Gerbil Chico posing next to a toilet roll tube

Clock ticking for lonely Chico

Downhearted Chico hopes it will soon be his time to find a new partner and a loving home.

The gerbil arrived at our Southampton rehoming centre in Hampshire more than two months ago after his cage mate died and he needed to be given up.

His owner was unable to dedicate enough time to the lonely gerbil or provide him with the right accommodation – he had been temporarily living in makeshift space inside a plastic bin.

Kim Simpson, Animal Welfare Assistant, said: “We’re glad Chico’s owner reached out to us for help. He lost his friend a few months ago unexpectedly and was suddenly a lone gerbil.

Chico the gerbil is lonely since losing his cage mate
Lonely Chico is in search of a new partner and loving home

“We found space in foster care for him straight away to give him as much human interaction as we could. Chico wasn’t being handled that much and when he arrived with us was very wary.

“But his fosterer has done a great job in building this handling up with him. Chico is a very energetic gerbil and is always on the go – a bit of a busy body!

While the 10-month-old continues to thrive in foster care, he’s still missing the company of that special someone – and has so far had no luck in finding a lady friend.

Kim continued: “Chico has been neutered and put up for rehoming, but we haven’t had much interest for him at all. We want to pair him up with a female, but sadly we are struggling to find him a home with a lovely lady.”

Could you give Chico the home he deserves?

 

— Page last updated 15/10/2021