Critter Rescue SA take in the smaller creatures that are often forgotten about; they care for rabbits, hedgehogs, and so many other cute critters.
Johannesburg, South Africa (18 February 2022) – Everyone loves a fluffy little bunny or the bulging cheeks of a greedy little hamster. These are the pets of our youth, and sadly, many of them end up at animal welfare organisations.
Critter Rescue SA was founded in 2018 to help take care of these little critters that are abandoned or abused. Currently, the organisation is caring for 700 animals. These include rats, bunnies, hedgehogs, tenrecs, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, reptiles and degus.
It started when Karien van Wyk did a home check for Lauren Namer, who founded the Little Critter Rescue Club. Lauren needed to close the organisation, so Karien offered to take it over. CRSA was officially registered as a non-profit organisation during September 2018 and received its NPO status during October 2018.
The team rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes various critters and sometimes even cats, dogs or birds. Some of the residents have taken up long-term space with Karien due to old age or specific health issues.
“Over the last 3 years CRSA grew to one of the most recognised small exotic and rodent rescue organisations in South Africa, although we mostly rehome in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State. Critter Rescue SA is based in Gauteng and all adoptions can be done on the website. The animals are split between 2 premises and a few fosters and the public are welcome to visit our adoption days where they can meet the animals up for adoption.”
Karien and the team started with six bunnies and two guinea pigs, and today, they have the following animals in their care:
- 2 x Tenrecs
- 37 x African Pygmy Hedgehogs
- 32 x Hamsters
- 106 x Rats
- 44 x Chinchillas
- 182 x Guinea Pigs
- 255 x Bunnies.
“We launched our website during August 2021 with the help of the amazing team from Laurus Media and our supporters can now view most of the animals in our care as well as do virtual adoptions, our trap and sterie projects (which our amazing vet, Dr Jackie Sharp, from Sunninghill Village Vet assists us with) and purchase goods for themselves and their critters for our online shop.”
While many of the animals they take in are stray, sick or injured, quite a few come from accidental litters. Sadly, families that purchase animals from pet shops are not given the full information on the care of exotic animals and rodents. This can lead to the accidental breeding of animals.
“We try and focus on stray, sick or injured animals but with the pet shops not educating people and giving people the correct information on the proper care of exotic animals and rodents, we found that most of our surrenders are from accidental litters. We also assist with breeder confiscations/surrenders and most of these animals will end up on our virtual adoption page due to health issues.
As with most rescue organisations, we rely on donations to help us sterilize and care for the animals in our care.”
You can donate directly using the details below or find out more about the organisation via Facebook, Instagram or the Website.
Critter Rescue SA
FNB, Business Account
Account number: 62781751716
Branch code: 250 655
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ
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