Small Animal Rescue
Hello everyone, this page will show you how to rescue small animals such as hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, rats and so on!
I'll be listing things you should have and also some tips on how to rescue and care for these little ones!
Basic Necessities
I'll be going over some items which I recommend you keep at home if you want to rescue small animals.
1. Cage
Depending on the size of the animal you find, you may need to have different sized cages or boxes of a certain height or size. Remember to observe them as you might've taken is a little spiderman!
2. Food and Water Bottle
Having some food to last you through the night would be important such as hay if you have rabbits or guinea pigs as they have to constantly eat. For hamsters, it is not as bad as they do store food in their cheeks, but you can offer a little fruit or vegetable safe for them such as apple or carrot.
It's always handy to have a nice bottle on hand suitable for hamsters or guinea pigs and maybe a water bowl for rabbits although a bottle would be better for less mess.
3. Bedding / Newspaper
Bedding is handy in any situation because you use them for all the small animals. Cat litter is also suitable. If you do not have bedding, newspaper is a good stand-in. You can line the bottom of the cage with newspaper and shred some into the cage or their "toilet".
How To Rescue Small Animals
This post will show you how to rescue small animals when you find them!
1. Place them in a box / cage
You may find them when they're already in a box but make sure the box is secure with no routes to escape!
They will most likely be found in box or cages as small animals are usually cases of abandonment.
2. Check for injuries / illness
The important part is to check if these animals are ill or injured. If so, take them to the vet for treatment. If it is a minor scab injury, keep the wound clean by cleaning gently with water and cotton swabs. If the wound state worsens, take the animal to the vet.
3. Feed and leave them for a while
Small animals can get stressed just like other animals. It is important that we provide some food and water for them and give them some time to settle down. It may take some time for the animal to adjust to the new environment so do be patient.
Note that you should try not to house them in places where it is too hot or too cold as it will not be suitable for the animal. For example, chinchillas should be kept in a cool environment.
