Confronting the Long-Ignored Welfare of Small Animals
Many small animals—such as hamsters, rabbits, turtles, and birds—are often treated as "starter pets" or temporary companions. This view leads to countless cases of neglect and abandonment. It's time to face this long-ignored issue: small animals deserve the same compassion, care, and respect as larger pets.
Stop Irresponsible Pet Ownership
Keeping a small animal may look easy, but it comes with real responsibilities. Every pet requires proper nutrition, living space, medical care, and emotional attention. Before bringing one home, learn about its lifespan, behavior, and needs. Irresponsible raising not only harms the animal but also affects the community and environment.
Breaking the Myths of Pet Keeping
Many people believe small pets are cheap, easy to care for, or perfect for children. The truth is, each species has complex needs. Hamsters need space to explore, rabbits need companionship and exercise, and turtles may live for decades. When we break these myths, we can make more informed, compassionate choices as pet owners.
Respect begins with awareness. Let's not buy on impulse or treat lives as decorations. By learning, adopting responsibly, and speaking out for animal welfare, we can give these small companions the love and dignity they deserve.
Advocating Responsible Care for Small Mammal Pets in Taiwan
Rabbits, rodents, and hedgehogs are three of the most common non-canine and non-feline mammal pets in Taiwan. Although these small animals are easy to obtain, the public often lacks proper knowledge about their care, leading to many cases of improper and even tragic treatment.
For many years, the Council of Agriculture has not implemented regulations concerning the breeding or sale of these small animals. As a result, they can now be found for sale even in bookstores and stationery shops, creating widespread disorder in the pet industry and poor standards of animal welfare.
On September 14, 2022, the Taiwan Rabbit Loving Association, Taiwan Rodent Association, and Taiwan Hedgehog Care Promotion Association jointly held a press conference with legislators Tsai Pi-ru and Hung Meng-kai. During the event, they unveiled the "Friendly Small Animal Care Guide" — a community-drafted set of guidelines for both general pet owners and industry members.
The guide aims to dispel the "Top Ten Myths" about raising small animals and calls on the government to confront the growing issues of neglect and abandonment among non-dog-and-cat pets, promoting better management and protection for these animals.
Taiwan Rat Welfare Group Warns of Growing Neglect Cases
Taipei, Taiwan — The Taiwan Rat Lovers Association has raised concern over a steady rise in reports of rodent neglect and improper keeping practices. According to the organization, in the past five years alone, it has received as many as 1,401 reports from the public regarding cases of mistreated or improperly cared-for rats. During this period, the group rescued a total of 4,562 animals.
The association emphasized that these figures have been increasing each year, reflecting a growing problem in pet care awareness. They urged current and prospective pet owners to educate themselves about proper rodent husbandry and to adopt responsibly.
Taiwan Hedgehog Welfare Group Reports Rising Abandonment Cases
The Taiwan Hedgehog Care Promotion Association has reported that it receives at least three monthly complaints related to improper care by hedgehog breeders or pet sellers. Between 2019 and 2020, the association handled more than 500 cases involving abandoned hedgehogs, either left behind by breeders or given up by private owners.
Based on its data, the association estimates that an average of two out of every hundred hedgehog owners eventually abandon their pets. The group warns that the trend reflects growing challenges in responsible exotic pet ownership and calls for greater awareness of proper hedgehog care and long-term commitment before adoption.
Taiwan Rabbit Association Warns of a Surge in Abandoned Rabbits
Since its founding in 2009, the Taiwan Rabbit Association has rescued an average of more than 260 rabbits each year. However, the organization is deeply concerned that the upcoming Year of the Rabbit could lead to a sharp increase in rabbits being impulsively bought and later abandoned or improperly cared for.
The association calls on government authorities to take early precautions and implement education campaigns to prevent another wave of suffering for these innocent animals. They emphasize that raising rabbits requires long-term care, commitment, and understanding of their unique needs — not just the enthusiasm of a seasonal trend.
Top 10 Myths About Keeping Rodents, Rabbits, and Hedgehogs as Pets
Based on numerous reports of improper care and abuse received over the years, the animal protection group has compiled the "Top Ten Myths" about keeping rodents, rabbits, and hedgehogs as pets to help debunk common misconceptions. At the same time, it emphasizes that caring for small animals is not easy—never adopt or buy them on impulse.
1. Thinking About Keeping a Male and Female Pet Together? Think Again!
Many people mistakenly believe that having one male and one female pet is "just right," or that keeping multiple small animals is easy. Wrong! Pet stores often give misleading advice, which makes people impulsively adopt more than one animal without proper understanding of their needs.
Rodents, rabbits, and hedgehogs are all territorial animals with very strong reproductive abilities. Over the years, animal welfare organizations have handled countless cases of uncontrolled breeding. Housing a male and a female together may result in hundreds of offspring within only a few months.
Keeping different species or sexes together can easily lead to serious problems such as fighting that causes severe injuries or death, and inbreeding that results in deformities or other health issues.
Although rabbits and rodents are social animals in the wild (note: rabbits do not live in high-density colonies like bees or ants; they form small, territorial communities), owners must still provide plenty of daily interaction to meet their social needs. For those who wish to keep more than one, it is essential to follow strict introduction protocols, ensure sufficient living space, and never force animals that fight to live together.
As for hedgehogs and hamsters, they are naturally solitary creatures and should never be housed in groups.
2. Can Guinea Pigs Be Raised Like Hamsters?
Some people assume that guinea pigs, also known as cavies, can be cared for in the same way as hamsters.
Wrong! Guinea pigs are herbivores, while hamsters are omnivores, meaning their dietary needs are completely different. Guinea pigs should never be fed hamster food, as it can harm their health.
Additionally, owners should not provide guinea pigs with exercise wheels. Unlike hamsters, guinea pigs need a large flat area for daily activity and exercise rather than vertical or circular movement.
When keeping guinea pigs, it's important to provide them with specially formulated guinea pig pellets, fresh hay, and clean drinking water. Their diet also requires extra vitamin C supplementation, since guinea pigs cannot produce it on their own. Without sufficient vitamin C, they may suffer from poor growth, weakened immunity, sepsis, or even death.
3. Are Hamsters Good Pets for Children?
Small and cute hamsters may seem perfect companions for kids—but that's not always true! Rodents are easily frightened and may bite when they feel scared, and children are no exception when it comes to being bitten.
Moreover, hamsters are nocturnal animals. When children want to play during the day, these little creatures are often hiding and resting, which can lead to disappointment.
Because of their tiny size, rodents require very careful and attentive care. Adults should do thorough research and seriously consider whether their household is suitable for raising such pets.
Note: Always remember—being small doesn't mean being easy to take care of!
4. Do Hamsters Need Temperature Control?
Many people assume that since rodents naturally live in the wild, they don't require temperature regulation. Wrong! In the case of dwarf hamsters, their natural habitat is underground, where the temperature is stable and much cooler than the surface.
That means hamsters are highly sensitive to heat and can easily suffer in warmer climates like Taiwan's. Owners should therefore take proper measures to keep their pets cool, such as providing ventilation, ensuring shade, and avoiding direct sunlight.
5. Why You Shouldn't Keep Guinea Pigs and Rabbits Together
Many people assume that guinea pigs and rabbits can be housed together because both are herbivores that eat grass and vegetables. However, that's a mistake.
Aside from having different dietary needs, guinea pigs may also be injured or attacked by rabbits when kept in the same enclosure. Rabbits are larger, stronger, and may accidentally step on or bite guinea pigs, leading to stress or physical harm.
Moreover, some bacteria that commonly live in cats, dogs, or rabbits—such as Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella—can be deadly to guinea pigs. Because of this, it is strongly advised not to house guinea pigs with other species.
For the health and safety of all your pets, always provide separate housing tailored to each species' specific needs.
6. Common Misconceptions About Feeding Rabbits
"Rabbits only eat carrots and don't need water?" Wrong! Due to the influence of cartoons, many people mistakenly believe that rabbits and guinea pigs feed mainly on vegetables and fruits. In reality, their primary food source should be hay.
When rabbits are fed mostly vegetables and fruits instead of hay, it can lead to serious dental and digestive problems—and in severe cases, even death. Carrots should only be given occasionally and in small amounts, as overeating them can harm a rabbit's health.
Besides providing hay at all times, rabbits need fresh water just like any other animal. Owners should ensure that clean drinking water is available 24 hours a day to keep their rabbits healthy and happy.
7. Are Rabbits Smelly? Think Again!
Many people hold the traditional belief that rabbits have a naturally unpleasant odor. In fact, this smell is usually caused by improper feeding, which leads to smelly waste, or by poor hygiene and lack of environmental maintenance by the owner.
Rabbits are actually very clean animals. When provided with a tidy and well-maintained living space, they can even give off a subtle grassy scent. The idea that they are smelly is largely a misconception rooted in inadequate care.
Keeping rabbits outdoors is not advisable. Outdoor environments expose them to weather extremes that can cause heatstroke or hypothermia. In addition, there is a risk of attacks from stray animals or disturbances from people.
To ensure a healthy, happy rabbit, it's best to provide a clean, safe, and indoor living environment where their needs can be properly met.
8. Proper Housing for Hedgehogs
Many people think that keeping a hedgehog in a commercial rabbit cage or a small wire cage is fine. Wrong!
If a hedgehog is kept in a cage made of bars or wire mesh, its ankles can easily get caught, leading to dislocation or even broken bones. A hedgehog enclosure with railings may also encourage climbing behavior, but since hedgehogs have weak grip strength, they can fall from heights and seriously injure their spine or limbs.
To ensure safety, both the floor and the walls of the habitat must be solid and smooth—without bars, gaps, or spaces that could trap or harm your hedgehog.
9. Do Hedgehogs Need Exercise Wheels?
Some people think, "Hedgehogs in the wild don't have exercise wheels, so pet hedgehogs don't need them either." Wrong! In their natural habitat, hedgehogs are ground-dwelling animals that travel long distances each night—often between 2 to 4 kilometers—while roaming and foraging.
Therefore, when kept in captivity, it's important to provide as much space as possible along with environmental enrichment tools, such as an exercise wheel, to satisfy their natural behaviors and maintain both physical and mental health. The only exception is when a hedgehog is ill or elderly and unable to exercise.
If confined in a small, monotonous enclosure, hedgehogs may develop abnormal repetitive behaviors, such as pacing back and forth. Providing enrichment items like wheels, tunnels, and toys can effectively reduce anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
10. What Should Hedgehogs Eat?
Many people think that because hedgehogs belong to the order Insectivora, feeding them only insects is enough. However, that's a common misconception. In the wild, hedgehogs don't just eat insects—they also consume bird eggs and small vertebrates such as baby mice, young birds, and frogs.
Wild hedgehogs in other countries have access to dozens of different insect species each day. Pet store feeder insects, in contrast, usually come in only a few types. If a pet hedgehog eats these limited options for a long time, it can suffer from malnutrition, oral injuries, osteoporosis, and digestive problems.
In a home environment, owners should provide their pet hedgehogs with a balanced and safe diet. It's recommended to refer to specialized hedgehog feeding guides and to supplement their meals with dog or cat wet food, or finely ground dry kibble, to ensure they receive complete nutrition.
Protecting Non-Dog and Cat Pets in Taiwan
At present, the breeding, sale, and registration of pets other than dogs and cats remain completely unregulated in Taiwan. The central competent authority does not have accurate data on the total number of these animals currently being kept across the country. As a result, these small animals have effectively become a "blind spot" in Taiwan's animal protection system.
In response, animal welfare organizations have compiled a civil edition of pet care guidelines to serve as a reference for both pet owners and relevant government agencies. They jointly urge the Council of Agriculture to prevent further suffering of small animals by promptly establishing clear regulations for the breeding, trade, and care of non-dog and cat pets.
The proposed measures include educating pet traders, exhibition venues, and the general public about proper animal welfare standards, as well as strengthening enforcement to ensure compliance. Through timely action and education, Taiwan can create a more comprehensive and humane system for protecting all companion animals.
