Random LOLZ

Hey everyone! Time to post some random small animal LOLZ for those of you who need a laugh today. Do stay tuned, we will have more feature articles coming soon.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Meet Betty the bald hedgehog from Gorleston - News - Norwich Evening News

Meet Betty the bald hedgehog from Gorleston - News - Norwich Evening News

This ferret was rescued from the home of a missing woman by Ashley Stephens ( shown here) in Joplin, MO.


This photo made me think of all the little guys out there that just want to be found and reunited with their families. The chances seem much slimmer for those owners with small animals as pets. Here are a few links I've found if you are interested in the status of lost/found pets, organizations to contact or assist with regards to small animal rescue, as well as some tips to protect yourself and little ones in the event a disaster strikes.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=185768248141000&topic=204

http://www.humanityroad.org/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=9042

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20110527/pl_usnw/DC10467_1

To those in Joplin, Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, our thoughts are with you.

Wiki-Wednesday!

Thought I would share this article from Wiki-How about caring for guinea pigs. Wiki-how is a great source of information, plus you can write your own article or contribute to the current ones. It's also chock full of information that is constantly being reviewed and edited for accuracy.  Have an opinion on this article?  Post it in the comments or visit our Forum to talk about it!

How to Care for Guinea Pigs

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Guinea pigs are smaller pets, but require plenty of space, time and effort. If you are willing to give your guinea pig a good home with proper food, attention, living space, and vet care, you will be well rewarded with a happy, healthy pet.

Steps

1. Get large enough cages. You should allow 7.5 square feet of cage space as a minimum for one guinea pig (even that is rather small), or 10.5 for two. However, the bigger the cage the better. A hutch outside is NOT recommended as guinea pigs have a very limited temperature tolerance. Other animals could break into the cage and kill them, as well. You and your guinea pigs will be better off if they are housed inside, where they will be safe and warm, where they can see and smell you, and also so that you can interact with them more.
   
   • Guinea pigs will also need some floor time each day — let them loose in an enclosed space. A bathroom is fine, but you may want to line the floor with rugs or towels so that they have traction.
     
2. Adopt two or more guinea pigs of the same sex or spayed/neutered so they are not lonely. Guinea pigs need company because they are herd animals. Spend some time with your pets every day. If you have to keep them single, then definitely spend as much time as you can with them.
   
3. Make grass hay such as timothy or orchard grass hay available to your pigs 24/7. Guinea pigs are grazing animals so they need something to graze on or their digestive tracts can shut down. Kleenmama's (http://www.kmshayloft.com/) is the best source for hay (her 3rd cut is best) or Oxbow's Western Timothy Hay (available at Petsmart) is good too.
   
   • Alfalfa hay should only be fed to babies 6 months old and younger, and pregnant or nursing sows, because they have a lot of extra nutrients that healthy adult guinea pigs do not require.
     
   • Timothy, orchard grass, or bluegrass hay should be fed for guinea pigs older than 6 months. It should be fed 'free choice,' which means they have some in the cage all the time.
     
   • Lack of hay can lead to maloclussion, a misalignment of the teeth that may require surgical correction, and GI Stasis, shutting down of the digestive tract often leading to death.
     
4. Make sure the guinea pigs get fresh vegetables daily. Green leafy vegetables should make up about 20% of your guinea pigs' diet.
   
   • Daily salads of about 1 cup should consist of green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, escarole, red leaf lettuce, curly endive, and cilantro, all of which have a good calcium/phosphorus ratio (important in preventing bladder stones).
     
   • Vegetables to avoid include any vegetable in the cabbage family, iceberg lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, beet greens, and radishes.
     
   • Each guinea pig will require about one serving of one cup per day. Dividing the veggie meal into two servings is a good idea since guinea pigs are grazing animals who prefer to eat throughout the day instead of one big meal.
     
   • Check out the following links for assistance on composing your guinea pigs' salads: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/diet-nutrition/22156-read-me-guinea-pig-nutrition-charts-poisonous-plants-list.html http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/diet-nutrition/24770-sample-veggie-menus.html#post277483
     
5. Change your guinea pigs' water bottle, clean and change it daily. Get a guinea pig/rabbit bottle with the little ball in the spout and keep it full.
   
   • Be sure to clean the nozzle frequently to keep it free of hay and pellet gunk which can breed harmful bacteria and clog the water flow.
     
   • Nozzle can be cleaned with a Q-tip.
     
   • The water bottle itself can be cleaned by putting in uncooked rice and a little water, and shaking. The rice will dislodge any greenish build-ups (algae).
     
   • If the cage is in the sun for part of the day, this can contribute to algae build-ups. In this case, cover the bottles with an opaque cloth to avoid algae.
     
6. Feed good quality pellets. Oxbow's Cavy Cuisine is best for pigs over 6 months, and their Cavy Performance is best for pigs under 6 months. Kleenmama's Timothy Choice pellets is best for pigs over 6 months, and Alfalfa choice pellets only for pigs under 6 months.
   
   • Do not feed rabbit or other small animal pellets - the vitamin content is not the same, and can be harmful to your guinea pig!
     
   • Feed a plain pellet, as pellets with seeds in them could cause choking. Pellets, hay, untreated fresh organic grass (wheat or standard lawn grass) and fresh veggies are all the foods guinea pigs need.
     
7. Spot clean your guinea pigs' cage at least once every two days, removing droppings and any uneaten veggies from the day before, cleaning the water bottle, and adding more hay to the cage.
   
8. Clean the cage thoroughly at least once a week. The frequency of thorough cleaning depends on the type of bedding used.
   
   • Use a vinegar and water 50/50 mix to spray and wipe the cage when cleaning the whole cage to remove urine scald from the cage bottom. No harsh chemical cleaners should be used.
     
9. Use CareFresh, moisture wicking fleece over towels, or aspen bedding.
   
   • Do not use wood chips or sawdust as bedding.
     
   • Do not use cedar or pine bedding, as both have harmful phenols. The same is true with pine shavings, unless it is kiln-dried.
     
   • Towels underneath fleece cut to fit your cage can also be used as cage liners - just shake off the debris, wash and reuse.
     
10. Trim toenails every few weeks. If they have dark toenails, shine a flashlight behind the nail so you can see where the quicks. If you clip too close to the vessel the toe nail may start to bleed. Use syptic powder or flour to stop bleeding.
    
11. Watch for signs of illness. Know what to look for in an ill pig. http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html Take your guinea pigs to a cavy savvy exotics vet for proper treatment. Check Guinea Lynx's list for reliable vets: http://www.guinealynx.info/vetlist.html
    
    • Make sure all guinea pigs are treated at the same time as some illnesses will spread from one guinea pig to its cagemates.
      
12. Check male guinea pigs every so often around their genitals, as they can get impacted. You can simply massage the area a little and if soft poop-like stuff is present, gently clean out the pocket with a cotton swab.
    
13. Do not house your guinea pigs with rabbits or allow the two species to play together. Rabbits naturally carry a bacteria that can make guinea pigs very ill, and rabbits are bigger, stronger animals. Even a playful kick from a rabbit could kill a guinea pig.
    
14. Weigh your guinea pig weekly to ensure they are not losing weight, a common symptom of illness or dental problems. A weight fluctuation of up to two ounces is normal but more than that can mean serious health problems. A digital kitchen scale works best for this.
    

Video

Tips

• Some guinea pigs may give you an exploratory nibble, don't worry. Once they find out you're not made of food they'll stop.
  
• For daily exercise, put them on the floor with a safe surround. Guinea pigs love to run. Be mindful that they might nibble electric cords and don't forget to closely supervise them whenever they are outside their cage.
  
• Guinea pigs will eat their own poop; this is called coprophagy and it is quite normal. You may often notice them reach over their backside, but don't be alarmed. When they ingest their poop they get important nutrients from the bacteria in their gut.
  
• If your pig suddenly leaps into the air or rapidly twists its neck with a little hop, it is not having a seizure. 'Popcorning' may either indicate happiness or an attempt to release excess energy, similar to a cat suddenly getting the urge to race through the house.
  
• Guinea pigs also enjoy toys, which can be purchased or made depending on your budget. The less complicated the better. Empty cylinders and paper bags make perfect toys and are always welcome.
  
• Get a heavy bowl for your guinea pig's food. They can chew a plastic one to bits, or knock a light one over. Of course, more entrepreneurial guinea pigs may knock it over anyway in order to get to all of their food.
  
• You can help save guinea pigs by looking around your local pet store. Be sure they all have food, water, and show no signs of sickness. If they do, alert the manager of the store immediately.
  
• Some people let their guinea pigs roam freely in their homes. They tend to remain in one room and develop favorite "runs". Free range guinea pigs are happy and more robust.
  
• Curiously, free range piggies quickly adapt to soft-towel lined paper grocery bags as their personal toilets. These very disposable "bag privees" are easy to replace when they get a bit too soiled. Economical too.
  
• Free roamers will enjoy their dining/watering station more if set up under a low table. (Guinea pigs are always fearful with too much open space above their heads.) You should also provide a bit of bedding fabric under low furniture for sleeping spots. And while they are not so apt to chew electrical cords as rabbits, you should keep all cords away from favorite hang-outs and runs. (WARNING: they do seem to be interested in thin wires like cell phone charger cords.)
  
• A free range guinea pig is best for an adult who lives alone. Such an arrangement would not be suitable for a family with young children or other pets. Too dangerous for the piggie!
  
• Unless you are breeding guinea pigs, don't keep guinea pigs of different genders together. You can keep them together if one or both has been spayed or neutered.
  

Warnings

• Guinea pigs hide symptoms of illness until they are quite sick. If a guinea pig shows signs of illness, it can worsen or even die very quickly. Consult a vet as soon as possible!
  
• If you notice that your guinea pig has crusty eyes or nose, this may mean it has an Upper Respiratory Infection and you should bring it to a reliable vet very quickly.
  
• Never use exercise balls or wheels. Even though they are marketed towards guinea pigs, they are not safe and can cause foot, toe and spinal damage.
  
• Never use sawdust, or corn cob bedding. Never use plastic litter or most anything else in the cage, as guinea pigs will chew it and can suffocate on the chewed pieces.
  
• Don't be frustrated if they dive under cover whenever you approach. Guinea pigs need some time to warm up to you. It is also a matter of instinct and personality. Being prey animals, guinea pigs see looming shadows as a threat first and a friend later. Some will always resist being picked up, while others will approach given time to learn (especially if they figure out you're the food source).
  
• Do not feed guinea pigs potatoes, onions, leeks, tomato plant leaves, chocolate, corn, wheat, dairy products, meat, mushrooms or iceberg lettuce.
  
• Guinea pigs are fast runners, and they can outsmart you once you let them out of their cage, so be careful! Make sure the "floor time" run is well enclosed so they can't escape or get into danger.
  
• Put down a towel when holding them so you don't have to go change if they eliminate on you.
  
• Never leave a guinea pig unattended on high places. They can break their legs in a fall.
  
• Please remember that there's an overpopulation of guinea pigs. Many are in rescues and shelters looking for a good home. Adopt your guinea pigs instead of buying them, and please don't add to the overpopulation by breeding.
  
• Also be very careful if you must buy a pet store guinea pig that it does not have diseases. Check around the nose, the eyes, and the ears.
  
• If you're giving them grass, make sure it does not have chemicals put in. The fresher the better, too!
  
• Always clean out the cage every three days if you use straw bedding as it can have maggots in it. If using straw bedding, also be careful it is not too hard as sharp strands can injure the guinea pigs' eyes.
  

Things You'll Need

• Large cage
  
• Toys and places to hide
  
• Towels
  
• Water bottle
  
• Nail clippers
  
• Bedding
  
• A guinea pig or two, make sure they are neutered or spayed if you have a male and female together ..
  
• Food bowl and food
  
  1. dont get exercise balls or wheels as they can be dangerous
     

Related wikiHows

• How to Clean out a Rabbit Hutch
  
• How to Know What to Feed to Guinea Pigs
  
• How to Help a Pregnant Guinea Pig
  
• How to Make Guinea Pig Food
  
• How to Care for a Outdoor Rabbits Gently
  
• How to Care for Gerbils
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Care for Guinea Pigs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Funny Pet Videos

Here's some funny pet videos to tide you all over.  Feel free to share the links to your funny pet videos here!



Frostie knows how to get down!



These little ones belong to our very own Candy Graphics. Such a cute video!


Don't be surprised if you don't do a little "binky" yourself after watching this one!


Thanks for visiting and enjoy!

Welcome to our "little" family!- Small Pet Rescue

Hi everyone! I hope you make yourself comfortable here. If you are a pocket pet owner, have had them in the past, or are simply curious about them, you hopefully will like our little neck of the woods. Our team has an extensive knowledge about small animals ( be sure to check out our Forum), and we hope to further your knowledge of topics like proper care and rescue, as well as show you some of the wonderful creations our team members have made honoring these wonderful creatures. I wanted to commemorate this first post by conducting an interview with one of our Team members. Her name is Jan and her shop is RAT SAC Hammocks ( username RatAttackTeam). She was very gracious to answer my questions for me, as well as share some wonderful pictures of her rescued furkids.   Please Enjoy!   

DO YOU WORK FOR OR VOLUNTEER FOR ANY PARTICULAR ORGANIZATION? No, I got into rescue by saving a rat I found outside where I worked. Since then I have done rescue out of my home.    

HOW DO YOU HELP TO FIND RATS IN NEED? They find me! There are 2 shelters & my vet who call upon me when rats are involved.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING RESCUE? I found my first boy in the alley where I worked in August of 1998 & got hooked on the sweeties.

WHAT KINDS OF SITUATIONS HAVE YOU FOUND THESE RESCUES FROM? People tend to think they are saving a rat by "setting them free", not a good idea. So I have captured some outside & other people have captured them & brought them to the city shelter/humane society or called my vet asking what to do. Rats adapt very well outside & do mate with Norway (wild) rats. I was called by our wildlife rescue to capture a rattie in a wood pile because they couldn't catch it. So I went there with a few yogies (yogurt treats) and she (they were calling it BEN & feeding "him" bratwurst!) came right up & I just had to scoop her into my cage. She was my biggest girl ever, although living outside she had a botfly larvae in her side.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU ENCOUNTER WHEN DEALING WITH RESCUED PETS? Figuring out their age because at different stages of a ratties life, health issues arise. Also if they have been socialized! I had one boy rat who seemed nice til he sunk his teeth into the back of my hand & wouldn't let go! (he got neutered  & was nice after that) & 2 ratties who were so tramatized by a college professors young son that I did eventually have them put down.

DO YOU FEEL THERE ARE SPECIAL RISKS INVOLVED WHEN TRYING TO FIND FOREVER HOMES FOR RATS AS OPPOSED TO CATS AND DOGS? The main risk is-- will the rat be snake food!!! And trying to find a home for rats-- not too many people want them because they are afraid. So I have never rehomed any of my rescues, they find their forever homes with me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FUTURE PET PARENTS WANTING TO TAKE IN A RESCUE? Make sure to ask questions, age, male/female, is he/she socialized & has she/he biten any one. (rats rarely bite if socialized properly) Make sure to adopt 2 or more of the same gender too. Rats are social animals 

WHAT DOES FOSTERING ENTAIL? I've only done it once and 2 years later I still have her! Be prepared to keep the rattie forever. Otherwise, make sure you have an agreement how long you will care for them & who will pay for expenses.

IF AN ANIMAL NEEDS IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION, WHAT DO YOU DO? Call a vet asap! Rats are very fragile and seconds count if it's a serious problem!

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO SOMEONE WHO HAS FOUND A RAT IN DISTRESS? Again, call a vet, animal control, humane society or the police! 


ARE THERE ANY WEBSITES OR HELPFUL RESOURCES THAT YOU RECOMMEND FOR SOMEONE THAT WANTS TO HELP OR IS LOOKING FOR A FOREVER HOME FOR A RESCUED RAT? Tons of info out there now! Just Google it!
I have 2 websites: www.freewebs.com/ratattackteam & www.BoulderRats.googlegroups.com & belong to Pittsburgh Rat LoversGroup http://groups.google.com/group/pittsburgh-rat-lovers-club?hl=en on GoogleGroups. There are rat groups on www.Care2.com too plus many rat rescues across the country. Joining a rat group helps you learn lots from experienced people.
For medical info : www.ratguide.com
For basic good info : www.joinrats.com or www.RMCA.org
Vet referral list: http://www.ratfanclub.org/vetrefw.html. 
I would suggest volunterring at shelters or being available to help transfer ratties or any animal to their forever homes. Join a rat group, they'll have many suggestions on how you can help!




Jan's Bio:
Wile E. Rat, my first guy who I captured outside where I worked, was about to be used as snake food by a construction worker who saw him. I didn't know a thing about rats except this was no ordinary rat. I took him home & got on the internet to find how to care for him. LOL, I didn't know it was a him (and it's so easy to tell now). He was so gentle & sweet. It wasn't until he got very sick at 2yrs old and needed to be euthanized when I called several vets to ask how they would euthanize a rat. Well, I found the one who would do it right & have stayed with them all these years. Since rats aren't that common for most vets, I provide them with rat knowledge. Rats are what woke me up to animal rights since rats & mice are used 95% for animal research which is the wrong species as they are nothing like humans! So I became a member of several animal advocate groups such as PETA, PCRM&Navs which promote the humane treatment of animals & research through non-animal methods.

One of my favorite quotes is " My furs are not in storage or lying across my bed, they're hanging from the cage door waiting to be fed"I have also read many delightful rat books too like Dr. Rat ( an Animal Farm type story) & The Amazing Maurice & his Educated rats (a Pied Piper story).


Jan has been on Etsy as RAT SAC Hammocks since January 9th, 2009. Check out her sales and customer feedback! You can find a treasury with some of her hammocks and other shop items in the Our Featured Shops page. And don't forget to see her rescues by clicking the Our Furbabies tab!

             
                           author: Amanda Milam (ChibiandCharming)