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~ A Day in the Life of a Small Mammal Fosterer~

In the summer months the day starts at around 7 to 7.30 am ( a bit later sometimes in the winter months ), I go outside to uncover the hutches, I like to cover at night in case of a sudden downpour, it also discourages foxes, if the weather is very warm I cover just enough to keep them dry, I check everyone is ok and that water bottles and food pots are full, and they have a small veg breakfast, if the weather is fine the rabbits go out into their runs for the day. The guinea pigs have either a morning or afternoon out, I make sure they have water and covers either for shade or to keep them dry should there be a shower, they also have tubes, toys and boxes of hay to sleep in or to eat during their time outside.

Every other day the guinea pigs have a full clean out, the rabbits litter trays are emptied daily with any wet hay or straw they might have, and they have a full clean out once a week or more often if needed, which depending on how many I have in at that time usually takes between one or two hours, I also have my own to care for, then it’s off to stock up with fresh vegetables and sometimes to replenish hay and straw stocks, as you would be amazed at how much you can use in a week, my car often looks more like a mobile hutch than a car.

In the afternoon, I do try to give them all a brush, check claws, trim any if needed, and give time to any that need extra handling, like the three 7 month male guinea pigs I have at the moment who were never picked up in their former home, so came in as wild as any I’ve ever seen, they had just been left to run loose in a garden, what a shock for them to have to be picked up after so long, they are coming round to it slowly though now, as most of our guinea pigs are given new homes by families, they need to be tame as children do like to be able to handle their new pets.

If we have prospective adopters then we also go out to do a home check to see whether all is in place for the animals, a suitable sized hutch and a secure run, and to make sure that new owners are fully aware of the commitment they are taking on. Also once a month some of the animals are taken to fundraising days, and we also help out at any other of our fundraising events such as our dog shows.
All the animals mostly have their tea about 4.30 pm, sometimes later if I am out, and a little earlier in the winter, this consists of all the animals having their main vegetable meal of the day, they have a good variety of fruit, greens and root vegetables, then just before it gets dark I go out and cover again for the night.