Little Fuzzies Small Animal Rescue

14/10/2022

07/10/2022

01/10/2022

Recent photo dump! We've had a million things going on and haven't been posting much, so have some cuteness.

30/09/2022

Don't overdo the pellets!




















While we try to ensure information we share is accurate, we do not guarantee it is right for every rabbit, all the time. We are not vets. You should always contact your rabbit savvy vet.

30/09/2022

Please don't cut my Whiskers


















While we try to ensure information we share is accurate, we do not guarantee it is right for every rabbit, all the time. We are not vets! You should always contact your rabbit savvy vet.

29/09/2022

Map via rhdv2.org

Even indoor-only rabbits are at risk of RHDV2, since the virus can be transferred to them by people (on their shoes and clothes), other animals (including dogs and cats, especially if they go outside), and even insects. The most important thing you can do to protect your rabbit is to get them vaccinated, in states the vaccine is available. Currently 45 states plus Washington, D.C., have approved use of the Medgene vaccine. RHDV2 is a serious and extremely contagious disease. Rabbits of all ages are affected by RHDV2. House Rabbit Society strongly encourages rabbit guardians to vaccinate their rabbits.

26/09/2022

Clean hamster cages! The minimum size requirement for a dwarf is 450 square inches, and 600 square inches for a Syrian. Have questions about your hammy's enclosure? Message the page! We love helping people update their care based on the best practices.

22/09/2022

The uncool reality of having to move 20 animals next door during a storm warning because you don’t have a basement.

19/09/2022

Does you rabbit like you? Rabbit emotions can be very subtle - most don't tend to bound up to you wagging like a dog. However, there are lots of subtle signs that your rabbit likes having you around. If your rabbit isn't quite there yet, don't worry, it takes time to build a relationship with a rabbit, but often the ones hardest to win over become those extra special friends. How does your rabbit show affection?

First published in the excellent Bunny Mad magazine

18/09/2022

The wee ones are important too - the best things come in small packages 💖

13/09/2022

Rabbits are prey animals so they scare easily, especially if you approach from above. Sit on the floor with your bun, let them come to you, play around you and even climb on you. They are also curious creatures so they will want to approach you on their terms. Food can also help build a friendship so consider hand feeding them when trying to establish a bond.

11/09/2022

Seriously. Yesterday alone we had 4 phone calls of people wanting to dump their pets. People seriously told me they work and don't have time. (Um I work full time plus and still run a rescue so please don't tell me you don't have time for a hamster) What happened to responsibility and accountability?

26/08/2022

Chill buns, Ben, Jordy, Jazzy and Beau.

21/08/2022

Pink eyed piggies are soft and very cuddly. Why do they have such a bad rep?

17/08/2022

Visit rabbit.org/rhdv to learn more about RHDV2. The most important thing you can do to help protect your rabbit is to get them vaccinated, in states the vaccine is available. Remember too that RHDV2 can be carried into your home by insects or on your shoes. Indoor rabbits who do not go outside also have been infected, so the vaccine is crucial if the disease is in your area.

17/08/2022

Red flags - if you hear any of these from your vet it’s time to find a rabbit vet!

🚩 “There is no need to neuter your rabbit, if it’s a female then it can live happily with another female. No need to neuter, it’s too high risk.”

🚩 “If your rabbit lives indoors, you don’t need to vaccinate. Only vaccinate if they go outside.”

🚩 “Your rabbit doesn’t need a friend, they can be perfectly happy alone.”

🚩 “Fast your rabbit before surgery.”

🚩 “They don’t need pain relief.”

16/08/2022

Mr. Beau needs your help! He's going to the dr for head tilt, and we could sure use some donations.
paypal
cashapp $sirigirl96

05/08/2022

Every donation, no matter what the size, is appreciated and will aid in the continuing research of medical care and health of rabbits.

05/08/2022

01/08/2022

Our smallest bunny(Jazzy) and biggest piggie (Remy). Hilariously, they are the same size.

31/07/2022

Why hamsters are relatively “wild”

Hamsters, as we probably know, can sometimes be bitey, flighty, and generally very timid and shy. While this does depend on the individual hamster, there are many underlying reasons why hamsters are not nearly as social and friendly as their rodent cousins, rats and mice. The main reason is that hamsters have only been in captivity since the 1930s. Researchers wanted to domesticate hamsters in the early 1930s to use as lab animals. They eventually found some Syrian hamsters and were able to breed them. Since then, hamsters were introduced to the pet trade and our homes. Roborovski dwarfs only entered the pet trade in the 1970s, which is one of the reasons they are often the most difficult hamster species to tame.

Syrian hamsters and the other hamster species have been domesticated for less than a hundred years. Domestication of a species to make them more friendly and better pets can take hundreds, if not thousands of years. For comparison, there is evidence rats were domesticated sometime in the 1600s, and mice may have been domesticated around 15,000 years ago. In this time, we’ve been able to breed more friendly rats and mice that are less scared of humans and see us as friends, not predators. Dogs, man’s best friend, didn’t start out that way. But over thousands of years, they have evolved to love us and be dependent on us. We haven’t really had the time to consistently do that with hamsters. Keep in mind that generally hamsters are solitary species vs. colony animals like rats and mice, so we should expect their social skills will differ.

Another factor affecting hamster temperament, is that hamsters very quickly entered pet breeding mills, which do not work to improve temperament, but breed for profit. For this reason, ethical breeders working to improve hamsters as pets are very important. These ethical breeders are helping to further domesticate hamsters, so that one day, they might become just as or more social and bold as their rodent cousins. Ethical breeders also ensure young hamsters get proper socialization in their formative weeks. When taken from mom and siblings too early, they are in a heightened survival state not making bonding and being friendly a priority. As a prey animal their instinct is to just focus on not being eaten.

In short, hamsters are much closer to their wild relatives than most other domestic species, which is why we have to cut them some slack and adjust our expectations of our furry friends.

31/07/2022

*Repost* Let’s Talk About Minimums:

One of the things you hear really frequently in the hamster community is “450 square inches is the minimum cage size in North America,” but what does this really mean?

First, a little bit of backstory on minimums. Originally, the minimum was created to help steer people away from pet store cages, which were about 100-200 square inches and way too small. One of the first minimums that was broadly spread around was 360 sq inches. This number was chosen because a 20 gallon long aquarium is 360 sq inches and, at that time, it seemed like an adequate size of cage. Now we know that a 20 gallon long is too small, though it is better than CritterTrails, Tiny Tales, and similar cages. The minimum was then raised to 450 sq inches because people realized 360 sq inches is too small, and hamsters were still exhibiting stress behaviours. That was about 10 years ago. Since then, various people on different hamster forums and communities have tried to increase the minimum further, arguing that 450 is too small.

The definition of minimum is “the least or smallest amount or quantity possible, attainable, or required.” This means 450 square inches is the absolute smallest cage a hamster should be living in. Anything lower is unacceptable and inappropriate for any hamster.

One really important concept is the difference between minimum and recommended. While the OHC might say that 450 is the minimum, this is not the cage size we recommend. The OHC strongly recommends cages above 600 square inches, with bigger always being better. You can refer to our previous post on enclosures available in Canada. We also want to note that if your hamster is showing signs of boredom they should be given more enrichment and upgraded ASAP. We should be aiming for the largest enclosures possible, and there are places in the world, such as Germany, where people are often already giving their hamster more than 1000 square inches. As hamster owners, we should always be striving for better hamster care. This means bigger cages with more enrichment and a better quality of life. As we learn more about these amazing creatures, we will continue to improve our care. We know that hamsters are extremely active creatures that easily get bored in small cages, so bigger=better.
📸: on IG

29/07/2022

25/07/2022

Happy sleepy buns today.

25/07/2022

Important!

22/07/2022

Little Fuzzies adoptables! Meet Harley & David, the cutest pair of piggies around!

Harley (smooth) and David (rosetted) are a bonded pair of male guinea pigs, available together only. They are both 2 years old, and have been with us since June. They are both healthy and now ready to find their forever home.

Harley is the more outgoing of the two, venturing out first to eat and investigate. David is more nervous, preferring to wait until Harley deems the situation safe to make his appearance. Both are shy and will run when you try to pick them up, but have started to come out of their shells in the time we’ve had them. They will need someone who is patient while they learn they can trust you.

Outside of being nervous, both boys are very good about being handled. They behave for health checks and nail trims. They will let you stroke their faces, but aren’t to the point of enjoying it yet.

Harley and David love carrots, Selective Naturals treat loops, and taking naps side-by-side. They are both quiet unless they run out of something or it’s close to dinner time.

Neither of them is neutered, but we do recommend it for the future. We can also recommend a vet for their future care.

They will need someone who can be patient and loving while these sweet boys settle in and learn to be comfortable around you. Once they do, they will be loving members of your family for years to come.

Contact us via messenger for an application if interested. PLEASE NOTE-For the safety and comfort of our animals, Little Fuzzies does not adopt to homes with dogs, cats or other predators.

22/07/2022

22/07/2022

Hay in the sun time for the bunnies. 😊

30/06/2022

The 4th of July is almost here! Not all rabbits are afraid of fireworks, but some will be.
Younger rabbits can be more afraid of the noises than older rabbits. Any sudden loud sounds can be cause for alarm in our pets. Plan now for if your pets do become afraid. Some signs that your bun may be anxious or afraid are thumping, aggression, hiding, and not eating. Play some calming music, and sit on the floor with them. Give them some treats and love. One of the many reason we advocate for rabbits to live indoors is that they will be safer and not so afraid during the loud and scary fireworks.

29/06/2022

It's Rabbit Awareness Week!

Bunny owners: did you know it's a good idea to have a rabbit emergency kit on hand at all times? Rabbits are delicate creatures who need special care. Having some of these necessary supplies on hand can be a huge boost until you can get your pet to the vet for further assistance. Your pack could include all or some of the following:

+ Critical Care (super important for early stasis)
+ Meloxicam (by prescription for pain management)
+ Infant Gas Relief Drops
+ Stypic Powder (for when nail trims go awry)
+ SSD Cream (for minor scrapes or sores)
+ Syringes (for medication and feeding)
+ Vet Wrap (for a temporary bandage)
+ Thermometer (use only if you are properly trained!)

Note: these items are to help until you can get your furry friend to our clinic. Always have our number on hand to give us a call, and know who your emergency clinic is as well.

(shout out to Binx for posing for the photo)

25/06/2022

Some highlights from pen cleaning and Isa’s bath. As you can see, Jazzy spent the whole time snoozing on the couch.