West Michigan Critter Haven

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West Michigan Critter Haven

We are dedicated to helping small animals and rabbits. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions - The WMCH FAQ

1. How long does a typical adoption process take?

Our adoption process takes between 2 days and 1 week depending on the situation and individual scheduling. All listed references are contacted prior to applicant's visitation to meet the foster pet.

2. Is WMCH a non-profit rescue and are my donations tax deductible? Yes, WMCH is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. You may take your donation as a tax deduction if you wish. Adoption fees are not ta

x deductible. You should retain proof of donation for your records. WMCH cannot give specific tax advice. For more information you should contact your tax professional.

3. Why does WMCH charge an adoption fee? Adoption fees serve several functions. First, they help to keep our foster pets safe. By requiring an appropriate adoption fee for each pet it is shown their lives have value and they are less likely to have ill intentioned or non-serious people apply. Secondly, adoption fees are used to offset foster pet veterinary bills. Most of our foster pets (for example our house rabbits) incur veterinary bills while in our care that are greater than the amount we ask for an adoption fee.

4. Why does WMCH require that all house rabbits be altered? We believe that all rabbits should be altered for several reasons. First, there are thousands of healthy rabbits relinquished and dumped each year that end up being euthanized at shelters for no other reason than that there were not enough homes available for them. Second, altering rabbits of both genders makes them better pets. It eliminates hormonal behaviors and greatly helps in litter box training. Third, the veterinary community has documented very well over the years that female rabbits over the age of two years old have an 85%+ risk of reproductive cancer if left un-spayed.

5. Why does WMCH require my cats and dogs to be altered and up to date on vaccines when I'm adopting a small pet? It is a primary goal of WMCH to educate about proper pet care for all pets. Millions of cats, dogs and rabbits are euthanized in shelters each year due simply to lack of homes. Altering your pet is a responsible choice for all pet owners to ensure that no accidental pregnancies and thus un-wanted litters occur. Vaccinating pets helps protect not only your pet but other pets with which they come into contact in our community. WMCH also works closely local humane societies who daily battle the repercussions of un-altered local pets. Our rescue highly respects the difficult work the local shelters perform each day to try and place so many pets into safe homes. Therefore, WMCH respects and adheres to the adoption policy requirements of these shelters which include not adopting to homes where there are un-altered or unvaccinated pets.

6. Why does WMCH not allow adopted pets to be used for showing, entertainment or classroom purposes? Small pets by nature are often shy creatures as they are prey animals. Change in environment, loud noises, crowds and being handled by new people can easily stress many small pets. Their size makes them physically delicate and subject to injury if mishandled. House rabbits in particular have very delicate spinal columns and can literally break their own backs if they struggle when frightened. To protect the continued safety and well being of our adopted pets, WMCH will not adopt to any applicants intending on having the pet for any other purpose other than as a personal house pet.

7. Why does WMCH require a rabbit to be kept indoors with solid bottomed housing areas? There is vast data showing that rabbits kept outdoors have significantly shortened lifespans. The average life span for a house rabbit is 9-12+ years when kept indoors and altered. The average lifespan for a rabbit kept outdoors is 1-2 years. Wire Bottomed housing in not acceptable for small pets. The wire is harsh on their feet and can cause injury and abscesses.

8. Why does WMCH require a pet to be returned to their rescue if I am unable to care for my adopted pet any longer? Fosters of WMCH care for their foster pets as their own. The pets that come to our rescue have already been through emotional and sometimes physical hardships. They deserve to live their lives in safety and comfort. If an adopter is not able to care for their pet any longer that pet is required to come back to our rescue so that we can ensure they will be cared for properly while in foster care and placed in a new home educated for their specific needs. Small pet needs are highly specialized. Most other local rescues would not have the knowledge or resources to care for these types of pets properly or train new caregivers in their specific requirements.

9. Where is WMCH's main facility and what are your visitation hours? WMCH is composed of a group of trained and dedicated foster families. We have no main facility because we believe pets receive better care while in a home. Visitations are scheduled according to the applicant's and the foster family's schedules.

10. What is the best way to submit an adoption application? Applications will be reviewed quickest if emailed to the rescue. Applications are review on a first come basis. If an adoption is approved, the foster will have your submitted application printed out on paper for you to sign and initial in ink, in person.

11. Public Review of IRS Forms
Per IRS requirements for all 501(c)3 non-profit organizations a copy of certain forms may be requested in writing.

12. Beyond adopting pets what other ways could I help pets in need? WMCH is always in search of friendly and gentle volunteers to help with various rescue activities. Some ways one might volunteer to help would be to take pictures for the pet's postings, to help with transportation from relinquishments and vet appointments or to help staff event tables. For more information on volunteering for our rescue please click "forms" and email submit a volunteer application. Another great way to help WMCH pets is to donate towards our vet care fund. Many of our foster pets incur veterinary bills much greater than their adoption fee. Donating towards vet bills such as alterations or emergency care helps us save more lives and keeps our rescue functioning. You can also help by organizing a pet care item drop off. We are always in need of daily care items from our wish list. Organizing an item donation day at your school, church or work can help make a foster pets' life much more comfortable and happy! You can also help sponsor foster pets by shopping for adorable items on our www.cafepress.com and www.zazzle.com online retail sites. You can find a variety of products with original designs from apparel to yoga mats to ipod cases. The proceeds beyond the base price from the sale of these items come to our rescue as a donation for the pets!

03/12/2024

It's ! 🎉

Please consider supporting rabbits and small animals in West Michigan and beyond with a donation. 💓

Your generous support directly benefits our medical care fund to provide spay/neuter, parasite treatment, emergency care, dental treatment, and so much more. Without your support, we cannot continue to do this lifesaving work!

Other donation options: https://wmicritterhaven.org/donate

02/12/2024

Happy from Dash! If you're shopping today, please consider shopping for our fosters. We are always in need of pellets, hay and bedding for our critters:

- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Pellets
- Oxbow Essential Adult Rat Food
- Oxbow Essential Adult Guinea Pig Food
- Carefresh or Oxbow Comfort Bedding

Shop our list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1XMEHUDCL5RYF?ref_=wl_share

01/12/2024

This little girl is Winter! She’s about 6 months old, born around June 2024. She is a typical gerbil, which means she’s busy, busy, busy! She loves to run on her wheel when she hasn’t buried it, and she creates extensive tunnels in her bedding. Winter is a look, don’t touch gerbil - she prefers not to be handled (she will give warning nips). No kids for Miss Winter either. If you are willing to work around her no-touch rule, she is super fun to watch, and she loves to be talked to - she’ll find the highest point she can so that she can listen intently. We know there’s a new family out there that will love her for who she is!

We are eager to see Winter find a loving home! ❤

22/11/2024

Happy Adoption Day to Smoke & Smudge! It’s so wonderful when animals go home before we even list them for adoption. 🩷

17/11/2024

Happy Trails to Blaze and Brownie! 💖

10/11/2024

Sweet little Darla is still with us. What gives? 😩🩷

She is a dwarf/lionhead mix with a fancy coat and perfect white feet! Darla was found abandoned at a local school with several other rabbits. She is spayed and has received the best care from her foster, who is also a vet! Darla is sweet but a bit timid at first. She's a rabbit who appreciates gentleness and patience. Darla enjoys her crunchy tunnel, toss toys, and cranberries.

Will you let Darla hop her way into your heart? 💞

09/11/2024

Peaches & Penelope 🍑🩷

This bonded pair of sister guinea pigs is still searching for a loving home! They are around 3.5 years old. Peaches is outgoing and curious. She's so relaxed! She likes lap time and is very food-motivated. Penelope is more shy. She likes to hang back and observe the world, although she will take food from your hand. They both enjoy exploring and running through their tunnels during floor time.

Aren't they just too cute? 😍

07/11/2024

Look at Cannoli and Scotcheroo settling into their forever home! 😍

01/11/2024

❤️ Gertie, Beatrice & Agatha ❤️

This lovely lady trio is Gertie (mom, estimated born around February 2024) and her two daughters, Beatrice and Agatha (born July 25, 2024). Like most gerbils, these girls are busy, busy, busy! They are constantly digging, chewing their paper towel tubes, and running on their wheel (if they haven’t buried it), sometimes even running two at a time! Gertie gets upset when her wheel is buried and won't spin, so she disapprovingly sits on top of it until you fix it. All three can be easily handled (even though they’d prefer not to be), though the daughters are slightly shyer than mom. Dinner is the best time, and they love treats of fresh lettuce and dehydrated mealworms. They are very fun to watch and talk to! These girls love each other very much and must be adopted together!

Gerbils need an absolute minimum of 600 square inches of solid floor space. 800 square inches or more is preferred. They do not do well in wire cages – due to their tunneling, more bedding ends up on the floor than in their cage, and gerbils have been known to chew cage bars to the extent that they develop teeth problems. A large aquarium, custom bin cages, or Ikea Detolf shelf habitats are ideal. They will need several inches of paper bedding (6+ inches) to satisfy their tunneling needs. They will run on wheels (if they don’t bury them first) that must be at least an 8-10” diameter. Flying saucers are another option instead of wheels. We do NOT condone exercise balls for gerbils. They also need a high-quality diet and require hay to nest in and munch on! Once you set these guys up properly, it is so much fun watching gerbils be gerbils!

You can learn more and apply at wmiritterhaven.org!

31/10/2024

Hoppy Halloween from Dottie! 🎃

26/10/2024

Sweet Darla is ready for Halloween! She’s all treats and no tricks. 🎃 🍬🍭🍫

09/10/2024

❤️ COURTESY POST ❤️

Gus the Flemish Giant is looking for a new home. This handsome rabbit is located in Grand Haven, MI. Gus was born in October 2019 and is neutered. He is a very friendly bunny who gets along with cats, dogs, and gentle children. He's a big boy, weighing in at 13lbs!

Gus was abandoned by someone following a divorce, and the current caregiver can no longer provide for him. We are currently full and unable to help Gus, so please help us find this wonderful rabbit a home.

If you are interested in adopting Gus, please get in touch with Tom at 517-740-4261. Gus comes with all supplies, including two large litter boxes with hay rack attachments.

Again, Gus is not in the care of WMCH. Please reach out directly to Tom to learn more and adopt.

08/10/2024

We have so many wonderful critters waiting for you! 💓

Check out who's available here: https://wmicritterhaven.org/adoptables

28/09/2024

🐰🎉 Happy International Rabbit Day from West Michigan Critter Haven! 🎉🐰

📸 Share a pic of your bunny👇 and spread the bunny love! 🐇💕

24/09/2024

Spaying and neutering your rabbit is critical to their behavior and health! 💜

Let’s talk all things Neutering!

Neutering rabbits is not just about babies, it’s also vital for them to be able to live a long and healthy life.

It’s important to your rabbits’ welfare that they live in pairs or groups, and neutering allows them to do this.

It prevents life-threatening health problems (especially in female rabbits) and, of course, prevents unwanted pregnancies. There are thousands of unwanted rabbits in rescue centres already; please don’t add to this by breeding from your pets.

Find out all the vital information you need to know about Neutering over on our website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/neutering-castration-and-spaying/

23/09/2024

Meet Tonka! 😍🖤

Tonka is a neutered male lop rabbit who was born in March 2020. Tonka is very playful and loves to explore. He can be shy at first, but in a calm environment, he really comes out of his shell and will come up to you for some curious sniffs and head pats. Tonka would do best in a home that can give him free roam time and space to run and do binkies. This sweet boy can't wait to find his forever home!

21/09/2024

Our Fuzzy boy crossed the Rainbow Bridge today. He passed at home in the care of his foster Trina, who has been loving him as her own since he was returned to us last year. Fuzzy battled a myriad of health issues. With your support, and the best care from his foster, we were able to keep him comfortable and loved until his last day.

Fuzzy was 10 the sweetest boy with a big personality. We are honored we got so much time to love and spoil him. His foster feels grateful she got to be his person. We hope he’s now eating his fill of papaya chunks as he binkies free. 🌈❤️

Rest easy, Fuzzy. We will never forget you. 💗

16/09/2024

Chex Mix went home this weekend! We're so happy for this sweet girl. ❤

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Dottie

Need help with home renovations? Call Dottie, aka Ms Dig for all your projects! *sound on*

67 adoptions in 2023!

We helped 67 critters find loving homes this past year! 🎉✨ None of our work would be possible without our incredible fosters, adopters and supporters. Thank you to everyone who helped us save so many lives this year! 🩵

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