Small animals and wildlife

Each of our residents is desperate to find their forever home, so please browse through the photographs and click on the ones where you would like to find out more detail.  Small animals need just as much care as the larger ones, so please take your time and if you have further questions that need answering don’t hesitate to give us a call.  Liverpool 0151 931 1604, Wales 01286 880 808

Welcome to the Small Animal & Wildlife Unit

Annually we rescue, re-home or release in the region of 600 small animals and birds. Our policies state that all animals however large or small are equal. They feel pain, know cold and hunger and have a basic right to the same respect and care that we would ask for ourselves. The living creature that is a small animal or bird is of no less value than a dog, cat or indeed human and at Freshfields our passion is to educate, to spread the word until these basic concepts are as obvious to the rest of society as they have always been to both our staff and our volunteers.

If you would like to adopt an animal please visit us at the rescue any day between 12 and 4pm or search our website for details of those animals looking for that second chance.

Please note we never re-home singly any animal that would normally live as part of a group. Sociable creatures are not happy left to the mercy of the human schedule, if they would normally live as part of a family group then company should be available always. With rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and many other species we would never re-home them without a companion. If you have a query don’t hesitate to contact one of our wildlife team who will happily discuss with you the needs of some of these wonderful creatures that are in our care.

A note on the rehoming process:

Unit staff will advise you of the type of housing needed for the species of animal you have selected, including size, layout, stability etc.  We view the period of time an animal spends here at the rescue as simply a transitionary period, therefore it is important that the set-up in a new home is right from the outset.  Freshfields has a reputation for being strict in our rehoming policies, but you shouldn't be put off by this, it is understandably our hope that any new home our animals move to will be theirs for life.  The standard that we set, we are sure, is no higher than that  potential adoptees would wish for the animals themselves.

For those of you planning to adopt a companion for your existing pet it's vital that the right choices are made and that the two make a firm bond before settling into their new home with you. The smoothest way for this transition to take place is here at the rescue where we can monitor your animal and his/her companion over a period of days. Please be aware that your existing pet may be required to stay with us for up to 7 days and as minimum an overnight stay should be expected. This is a necessary part of the adoption process. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the bonding process at the rescue or our requirements of you please be sure to ask them before committing yourselves to any expense such as new housing for the animals.

Freshfields is or has been (at one time or another) home to all of the creatures listed:

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chinchilla’s, Mice, Rats, Gerbils, Hamsters, Degu, Chipmunks, ferrets etc, etc.

We look forward to hearing from you!