Most animal shelters give priority to their dogs and cats, and often euthanize all of their rabbits. Adopting a rabbit from a shelter saves a life, and discourages breeding. Rabbit breeders do not have any incentive to tell adopters about the expense of rabbit spay/neuter and the health problems that can result if they are not fixed. They do not often encourage quality rabbit care such as indoor housing, exercise, and proper nutrition. Adopting a rabbit from a shelter SAVES money when you consider the included spay/neuter and discount coupons  for local rabbit supply stores. More people are choosing to adopt rabbits now that more information is known about their health and behavior.

Watsonville Animal Shelter takes good care of its rabbits. These creatures have already been abandoned or neglected, and we want their second home to be their lifelong home. Rabbits are the third most commonly surrendered animal, plus many owners decide to let their rabbits "live in the wild." Unfortunately, domestic rabbits are very different from wild rabbits and are usually killed by wildlife soon after being let loose. Although most rabbit owners keep their rabbits outside in a hutch, this is not safe for rabbits. Outdoor rabbits get bitten by mosquitoes which carry a disease, called Myxomatosis, which is fatal to rabbits. It can reduce the normal rabbit lifespan (10-15 years) down to 3 years. That's why hutch rabbits do not live very long. Also, rabbits can be frightened to death by wild animals that try to get into the hutch.

Once spayed and neutered, rabbits make excellent house pets. Spaying and neutering eliminates urine marking and excessive chewing. They can be easily litter box trained, and actually smell better than cats because they are vegetarian! They need a newspaper-based litter because clay, cedar and pine litters will damage their respiratory systems. They love to run around the house, take naps on the sofa, and play with rabbit toys. They should be kept in a bunny room or X-pen when they are not being supervised. Many of the rabbits who come to the shelter have had previous owners and enjoy cuddling with humans.

Most rabbits get along great with cats. Rabbits can also get along with some dogs, especially if the dog is calm, well-trained, and mature. Rabbits do not always get along with children. Kids are not always gentle with these creatures, and they can easily break a limb or backbone. Young kids ignore rabbit body language, such as "I want to be put down," and rabbits can get depressed or destructive when they are ignored. We recommend spending at least an hour a day supervising bunny exercise, and handling the rabbit daily to give them affection. They often get lonely and may need a bunny friend for company if the owners are gone all day.

Rabbits drink more water than cats. They also need an unlimited amount of hay (alfalfa for babies, timothy for adults), alfalfa or timothy pellets, and 1-2 cups of fresh vegetables each day. They usually prefer herbs and lettuces, but can eat most vegetables. Treats should be given only once a day, and only in small quantities. One raisin has enough sugar for a whole day. Treats include carrots, beets, and fresh or dried fruits. They should avoid corn, tomato, seeds, grains, beans, avocado, bamboo, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, and processed foods.

Many birds become isolated and lonely when owners get tired of spending time with them. They usually react to neglect by self-mutilating or biting. Mickaboo is a great bird rescue organization that rehabilitates these neglected birds and finds good homes for them. They offer free bird care classes, and always need foster homes.  If you already have a bird or know someone who does, it is important to know about common mistakes that owners make.Finches live 5-10 years, canaries 10-15 years, and many parrots live 80 years. They should be given a safe home where they can live out their lives in good health and good company.

Small birds, such as the finch or canary, need large flight cages. The height of the cage does not help the bird at all: flight cages are very wide and short. These birds need to fly in a horizontal direction. Many cages are made from metals that are dangerous to birds when they use them to sharpen their beaks. Iron or lead poisoning is a common cause of death for birds. Cuttlebone is a great thing to have for your bird to sharpen his beak on, but it will not prevent him from using the cage as well. Parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, and other parrots need protein pellets in addition to bird seed. A 100% bird seed diet can lead to behavior problems and a shorter lifespan. Harrison's is an excellent brand of bird pellets. Birds also benefit from fresh fruits and veggies.

Parrots and cockatiels need to spend at least an hour a day outside of their cage, socializing with their owner. You can train them to poop in their cage by taking them out right after pooping, and putting them back in if they poop outside the cage. Remember to give them short potty breaks if you keep them out for very long! This training will make it more pleasant for you to spend time with your bird, and more social time will make your bird very happy!

Most cages for guinea pigs are too small. It is easy to construct a cheap cage with cubes and coroplast (click here for more info), or you can buy a 2ft x 4ft Marchioro cage from a pet store. It will bring you so much joy to see your guinea pig more active and happy in the extra space he needs. Cavy Spirit is a great rescue organization that offers adoptions and info.

Guinea Pigs also need unlimited cavy pellets without added seeds, nuts, corn or grains. They eat unlimited timothy or grass hay (alfalfa for babies), and a tiny amount of fresh veggies (such as one large lettuce leaf in a day). Fruits should be served sparingly, as in once a week. Vitamin C deficiency is common, and the best prevention is proper diet, with veggies and fruits that have vitamin C. However, you can also buy chewable human vitamin C tablets, crush them, and sprinkle them on veggies. Guinea Lynx has medical info and a great list of veggies and fruits with vitamin C. These guys need to have fresh bedding made from towels, recycled paper, or pine pellets/shavings. Cedar shavings can be harmful to the pig's respiratory system. Guinea pigs can live for 6-9 years if they are kept healthy and happy.

Hamsters are nearsighted, and are more likely to nip people if they can't see your hand coming to pick it up. The best strategy is to speak to the hamster before handling him, as he will become used to your voice. Cup your hands around the hamster to pick it up, and be careful not to let him walk off the edge of your hand or anything they could fall from. You can also use an empty toilet paper tube or paper towel tube to pick up a hamster. Once your hamster knows you, you can train him to "come" and do other tricks with the help of treats. They have a very short memory, and you should have realistic expectations. Never punish your hamster, as it is your responsibility to provide hamster-friendly toys and environment. Wood chews, exercise wheel, and an hour of handling per day is needed for mental health and happiness. Hamster balls are the best way to give your hamster exercise outside his cage. He can go inside the ball and roll around in your house, usually without interference from other pets. Some dogs and cats need to be supervised, even with the hamster ball.

Reptiles are susceptible to skin and bacterial infections, so cleaning regularly is very important. Daily remove feces and uneaten food, using a sand sifter if necessary. Weekly clean habitat and decorations, using soap without phenol or pine scent and herp safe terrarium cleaner. Salmonella is a common bacteria that reptiles get, and it can spread to humans. Rocks can be boiled for sterilization. Branches and sand can be rinsed thoroughly and baked at 200-250 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Iguanas are ideal pets for patient people, as they take awhile to tame. They thrive in a consistent environment and need daily routines for cleaning, feeding, playing, and napping. They will not be happy if you travel frequently, move, or have an irregular schedule. These guys live about 20 years if cared for properly. Iguanas can reach 6 ft. and up to 15 pounds. Just imagine how much room they need for exercise and roaming! Some people actually give them a special bedroom with tropical plants and high humidity, but the minimum space they need (just to turn around) is 8ft. by 4ft. The most important thing to consider about the enclosure space is the opening. Iguanas avoid predators by climbing into high trees, so shadows or hands picking them up from above can be very traumatic. A side-opening enclosure is best, especially if the enclosure is kept high (eye level or higher). Ladders and shelves should be made from wood or the plastic-coated wire shelving that is sold for closets. The plastic-coated shelving is the easiest to clean, and luckily, the bottom of the enclosure can be flat plastic or glass, which is also easy to clean. Climbing structures will help the Iguana to keep his muscles strong and will bring him great satisfaction. Surprisingly, Iguanas do enjoy laying on towels and pillows. If you use these, be sure to keep them separate from the ones you use! Iguanas need UVB lighting for vitamins and regulate their metabolism. The most difficult aspect of caring for an Iguana is actually regulating temperature. Iguanas need a range of temperature at all times. One area of the enclosure should be 75 degrees, and another area should be as high as 95 degrees. This is necessary because 30-40% of the digestion process is accomplished with the help of light and heat. Moving between temperatures is actually NECESSARY for them to digest all of the nutrition in their food. This can't be done by timed heating because 95 degree heat will burn the Iguana if he sits there for long enough to reach that body temperature. Heat rocks regularly kill Iguanas because these guys only regulate temperature from their head, not their skin like other reptiles. Space heaters are best for free-roaming Iguanas, and ceramic heat emitters are best for glass or plastic enclosures. Green Iguanas are herbivores, which means no crickets or small animals! Many people feed these "meals" to their Green Iguana, but it is very hard on the kidney's and will lead to medical problems and premature death. Two cups of finely shredded organic plant material is normal for an adult. Their diet should be 70% vegetables, 20% fruits, and 10% flowers. Unfortunately, flowers bought from the florist are all sprayed with pesticides and cannot be used. Dandelions will become your best friend! Most people laugh when they first learn that Iguanas need actual love. Do humans even know what love is? To an Iguana, love means that you talk to him for long periods of time, petting and stroking, and playful activities. If you take the time to get to know your Iguana, you will notice when he is grouchy and what it is that upset him. Iguanas who end up at shelters need emotional space when you first move them into a new environment. As he gets used to his new home, you can handle him more frequently without putting too much stress on him. He will love you even more if you pick him up from below! CLICK HERE for a great website on Iguana care and more reasons to adopt a rescued Iguana.

Bearded Dragons are best known for puffing their cheeks and gaping their mouth. This is done when they are startled or feel threatened, especially during breeding season. They also change color from brown to pale tan. Bearded Dragon's make great pets because they are calm, tolerant, and are great fun when they decide to explore. They enjoy being misted a few days a week, and need a water bowl--the wider the better. They need crickets, worms, or cockroaches 3-5 times per week. These feeders should be sprinkled with a calcium supplement before feeding. Also, the dragon needs small daily portions of shredded veggies or fruit. Good veggies include: dandelion, kale, parsley, clover, broccoli, peas, green beans, zucchini, squash, carrots, sweet potato, and bell pepper. They are best kept in aquariums with tightly sealed tops. Mesh tops allow heat to escape and can cause abrasion on the feet and nose. They will enjoy a flat rock, especially if it emits heat. They need to be kept above 70 degrees F at night, and 78-88 degrees F during the day.

Chameleons prefer to live alone and are very sensitive to changes in their environment. CiN (Cameleon information Network) was established to help educate new owners about this sensitive pet. The chameleon is very territorial and even his own reflection can cause enough stress that he will stop eating. They are very shy and do not like to be picked up. If you need to move him, let him walk slowly onto your hand. The aquarium should be lined on the outside with paper or posters so that he can't see any reflections. Cover the aquarium with a mesh top that allows good ventilation. He will need plenty of vertical and horizontal perches for climbing around. It is more fun to use decorations of various colors so that you can see him blend with his environment. You can use live plants that are safe, such as Hibiscus, Ficus, Schefflera, Bougainvillaea, Pothos, and ferns. They need a 50-60% humidity, so a mister or drip system is needed. Chameleons will not drink from a bowl of water, and need droplets on the plant leaves. Appropriate light should keep the aquarium at 90-100 degrees F, although they need to bask in the light rather than keep warm. They need feeder food twice a week: crickets, worms, cockroaches, flies, cicadas, grasshoppers, caterpillars, silkworms or moths, pinkie mice, or walking sticks. Again, these need to be sprinkled with a calcium supplement. They may eat a little mustard or collard greens if you mist them. They will stop eating if they get bored with their food, so they need as much variety as possible. Do you have any neighborhood kids who can hunt bugs for you?

The Red-Eared Slider Turtle likes to spend most of its time in water, but also get some sunbathing on land. He will need an aquarium or wading pool large enough for 55 gallons of water. Red-Eared Sliders are not native to this area of California, but are commonly found stray during the rainy season because people let their pets go. These guys will hibernate for most of the year because it is too cold here. When you first bring him home, he will hide in his shell. Once he knows you are the food source, he will be more social. They need aquarium gravel to transition from water to land. Land should consist of cork bark, driftwood, or smooth rocks. Water temperature should be 75-86 degrees F, with a basking spot that reaches 85-90 degrees farenheit. This is usually achieved with a reflector or a full spectrum UVA-B light. If there is not adequate sunlight, a UVA-B light is necessary anyway. 25-50% of the water needs to be siphoned away each week for cleaning because the turtle will urinate in the water and bacteria will grow. It is best to keep feed the turtle in a separate tank away from the water, to prevent unnecessary bacteria growth. You can also use an under-gravel water filter or external water filter; the bigger the better. A smaller tank can be used to feed the turtle once daily, for 15 minutes. Young turtles eat more protein, and adults eat more veggies. Feeder fish, worms, pinkie mice, crickets, finely chopped raw lean beef or beef heart, cooked chicken, snails, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelions, carrots, squash, green beans, apples, melon, berries, banana, grapes, tomato, plum, nectarine, peaches and sweet potatoes should be dusted with a calcium supplement before feeding. Fruits and veggies should be grated. The Red-Eared Turtle grows up to 12 inches, and lives 50-70 years.