At the GSPCA we often get asked about dogs and cats looking for homes, but many forget the other pets in need at the Animal Shelter.
In recent years we have seen a growing number of stray and unwanted ferrets and rabbits and currently we have 19 ferrets and 16 rabbits at the GSPCA.
Some are still in their 21 days as a stray whilst we look for their owners or on treatment, but we do have 13 rabbits and 11 ferrets in need of new homes.
Both the ferrets and rabbits are neutered before rehoming and we microchip the rabbits. We also treat them for any other ailments and will carry out a home visit before they are homed.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "Each year at the GSPCA we have seen an increase in rabbits and ferrets both as strays and unwanted pets."
"Last year we saw over 100 rabbits and over 30 ferrets in Guernsey at the GSPCA and this is likely to increase once again in 2014."
"Many of the ferrets we have brought in are escaped pets and some like Sanchez and Bobbie which were found in Rue des Grantez with no mother in site and very young are being born in the wild."
"Ferrets make fantastic pets and are very clever, you can walk them on a lead and this has been going on since the time of the Egyptians and once neutered don't smell as bad as many people think."
"The Romans first brought rabbits to Guernsey and they too can make fantastic pets and we have many brought in as strays each year and with very few owners coming forward for their missing pets."
"With over 20 ferrets and rabbits in need of a home at the GSPCA you can see many of them in our outside runs next to the reception area and also on Bunny Hop Hill next to our duck pond."
"You can house train both ferrets and rabbits but if you are looking for a hutch then we do sell very large hutches at the Shelter please call us on 257261 for details."
To see the rabbits and ferrets in need of a new home please click here.
Here are some interesting facts about ferrets:
- An unspayed female ferret is called a jill while a spayed female is a sprite.
- An intact male is a hob and a neutered male is called a gib.
- Baby ferrets are called kits.
- Ferrets have been domesticated for thousands of years; in fact, on the walls of some Egyptian tombs there are pictures of ferret-like creatures on leashes.
- Ferrets have no inherent fear of humans.
- A group of ferrets is known as a business.
- A newborn ferret is so small that it can fit into a teaspoon!
- All ferret kits have white fur at birth. After kithood (6-8 weeks of age) ferrets make very few sounds.
- The average ferret lives to be 6 or 7 years old. Ferrets like to crawl into small dark spaces to sleep.
- Ferrets are members of the mink family.
- Ferrets can sleep so soundly that they cannot be woken up even when picked up and jostled.
- A small ferret may be able to squeeze through a hole just over an inch in diameter.
Here are some rabbit facts:
- A female rabbit is called a doe.
- A male rabbit is called a buck.
- A young rabbit is called a kit (or kitten).
- Rabbits live in groups.
- The European rabbit lives underground, in burrows.
- A group of burrows is known as a warren or a nest.
- More than half of the world’s rabbits live in North America.
- Rabbits have long ears which can be as long as 10 cm (4 in).
- Rabbits have a lifespan of around 10 years.
- Rabbits are herbivores (plant eaters).
- Pet rabbits that live inside are often referred to as ‘house rabbits’.
- Rabbits reproduce very quickly.
- This can be a major headache for people living in agricultural areas where rabbits are seen as pests.
- Rabbits are born with their eyes closed and without fur.
Don't forget until Friday this week we are holding guided tours at the Shelter please call 01481 257261 for details.
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