President and founder of Rabbit & Small Animal Rescue which was created to help save the lives of small animals, the ones that are typically forgotten about because they are neither a dog or a cat. Even though a rabbit is the 3rd most popular rabbit, they are discarded frequently as are the other pocket pets that we rescue.
In 1977 I was introduced to my first guinea pig, Piggy Boy; we found him in a KOA in Wyoming, his owner had lost him 4 weeks prior. He lived with me for 3 years and died from kidney failure. Since that time I have had at least 15 guinea pigs....all died of natural causes, most living 5-7 years. It wasn't until I became active volunteering in animal rescue that I was educated on behavior and proper diet of these little creatures. There were mistakes made in the first 25 years......we didn't have as many books or internet in 1977 so there was not much information available. With all the information avaialable on the internet and in books, it is much easier to learn how to take care of the smaller pets.
1982 my first rabbit Wreckless came into my life; he came from a dog pound in Arizona and he lived with me for 5 years, then became paralized for unknown reason and eventually died from upper respitory problems. Patches was my second rabbit that died from Pasturella and my third rabbit, Daisy is the reason I became involved in rabbit rescue. She was 7 years young when I found her unconscience and rushed her to the emergency clinc. It was too late, she died on the way there. A necropsy uncovered the cause of death, and was the first step to becoming educated about rabbits and smaller animals. Daisy had a large kidney stone in her kidney and that was the cause of death. The reason for the kidney stone was the diet I had been feeding her; alfalfa hay and alfalfa hay pellets. Since her death I have learned alot about proper rabbit and small animal care and behavior from Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary, the internet and various books. My personal goal is to find loving homes for our rescued animals, and to pass on as much good information to rabbit & small animal owners as possible so they can better care for their small animals.
In June 2007 I began fostering guinea pigs for another small animal rescue and when Rabbit & Small Animal Rescue came into existance I became more involved and began fostering guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, chinchilla's and mice. I help clean cages, wash laundry, feed the furries and organize.
Wanda adopted 3 wonderful rats (Happy, Laverne & Shirley) from Rabbit & Small Animal Rescue and has been with the group since 2008. Some of the small critters need more socializing then others, so Wanda takes them home and gives them lots of love and attention. Wanda also helps feed and clean frequently during the week and does some of the laundry as well as organizing.
Jennifer has been with the group since April 2008. She has a few furries, feathers and fins of her own that she takes great care of. Maggie has been with Jennifer over 7 years when she was adopted. Maggie is an elderly little doggy with a big heart that loves all the furries that live with them; she thinks she is their mom. Cozi, a beautiful birdy that Jennifer has had for many years, Lulu & Gizzy are her rabbit's (Gizzy was adopted from Rabbit & Small Animal Rescue). Jennifer helps to feed, clean and organize for the rescue and she fosters: rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters for us. Jennifer has vast knowledge of how to care for the little guys as well as birds and reptiles.