Tiny Paws, Big Hearts

30/04/2024

We are currently in progress of getting our society status for our rescue. 💕💕 it does look like however, that we will need to have a name change (too many tiny paws out there).

A society status will allow us to do many more fundraisers, working with pet food supply stores and much more so we can get off the ground. This will also allow us to start our field trips into schools!

Please consider helping us out to get the cafe up and running, which will in turn help fund the rescue on a continuous basis.

My main goal is the start up of a small animal rescue, rehabilitation and sanctuary of small animals (hedgehogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, etc.) called Little Critters Rescue. This rescue I also want to use as an educational centre for children, as well as families, on the Proper care of small...

01/12/2023

Sitting at the vet with Buns this morning, getting his eye looked at.
Looks like a bit of an eye infection.
A couple kinds of antibiotics to go home with.

https://www.givesendgo.com/tinypawsstartup

30/11/2023

Tux, also known as Buns, is having to make an urgent trip to the vet Friday morning with a rapid growth appearing on his eye.

Pls send up a little prayer for this cute lil man.
Will keep everyone posted.

28/11/2023

Tuesday highlight:

This lil guys name was Sir mr cuddles boo boo von Schmidt. We called him Boo.

He was our families first personal ‘rescue’ per say.
One of our daughters was doing through a tough health battle, and wanted a pet. I did not.

However, walking through the pet store, my eye caught on a tiny cage with this lil guy so afraid, shivering in a corner. He was a little piggy returned to the store, afraid and not sure of the world.
My heart instantly broke, and when my husband saw my heart breaking for this little guy, he too decided he was coming home.

Over The next 7 years, he was our family member. Not just a pet, but super loved.
Here’s the interesting part - he bonded with the daughter going through the health battle. His pen was in her room, and he would wake us up with a loud, panicked ‘wheeeeeek wheeeek’ if she started having issues through the night, needing our attention. Once we entered the room, he would stop. He would begin to sense her episodes before even she knew one was coming.

Mr boo became her medical alert piggy.
What a cherished pet, friend, and family member he became.

Sadly, he passed away at the age of 8.5 years.

28/11/2023

Just cookie helping the hoomans get in the Christmas spirit! 💕💕

24/11/2023

We are really needing to grow!!!

We are currently maxed out with any help we can give, both financially and space wise, but getting messages almost daily for helping rescue little critters in our area. We quite literally cannot take in any more at this time.

Please consider donating towards us getting our own space. There’s several ways to do it:

1. E-transfers (just message us for info),
or
2. https://www.givesendgo.com/tinypawsstartup
Or
3. Go on over to DragonFlydesigngp’s Etsy store (https://dragonflydesigngp.etsy.com) and purchase any sweater with an animal on it! 25% of the proceeds from those sweaters come our way!

Please share and spread the word!

This week, I got to take in a foster bunny "Tux" who was discarded into a dumpster, just because he was no longer wanted. This is not an isolated case - and sadly this happens each and every day with animals given as gifts, or simply because they no longer fit into a persons schedule. (I'm not ta...

13/10/2023

TUX the bunny is still looking for the Perfect Fur-ever home.

We would LOVE to find him a home where he has lots of room to run, as he does not do well being caged, but needs to be indoors where he can be warm and comfortable.

He doesn’t like the outside much.

He loves to be around people, but can get nippy and scratchy, so older children and adults are the best.

He gets along with the Guinea pigs and the cat, in fact we find he tries to be friends with the cat (my cat just is a jerk and is jealous of him)

Are you willing to be his FURever family?
Let us know if you think you would be a good fit!

06/10/2023

Ive had a few messages this week, with people asking how they can give to donate to our new Rescue bunny - or even the start up of our small animal rescue.

To give towards 'Tux', the new rescue bunny -
- E-transfers can be sent to [email protected]

To give towards the startup costs & further care of rescues,
donations can be sent via e-transfer to the address above, or the link here: https://www.givesendgo.com/tinypawsstartup

We are so grateful for your support.
Each and every donation is appreciated and goes so much farther than you know.

04/10/2023

A friend of ours came across a beautiful bunny abandoned by a dumbster.

Unsure of the gender yet, we are giving her/him time to snuggle and acclimatize to their new foster home before too much poking around.

But he/she is taking applications for a new FUREVER family.

What a snuggler. We are told that they just looove to lay and snuggle for quite a while.

This special bunny is litter box trained, and will be best as an indoor bunny, as I’m sure it has been an indoor bunny previously.

If you are willing to donate to the care of this gentle rabbit, or if you are wanting to apply to become its new FUREVER home, please DM us.

(We are located in Grande Prairie, AB)

30/08/2023

10/10/2022

💕💕 These critters are not only so helpful, but also incredibly adorable.

Respect possums! ❤

08/08/2022

Skunks are not only cute, fluffy and actually pretty useful! 💕💕

Mad that a skunk dug around in your yard? Don’t be— she likely did you a big favor! It takes one brave animal to raid the nests of wasps and ground hornets, but striped skunks are up to the task. A digging skunk is often in the middle of chomping up the larvae of stinging insects that dwell in the ground, often saving property owners from an upsetting surprise. Skunks are vital to our ecosystem and a treasure to have around!

10/07/2022

Hangin with this little guy tonight. 💕💕
He is waiting for his snack to finish cooking - yes, he loves chicken. We also learnt after buying him a whole stash of mealworms and crickets that He also prefers his meals cooked and not moving. Lol no way was he wanting to touch those … he’s kind of a diva - but Isn’t he just adorable?

Meet Spikey - he’s a few years old, and a charming little guy with strong perosnality.

Hedgehogs aren’t furry, and some of them are like Spikey, who doesn’t like to be petted, but he enjoys spending time with people if he can have a little freedom to explore. They can make great pets for people who have allergies and can’t have a cat or dog.

27/06/2022

I got the obsolute honour to visit Little Ray’s Sloth World - Edmonton this weekend - what a treat to see how they do things in their special Little Ray way.

Along with being an Exotic Pet Rescue, these guys have a Phenomenal educational presentation about the critters they rescue. Their staff is knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about what they do and it is comes out in their presentations.

I even got to hold a Tarantula named Jack Black!! From someone who absolutely cannot handle being in the same room as a spider, I never thought I would say this, but - boy she was so beautiful, gentle and oh so sweet!

If you get a chance to head on over to Little Rays at the west Edmonton mall, please do go in and support them. Even if you don’t get a chance to visit them quite yet, and you want to support them, go check out their website and learn more about who they are.

https://littlerays.org/west-edmonton-mall

09/06/2022

Who said this was going to be easy? 🙈 🙈

Our current goal is to get our non-profit status, and then be able to find a place to start intaking of the small animals awaiting our care.

We are currently looking for a place to call home - just a small building to start, or a piece of land we can grow into - but we are asking for your help.

Please consider giving towards Tiny Paws, Big hearts and help us get up and running. If you cannot give at this time, we understand - life can leave us a little tight - we just ask that you please share our fundraiser with friends and family, and your community so we can reach our goal!

Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts - and paws.

https://donorbox.org/tiny-paws-big-hearts-a-place-to-call-home

03/06/2022

We are on instagram!!

Go on over and give us a follow! 🐾💕
Instagram.com/tinypaws.bigheartsgp

01/06/2022

Got any critter renaming ideas? Lol
Let’s hear ‘em!
Here’s another one:
Guinea pigs -> fluffy potatoes

22/05/2022

This is where my love for little critters started.
This lil guy started my crazy obsession with making sure the little ones are loved.

This is Boo. Aka - mr cuddles von boo schmidt.
My daughter was about 4 or 5 and very Ill. We would do anything to make her smile - but she asked for a Guinea pig. We were highly reluctant, but after a trip to the store and seeing this beautiful guy in a too small corner, I couldn’t leave him there.

He has seen her through some big health hurdles; he has alerted us in the middle of the night when she needed help. He has been her emotional support and 7 years later, he is still her best buddy. (And mine)

He isn’t just a pet in our household - he, along with our other Guinea (pippy), our hedgehog, our cat, and our former hamster, are family members.

So thankful for this little guy and the joy he brings us every day.

16/05/2022

I have it planned out in my head. I have it written on paper. It is deep in my heart - it feels sooo close, yet there is so much to do as I work on the start up.

Setting up a non-profit is not easy in the slightest, and this past week has been no exception. Yet, when I'm feeling overwhelmed, lost and tired, I look over at my little critters and remember that not all those precious paws, that were once chosen as a pet, have a safe, warm place of love to rest tonight. Some have been abondoned or forgotten and now go cold, hungry, and begging for someone to come along and care. Some will unfortunately never know what that warmth of love feels like - and that breaks my heart. This is why I feel so strongly to start Tiny Paws, Big Hearts Small Animal Rescue and Sanctuary as soon as possible.

However, this is where I need YOUR support - I cant do this on my own. Please consider donating to TINY PAWS, BIG HEARTS - Small Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Each and every donation, no matter how small, makes a big difference in the lives of the little critters, and so very much appreciated.
Our first goal is $5,000 - This will go to licensing our non-profit and our fist stages of start-up.

We have already been asked to take in a more rescues, but we have had to help re-home them in a hurry as we are unable to take in any more rescues where we are.
Thank you in advance for your support and generous giving.

Please share this post, and our page - please help us get the word out about Tiny Paws, Big Hearts to as far as it will go. We need you to help us make a difference!

https://gofund.me/979065bb

16/05/2022

This weekend, I have had people ask how they can help support us in our start up - right now, as we are super limited, we are unable to take in more rescues until we have more space available and to do that, we need to make things official, raise awareness and do some large fundraisers. Please keep your eye out for some of those fundraisers to come this summer.

Please share our page, our posts, our photos, our stories to all of your friends and families - this helps spread the word about who we are and helps us in so many large ways.

Also, Here is the link to our go fund me - please consider joining us in support.
Thank you for each and every gift towards these precious little critters.

I have had a huge soft spot for animals since I can remember. That soft … Jenn Schmidt needs your support for Tiny Paws, Big Hearts - Rescue & Sanctuary

12/05/2022

This little guy is my office buddy today.

Spike is a couple years old (unsure of his exact age, but approx 3 years old), loves chicken and turkey, very picky of who he likes, and loves to check out my office.
He’s pretty excited that my desk has a hide-away just for him.

05/05/2022

Did you know ....??

* Guinea pigs are NOT pigs! (They are rodents.)
* Guinea pigs don’t sleep for long periods of time, they just take lots of short naps.
* Guinea pigs need to take on extra vitamin C every day (just like humans do too!).
* Guinea pigs need lots of space. They love to run around and explore, especially if they have lots of tunnels and safe places to hide away too.
* Guinea pigs are very sociable animals and are happiest living in a group. They should not be kept on their own as they get very lonely.
* Guinea pigs can learn tricks! They are really smart and can learn to do tricks if you are patient and use food as a reward!

Did you also know the rate of abandoned guinea pigs has increased substantially over the past couple years? These critters love to LOVE and yet they are abandoned in the outdoors with no wheres else to go. They become cold and hungry, unable to fend for themselves, and die horribly and alone.

My biggest desire is to help them, and they need someone to love them enough to care. Will you consider helping me in rescuing these precious, loving animals and give them back hope and love?

Please considering giving towards the rescue and care of abandoned and abused small animals. Every donation helps, no matter how small, and each and every donation is greatly appreciated.

(Our first goal: to raise enough to secure a space/land for the rescue & sanctuary)

https://gofund.me/2ad51bb6

04/05/2022

THIS is what’s on my mind - its growing in my heart.
This is my goal. Its my dream.

This is what’s in my head right now 24/7. I can’t stop thinking about it - dreaming it, planning it.

Dream with me a second -
A small animal rescue centre for Hedgehogs, Guinea pigs, Rabbits, Hamsters, etc.
A sanctuary for those who cannot be re-adopted out to good, safe and loving homes.

Enough space for a huuuge garden to ensure fresh veggies daily. Love, help and hope to the critters otherwise abused/suffering/neglected or abandoned.

Now imagine that same rescue and sanctuary as also an education centre to teach families, children on school field trips, etc about small animals, what they need, how to care for them, how to help them.

Imagine a world with higher empathy for the small animals, and a significant decreased rate of Abuse and abandonment of animals.

That’s my dream - I know it’s a really big one, but I also know God gave me this huge soft and over sensitive heart for a purpose so I’m going to use it.

No, this is not an overnight dream.
This may take a while to come to full fruition, I’m sure - it may take starting with nothing, a lot of work, countless hours and many fundraisers to come - but If I’m going to start, I gotta start somewhere.

That somewhere is here. That sometime is now. The what? This is it. 💕💕

https://gofund.me/4faaad3f