The phrase pocket pets is used now in our name instead of "Rabbit & Small Animal Adoptions" because too many people think that the phrase small animal means any animal other than farm animals or horses. Adopters were confused and were calling or emailing to find dogs, cats, and birds. Changing the name has helped to change the perception of the types of companion pets we have for adoption.
Did you know that New Zealand White and Florida White rabbits are some of the most misunderstood and unwanted breeds as adults? They make sweet looking "classic" Easter bunnies as babies, but they grow into adult rabbits. Pet stores stock them by the thousands across the country just in time for Easter. After people get tired of them for various reasons, they are dumped at shelters, rescues and given away for free in the papers. (Usually people get tired of them because a rabbit was an impulse buy to decorate a basket. No real thought goes into their purchase, they just wanted a cute decoration.)
Some of these rabbits can grow up to 12 pounds, most average around 6-8 pounds. Their size and the red eyes intimidate many people. These poor adult rabbits are often passed over in favor of a "cuter, smaller" rabbit. Even the smallest dwarf rabbits who are mostly white are passed over!
Many have the typical "lab rabbit" look that people feel sorry for but don't want to bring home. These rabbits are the last adopted at rescues or are left to die in shelters. It can take a very long time to find them a "real home" instead of a foster home. For instance, Benny was here for just over 2 years, Hansel & Gretel were here for just under 4 years with no prospects of a new home in sight before being adopted. Petri took almost a year to find a home and he was a dwarf with blue eyes, not red! Won't you consider meeting a rabbit like one of them? You will find that many of these white or mostly white rabbits are super sweet. They might just change your perspective on what "cute" really is. There are many white rabbits in the Southern CA area who are seeking homes. At least half of the rabbits we are asked to help are white or mostly white!
Once in foster care, each rabbit is temperament observed, spayed or neutered, litter-trained and socialized if needed. After this, the rabbit is placed into a permanent indoor home with a new family living in Southern California.
Some of the other types of small animals also known as pocket pets who also come into foster care includes rats, chinchillas, mice, guinea pigs and hamsters. (No illegal exotics such as ferrets or sugar gliders! We do not have permits for these animals and will not rescue them.) When foster homes have space, these little guys can be taken in. They are quarantined to ensure they are healthy, socialized and evaluated carefully to determine their temperament. Once this has been done, they are placed up for adoption.
We function as a "no-kill" rescue. Once a rabbit or small animal enters our care, that pet is here for life if need be. Pets are never euthanized to "make space" for the next one. This is good for the pets already here, but it means that one needs to be adopted to make space for one to come in. If pets such as Hansel and Gretel, or even a diabetic dwarf hamster come in and are not adopted for several years, that means the space is full. We have to turn away pets needing in when we are full.
One of the other ways we help the rabbits and small animals is by listing those in Animal Shelters. There are many rabbits and small pets who are left at the shelter to die after they become unwanted by their owners for various reasons! We get regular updates on these pets from many shelter volunteers. There are currently over 60 rabbits in Southern California shelters needing out. There are also many hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, and even reptiles like iguanas! If you are seeking a rabbit or small pet, and don't see one on Petfinder you are interested in adopting, please search our shelter page. These pets are in immediate danger of losing their lives. There are many small pets and rabbits of all types, sizes, ages, and colors sitting literally on death row.
The main website has many links to care tips, health tips, vet referrals and mail order products. This is a great resource for rabbit and small animal owners. Be sure to take a look!
We do not have non-profit status 501(c)3 at this time which means we cannot offer tax-deductable donations. The money to pay for the care of the rabbits and small animals comes mainly from volunteer paychecks and the adoption fees. We do not take on more pets than we can comfortably afford to care for at one time.
Our adoption procedures are very much like other rescue groups. We are located in Southern CA. Adoptions are only done locally. We do not ship animals out of state or to Northern California. All members living in the household must be met in person to ensure that everyone is agreeable to the selected pet as a new family member. The first step to adopting is filing out an adoption application. A volunteer will then call to speak with you on the phone to set up a meeting with the pets who are most appropriate for your family. A home check will be done before the pet is left at your house. You will also be asked to pay an adoption fee to help cover the expenses of the pet having been cared for while in foster care. The adoption fees are $65 for a single rabbit and $95 for a pair. This fee helps cover the costs of the spay/neuter surgery. (Neuter surgery costs $45, spay surgery costs $80-100) Rabbit adoption fees also help cover a small supply of pellets and hay the rabbit is used to, plus a favorite toy for each rabbit adopted.
Fees for small animals vary. Hamsters are $8 for those over 6 months old, and $10 for those under 6 months old. Guinea pigs are $30 each or $45 for a same sex pair. Rats are $10 each or $15 per pair. Chinchillas are $45-85 each. The fee includes a small supply of food your new pet is used to. Cages are not included unless noted. (There is an extra charge for included cages because these cages will have to be replaced for a new foster pet to use!)
Many of these pets, especially the rabbits, have lived in at least 3 traceable homes before coming into the foster system. Our goal is to place them in a permanent home when we adopt them so that they never feel the pain of being unwanted again. Because we are running a rescue, not a pet store, we don't simply "sell" the pet to the first person with the money. We try to match up pets and people so that everyone is going to be happy. We are as honest as possible when describing a pet, so that you don't end up with unexpected surprises at home. Please be as honest with us as possible about your expectations in a new pet so we can help you find a pet who will match your expectations. (Keep in mind that a pet can always do something at your house that wasn't done in a foster home, but we don't "hide" faults to "up" adoptions! If we don't have a pet who meets what you are looking for, we will ask you to wait to adopt. We don't want you unhappy.)
Some of our adoption policies include the following. We don't adopt pets to children. We adopt pets to the adult family members. Many of our fosters were once pets for the children. We have a responsiblity to these fur babies to refuse to allow them to go back into a home like that. Children can make great caretakers for pets, but, the adults need to realize that the ultimate responsibility falls on the adults. When the novelty wears off for the kids, if the adults don't want the pets also, the pets end up out of a home. It's a big reason there are pets of all types in need of rescue!
We never adopt any pet as a "gift". If you have someone you would like to give an animal to as a gift, please feel free to contact us. You are welcome to pay the adoption fee, but the new owner is the one who must meet our adoption criteria, including filling out the application, passing an adoption screening, signing the contract, presenting proof of pets allowed in their home, etc.
If you work outside the home, and do not have a pet like you are considering adopting, it's recommended that you adopt a pair of rabbits, guinea pigs or rats. A pair will mean that they keep each other company so you don't feel guilty later about "not having enough time" because you work all day. A pair really is not much more work than one and the benefits to each pet is so important. Rabbits, guinea pigs and rats are very social by nature, they thrive with their own company. A volunteer can help match your pet up with a compatible pet in one of our foster homes.
Rabbits adopted from our shelter are adopted as indoor only rabbits so please keep this in mind. We'll be happy to explain how to "bunny proof" so that you and the rabbits can co-habitat wonderfully. All small pets like guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats or hamsters are adopted to indoor only homes as well.
Please note, we do not adopt rabbits or small animals as "classroom pets or projects". If you are teacher seeking a pet rabbit or small animal who will visit the classroom but not live there on a permanent basis, please feel free to contact us. We do often have or know of extra kid friendly small animals who enjoy being petted by well behaved children and would like to visit at your class. However, if you are looking for "just a classroom animal" that no adult person is intending to take responsiblity for, please understand that your adoption application will be rejected. All pets adopted from us are to be adopted as pets for the person adopting, not just class projects. There are so many wonderful responsible teachers out there who want pets of their own, and you are more than welcome to contact us. We'll be glad to help you find a pet who will work well in your house and also be happy to visit your students on an occasional basis.
We realize that some people are disappointed that they can't meet ALL the pets, but it's too hard to coordinate with foster homes to get all the animals to the same place at the same time unless it's for a planned adoption event. (We have foster homes as far as 2 hours away.) In addition, some of the pets, epecially certain rabbits and chinchillas are shy and stress easily, even just meeting new people can be stressful.. It's not fair to make them endure a long car ride simply to have someone who just wants to say "hello". We know that most of you will understand that the pet's needs come first.
Most appointments are made on weekends but appointment times can be flexible somewhat depending on the schedules of foster families. Most meetings are in Northridge/Reseda, or in Woodland Hills, CA. (In the San Fernando Valley) Some of the fosters are located in Bakersfield, Torrance, and Los Angeles, as well as various other places. Depending on the situation, you might be asked to travel to the foster parent's area to meet the pets you are interested in. In some situations, we are willing to bring the pet closer to your home. (For instance, if a volunteer is going to be in your area, they might be able to bring them to you to meet!) Please plan on having all household members, including dogs, available to meet with the prospective pets. Cats do not need to be brought along for obvious reasons, but will be met during the home check.
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
