It started with the rats....

We have made many friends through the rescue and rehoming work at Animal Concern North, but few have helped as many of our unwanted and abandoned critters as Carol and Chris. This fabulous couple have repeatedly returned to give a fantastic 'forever home' to some of the more difficult to rehome of our residents. This is their journey so far, written by Carol. We expect it will be added to in time!.....

It all began with the rats. We had lost a few of our elderly rescuees and wanted to replace the gaps they'd left. We had also recently lost 2 middle aged female Degus with teeth problems and the 2 we had were rattling about in their huge house and, as they love company, we wanted a few more of these delightful small furries. Finally, we had taken in a stray Chinchilla who had given birth to and lost 3 babies and so wanted a lifetime pal for her. That's when we contacted Animal Concern and were delighted to find we could fill all three species. We actually wanted girl rats but when we went to meet Amber and she had 2 Dumbo adults and 3 baby boys, we fell in love and that set us off with our already huge love for this under appreciated and frequently abandoned species. If we have room for an unwanted rat, we will take it. As our rats run free for half of the day, we never really have bother. The girls bully the neutered boys so they have to take 12 hour shifts, otherwise they could wreck the lounge together 24 hours a day! The Degus settled in nicely and we were quite appalled to find out how many of this charming species end up unwanted and made the same resolve, if we could fit them in, we'd have them. Our boys being neutered, we can always take girls and other neutered boys. The delightful Chinchilla that we got, Shadow, is such a lady that she soon settled in with her new friend and then the rest of our crew once they were bonded. We later got a Mum and son too who settled instantly into their new home which was lovely for us, to have a baby Chinchilla to enjoy. Sadly, we lost him at a young age but have been lucky enough to get a pregnant female and her Husband so soon should have more babies to spoil. We were also elated to discover that there were some Chipmunks available for homing at Animal Concern. Our 2 boys, even though neutered, do not get on and we wanted a pal or two for our bullied boy and that's what we got. They don't love one another, but enjoy the same space if we are about to give out treats. They will never sleep together but always nosey at what one another is doing, they like to know there's another of their species about!