Rspca Medway West Branch

Looking After Animals In Kent

We occasionally have other animals that come into our centre that are looking for new homes. This can vary as we have a wide selection of animals that come in.

This section will give details of animals at our centre, animals that are with foster carers or names of other rescues that take certain animals.

African Land Snails

We are inundated with African Land Snails. These range in size from a few millimetres to 6-7 inches. We have had many large groups come in and this has caused our centre to have over 500 snails looking for new homes. Snails are easy to care for and we would be willing to give advice on housing and feeding. For more information please contact

RSPCA Medway West Branch

01634 681187

Housing: A good sized, well-ventilated plastic or glass tank with a secure lid makes a good home (for full grown snails count on a 5-10 gallon tank as a minimum). Provide a 1-2 inch layer of soil or compost as a substrate (allow the snails to burrow). Pieces of wood, cork bark or clay flower pots provide an interesting landscape and hiding spots for the snails. The substrate will need to be cleaned out weekly. Mist the tank to keep the substrate slightly damp (not wet, though).

Temperature: Although they come from a tropical climate, GALS seem to adapt well to lower temperatures. Their tank can be kept anywhere from 65-84 F (18-29 C) but 70-77 F (21-25 C) is a good range to aim for. If you need to heat the tank use heat strips available for reptile habitats, under half the tank only. Keep in mind that if you are heating the cage it will dry out faster and you will need to make sure the humidity is maintained.

Feeding: GALS mostly need a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, such as cucumber, lettuce (remember, dark leafy types of lettuce such as romaine are more nutritious than head lettuce such as iceberg lettuce), peppers, apple, nectarine, grapes, banana, peach, plums, melon, papaya, leafy greens (e.g.spinach, kale), green beans, corn on the cob, tomatoes, etc. Some will also eat brown bread and moistened dog biscuits.

Calcium Source: Snails need calcium supplementation to keep their shell strong, so provide a piece of cuttlebone or other calcium supplement (check the bird section at the pet store).

Water: Providing water in a bowl is not a strict necessity as long as the tank is misted regularly (they get lots of moisture from their foods). However, a shallow bowl can be provided - one designed for reptiles with the stepped edges is ideal to keep the snail from slipping into the bowl.

Handling: These snails do not seem to mind being handled, but you must be gentle with them and avoid damaging the shell. Moistening your hands before holding them is recommended by some owners. The shell is most fragile at the base where it is next to the body, so try to avoid picking them up by this part of the shell, and be careful to provide solid support to the body and shell.

Ferrets

Both Rescues are always over run with ferrets

looking for new homes

Harrietsham Ferret Rescue

Roy Wilson - 01622 851690

Medway Ferret Rescue

Pam Sirett - 01634 221010

Donations

Animals such as Chinchilla’s , Chipmunks & birds usually go to a foster home where they have the time a facilities to give them the best possible care. All these animals usually have a minimum donation fee. This will either be stated on the website or via the foster career.

Chinchilla's & Chipmunk's

All chinchilla’s and chipmunk’s go to one of our volunteers ‘Dave’ who fosters them and re-homes them from his home.

Dave has a large amount of Chinchilla's looking for new homes, he has a variety of colours, ages and has Singles, Pairs and Trio's all needing new homes.

For adoption fees and to arrange a viewing please contact Dave direct.

Chipmunks – Dave has a few Chipmunks looking for new homes.

For information on ages, sexes and adoption fees please contact Dave direct.

For all the information you will need about the Chinchilla’s and Chipmunks in our care

Please Contact Dave Direct on : - 01634 408149

Birds

All our birds are fostered by one of are volunteers ‘Dave’.

Dave has a wide variety of aviary birds looking for new homes.

For information on what birds Dave has available or to arrange an appointment to view please contact him direct on: -

01634 408149

If you need to re-home any birds and want to know they will go to good homes, Dave can take them in and will vet the homes before he will let them go.

So if you need to re-home your birds please contact Dave direct on: -

01634 408149