes might look heartwarming in a Facebook post, but at what cost? If the focus is truly on rabbit welfare, this kind of activity should never be encouraged.

At Estuary Small Animal Rescue, we prioritise the wellbeing of the animals in our care over what looks good for social media. There are plenty of safe and ethical ways to share the joy of rabbits—such as videos, photos, and controlled visits where people come to see the rabbits in a calm, rabbit-friendly environment.

We urge anyone considering this type of activity to stop and think: Is this truly in the best interests of the rabbit, or is it just about making people feel good? Because if it’s the latter, then it absolutely should not be happening.

Rescue means putting the animal first—ALWAYS.

15/03/2025

14/03/2025

⭐️UPDATE - FOUND A NEW HOME⭐️

Looking for a new home.

Number - Two (live together)
Species - Rats
Age - Just over 6 months old
Gender - Males
Name - Brad and Sean
Neutered - No
Diet - Science Selective Rat Pellets, fruit, veg, meat, seeds, nuts and boiled egg

Details:
Brad and Sean are brothers and they live really well together. They are very friendly and loved to be cuddled. The owner is hoping to find a new home where they can spend more time outside the cage and a large living space.

They will come with their own cage, food and equipment.

We will pass on your details to the owner if you are interested. Owner lives in Hucknall, Nottingham.

13/03/2025

Have you seen our new care sheets? We have separate ones for tortoises, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters which are probably the animals we care for the most. We plan to launch some more later this year.

If you go to our website, you will find them under resources:
https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/res

We would love your feedback on them. We also have them as a printed version. Next time you book with us, please let us know if you would prefer a hard copy.

12/03/2025

🏡 Boarding vs. Home Visits – What’s Best for Your Small Pets? 🐹🐰

When planning time away, choosing between boarding and home visits for your small pets can be tricky. While home visits work well for some, boarding offers round-the-clock care, social interaction, and a safe, enriched environment—perfect for pets that need more attention.

In our latest blog, we explore the benefits of boarding and why it might be the best choice for your little pets. 🏡✨

📖 Read more here: https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/post/why-boarding-is-a-good-choice-for-small-animals

For boarding prices, animals we can board with us and booking forms, please click here 👇
https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/pet-hotel

When planning a trip, owners of small pets often wonder whether to book a boarding service or home visits. While home visits can provide a familiar setting for your pets, boarding offers a safer, more interactive, and often more beneficial experience—for both you and your little pets. Here’s why...

11/03/2025

🐹🎸 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure… for nail trimming 🎸🐹

Today, we had the most bodacious visitors—Bill and Ted, two radical guinea pigs, who stopped by for a most excellent nail trim! ✂️🐾

At first, they weren’t sure if this was going to be a bogus journey, but once they realised there were snacks involved, they totally rocked out and let us work our magic.

Now, with their freshly trimmed nails, they’re ready for their next excellent adventure—whether that’s conquering the living room or having a jam session on a hay bale.

Be excellent to your guinea pigs, and trim their nails regularly!🤘🐹🐹 Check out full details/booking form on our website 👇

https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/guinea-pig-grooming

11/03/2025

Some beautiful budgies looking for a new home. Contact Urban exotics in Kirkby in Ashfield.

10/03/2025

Recent boarders and home visits, including some new faces ❤️

10/03/2025

Are you planning to go away at Easter? We have availability to look after your small animals while you’re on holiday.

We offer boarding and home visits for a number of small animals. Please check out the website for a list of animals we can look after for you:

https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle

If you would like to check dates with us, please message us either through our page or by using our enquiry forms.

https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/copy-of-pet-boarding

04/03/2025

18/02/2025

🎉Exciting News!🎉

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new Care Sheet Series to help you provide the best possible care for your beloved small pets!

Our first care sheets are now available for:
• Guinea Pigs
• Tortoises
• Hamsters (Syrian, Chinese & Dwarf)
• Rats

Whether you’re a seasoned pet owner or just starting out, our care sheets are packed with valuable information to help your furry, scaly, or shelled companions thrive!

And that’s not all—more care sheets are coming soon! Stay tuned for updates and visit our website to check out the care sheets now!

https://littledolittle1.wixsite.com/littledolittle/post/welcome-to-our-new-care-sheet-series

A big thank you to Sarah Taffe, Evoke Visual Creative Studio UK for creating the amazing care sheets 😁

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new series of care sheets, designed to help you provide the best possible care for your beloved small pets! Whether you're a seasoned pet owner or just starting out, our care sheets are packed with valuable information to ensure your furry, scaly, o...