How to adopt a small
pet
Could you give a small rescue pet a safe, happy home? This guide explains how our adoption process works for guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, rats and other small pets, what to expect before you apply, and how we match pets with the right environment.
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Small pet adoption process
Find a small rescue pet near you
Start by using our Find a Pet search to browse small pets available near you. Whether you’re hoping to rescue a guinea pig or rehome a hamster, you can filter by location and species to find a good fit.
Each profile explains the animal’s personality, needs and ideal home. Taking time to read each one carefully will help you decide who would best suit your lifestyle.
Apply to rehome a small pet
Once you decide whether you’d like to adopt a guinea pig, hamster, rat or any other small pet from us, you just need to fill in our online application form. You don’t need an RSPCA account to apply, but having one makes it easier for you to add animals to your favourites and track your application.
This helps our teams understand your home environment, experience and what you’re looking for in a companion. If the small pet you applied for isn’t the right match, we’ll help you explore others who may suit you better.
Meet and get to know each other
If your application is a suitable match, our team will invite you to meet the small pet.
Meetings take place at the animal centre and give you a chance to understand your potential companion’s personality and care requirements. Some small pets only need one meeting, while others benefit from several visits. This can be especially helpful when children or other pets will be part of the household.
Spending time together can help you both get to know each other and see if you fit. It helps everyone feel more comfortable and confident before any final decision is made.
Prepare your home
Before bringing your new pet home, it’s important to prepare a safe and suitable environment. Our teams can advise on housing, bedding, enrichment, diet and daily care. This is especially important for small pets – for example, rehoming a hamster can look quite different to rehoming a guinea pig or rabbit, from enclosure size and companionship needs to space for exercise.
A well-prepared setup helps your pet feel safe and settled from day one.
If you’re collecting your new small pet, you'll need an appropriate carrier with suitable bedding to transport them home.
Complete the adoption
Once everything is agreed, we’ll guide you, if you’re the lead adopter, through the final paperwork and adoption fee.
Your new pet will be health checked and prepared for rehoming according to their individual needs. Where appropriate, this may include treatment or preventative care.
You’ll receive advice on feeding, housing and settling in, along with any relevant health information and ongoing support if you need it.
Find a pet
Meet our small pets
What pet is right for me?
Answer a few questions and discover which rescue pet may suit you best based on your lifestyle, home and family.
We’ll provide you with a recommendation on the pets who might be right for you along with advice and any changes that could make you a better match.
Before you apply
What we need from you
Small pets need time, space and the right care. We’ll consider your home environment, routine and any children or pets in your household.
Different species have different needs. Guinea pigs, rats and many other small pets need companionship, while hamsters usually live alone. Lifespans vary too, from around two years for some hamsters to five years or more for guinea pigs, ferrets and chinchillas.
Before you apply to adopt a small pet, we ask that you:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Have permission from your landlord if you rent
- Can provide a safe and suitable home environment
- Can meet the pet’s needs for housing, enrichment and daily care
- Understand the time and cost involved in caring for the species you choose
- Are prepared to adopt a pair or group where needed
If the animal you apply for isn’t the right match, we’ll help you explore others who may suit your home better.
Small pet adoption fees
If you’re wondering how much it is to adopt a guinea pig, hamster, ferret or other small pet from the RSPCA, adoption fees vary by centre and by species. The fee helps cover the cost of preparing each small pet for rehoming and supporting their care while they’re with us.
Adoption fees also help support our rescue work and allow us to help more animals in need.
Your fee contributes towards:
Health checks
Veterinary treatment where needed
Neutering where appropriate
Daily care while the animal is with us
Preparation for rehoming
Frequently asked questions
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Small animals are sometimes seen as ‘starter pets’, but they still need careful, informed care. Some may suit families better than others. Children should always be supervised, and an adult must take responsibility for the pet’s daily care.
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You should choose a vet who’s confident treating the species you adopt. Small mammals can have very specific health needs, so it’s worth checking that your local practice has suitable experience before you bring your pet home.
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Sometimes. Many species, including guinea pigs and rats, are social and are often happiest living with companions. Others, such as most hamsters, usually live alone. Our teams will explain what’s best for the individual animal.
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Possibly. We’ll consider the needs and safety of all the animals in your household when reviewing your application. Some small pets may need a particularly calm environment or housing well away from other pets.
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Yes. Housing, diet, enrichment and companionship needs vary a lot between species. We’ll explain what your chosen pet needs before adoption, so you can prepare the right setup.
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Centres may provide food if your animal needs a special diet (such as hypoallergenic). Generally, the centre will let you know what food they’ve been eating, so you have time to get the right food.
If your animal is on ongoing medication, the centre will provide an appropriate supply to allow adopters time to register with a vet and arrange prescriptions or treatment. Your animal should be up to date on preventative parasite treatments, so these will not usually be given.
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There’s no set time frame for an animal to settle into their new home. Every animal is an individual, and some may feel comfortable quickly, while others need more time and patience.
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There’s no single set of behaviours that is ‘normal’ during an animal’s first week in a new home. Every animal will respond differently, so it's important to give them time to settle and not expect too much from them initially.
