Help

I really do not like asking for help with funds, I feel as if we are begging. But I know that if we do not write or ask for help, people will not know the little ones are in need.
We have some spays and neuters coming up and, also , more than likely, another ferret adrenal surgery. On April 12th we have 3 rabbits getting spayed. We are getting Diva, Miss. Fancy Pants and Tippy the rabbits spayed. That will cost about $300. Also on April 12th, Arnold the rat is getting neutered. That will be close to another $80. Arnold came back after being adopted. He started showing severe signs of cage aggression. We are getting him neutered to help calm his cage aggression, then he will be moving to a foster home. Today we took in a male ferret, who is already diagnosed with adrenal disease. The best and most permanent course of treatment for adrenal disease is to have the adrenal tumor surgically removed. Shots and implants only take away the symptoms, while the tumor remains and grows. We always go for the best treatment for the ferret to help them have a long and happy life ahead. The adrenal surgery can cost anywhere from $200 to $300. I do hate throwing costs out there and "begging" for hep with money. I just want to show everyone what we are up against in the month of April. So far, vet costs are going to be high. That is what brings me to asking for help. We are not incorporated yet, any checks need to be filled out to Ray and/or Rachel Murphy. We do not have a bank account for the rescue yet. Therefore we cannot cash any checks made out to Life Long Tails. Donations can be sent to - 4 Wellworth place , Cheektowaga , NY 14225.

Last month we took in the 21 rats. 2 males have been adopted and 4 males are now in foster care. Over the weekend, one of the females had 14 babies! She didn't even show signs of being pregnant , she was as slim as can be. She must have been with a male right before she was transported to us. This bring up our numbers , A lot! We would appreciate any help as far as bedding (carefresh or aspen), food, toys . The rats also love cereal and tofu. We would also love any treats for the rescues in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits (just no iceberg lettuce or celery please) .
Thank you for chipping in with funds or donating supplies and/or food. It means a lot to us and the little ones.
If I have not sent out a thank you to someone who has donated or gotten back to anyone who has called or e-mailed, please sit tight. It has been extremely busy this month ( March) . We will get to everyone. Thank you for being patient.

Nizzle

I know I haven't posted in a while. I do need to catch up on the many adoptions , surrenders and even birth of babies.
What I want to write about first in this entry is about Nizzle the ferret. I am not sure if everyone remembers the female ferret, Nizzle, that arrived with adrenal disease. She had a tumor on her right adrenal gland. We fund raised for her , and many wonderful people contributed for her surgery. She went in for surgery to have that tumor removed. But sadly, what was found was grave. The tumor was incredibly large and could not be removed. Also given the size of the tumor and how quickly it grew, Dr.T was certain it was cancerous. Just this weekend , Nizzle fell very ill. She was rushed to All Creatures Animal Hospital, because Dr.T wasn't in on Saturday. A large tumor was found on her stomach, her cancer had spread. Nizzle passed away on Sunday :( Her foster Mom misses her so much. Loosing such a special companion is very difficult.
I want to thank everyone who donated and chipped in for Nizzle's surgery. I truly wish the outcome would have been much better for her. If only the entire tumor could have been removed. She did enjoy a few more months of love and comfort with her foster Mom.

Snake Food on Craiglist!

I was just informed about a posting on Craiglist. I read it over and will post it here as a warning. This is the post-
"I know most of you have an issue with the fact that snakes are creatures too and all creatures need to eat something but such is life. I will take your unwanted precious little rats for a low price but will use them as feeders. C'mon people you have to know that that's where they're going anyway. If you truely don't want that to happen then make sure your rats don't breed or keep them all yourself. Otherwise they will end up in the hands of a snake owner. Yes I know you get attached or whatever but they're nuisance rodents who breed rapidly and in great numbers anyway, nobody wants these things as pets anymore. So if you're irresponsible enough to allow your rats to breed then you don't want all the babies then suck it up and let them go as feeders, it's what's happening anyway..."

To anyone who is re homing their mice, rats, guinea pigs, even rabbits! Please, never give them as " free to a good home" Always attach a rehoming fee. At least this person was honest as to where the rats are going (although I still shudder) most people will lie and say that are going to be loved pets to the owner's face, then once they get the pet home they turn around and feed them to a snake they have. I urge everyone to ask for references, vet references and proof of an adequite cage set up at home. Ask for past history with that type of pet and see what their knowledge is for care on that pet as well. If the person gets defensive or refuses to answer questions or provide proof of a home for the pet or references. Then that person was probably dishonest.
I do understand that snakes need to eat. There is always the option of frozen/ thawed food. I know some snakes are picky. But taking someone's beloved pet that they are looking for a caring home for and doing the unspeakable...ugh!
I just wanted to get this out there to anyone who may be looking for a loving home for their little one(s) on Craiglist. Be very very careful!

Milton and Cleo Neutered and Daisy

On Monday, the two male rats Milton and Cleo were neutered by Dr.Tomaschke. We are hoping this helps their adoptabilty. They can now live with female rats without any consequences.
We have also placed Daisy the guinea pig back up for adoption. Enough time has gone by where we know for certain now that she isn't pregnant. She is a wonderful lethal guinea pig. She is blind and deaf, but very capable of a normal guinea pig life. She is missing an incisor tooth , but despite this her front teeth have maintained a proper length since we have had her with us. She doesn't have any other teeth issues. She is now ready for someone to bring her home and love her unconditionally.
pictured above is Daisy.

Guinea Pig Adoptions :)

What a wondeful weekend we had. 5 guinea pigs went to their forever homes. Inca, Maxwell, Tommy, Buddy and Baby now have a loving home and family.
Pictured Top to bottom is - Buddy, baby, Tommy, Maxwell, Inca

Rats!!!!!

Life Long Tails small pet rescue just took in 16 male rats and 5 female rats. They are rats that were used to educate animal husbandry to students. Now they are retired from their purpose and are looking for forever loving homes.
Since this is a large number of rats, we are desperately seeking donations. Donations of funds and supplies. We can use aspen bedding and Carefresh bedding for them. Any rat approved foods, treats and toys. They love cereals, fruits and vegetables.
Of course we would love anyone who would like to adopt one, two or three :)
There are regular eared ones and dumbo eared. There are blue colored ones, white with black eyes , white with red eyes, there are dark black and browns. Quite the mix of lovely , squishy ( cuddly) rats.
They were all born on January 15th 2010.
Thank you everyone
www.lifelongtails.org
rachel@lifelongtails.org

The Loss of Sara

On Monday, March 1st, Sara the rabbit went to the vet for her spay surgery. She went into Cardiac arrest halfway through the surgery and was lost. Dr.Tomaschke, the Seneca Animal Hospital staff and everyone at Life Long Tails Small Pets-Big Hearts is mourning the loss of Sara.