Sloppy Seconds, Inc.

06/07/2026

Out with the old, and in with the new! It was high time to take out all of Nala the squirrel’s nut shells and old substrate & put in fresh cedar mulch and dirt. She also got new branches and hammocks. 😁

05/31/2026

🎉 We have some exciting news to share! 🎉

Sloppy Seconds has officially welcomed our very first female guinea pig! The Hayward Animal Shelter reached out to us about this little lady after she had spent lonely months there with no adoption interest after being brought in as a stray. We couldn’t resist giving her a home.

Meet Winnie — short for Winnie Pooper (a play on Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years).

For years, we’ve had two bachelor boys, Buscemi and Orlando, so we’re hopeful that Winnie may eventually be able to have a guinea pig companion. To make that possible, we’ll need to either spay Winnie or neuter one of the boys. Initially, we considered neutering Buscemi or Orlando since the procedure is generally simpler and less expensive for males. However, because Winnie appears to be much younger, we’re also considering spaying her instead. That would give us more flexibility in the future, whether she ends up bonding with Buscemi, Orlando, or even another male guinea pig who may find their way to the sanctuary someday.

For now, while Winnie settles in and we continue to weigh our options, she’s enjoying some supervised “sniff and see” time with Buscemi. Don’t worry—the enclosure divider has been reinforced with a state-of-the-art wiener guard, so no unauthorized guinea pig romance can occur. 😆

Please join us in welcoming Winnie to the sanctuary! She’s incredibly sweet, immediately redecorated her entire enclosure to suit her tastes, and has proven herself to be a champion eater. She’s also a big fan of exploring outside her enclosure and seems quite pleased with her new accommodations.

05/31/2026

Nala dives in to her plentiful feast. 🤤

05/26/2026

Bella and Brewster in their little straw nest. 🤗🩷

05/21/2026

**Placement found!!

Valley Springs, CA - Roo needs a new home!

From current owner:
This has been a very difficult decision for our family, but due to major life and health changes, I’m realizing I may no longer be able to provide the level of time, consistency, and long-term stability Roo deserves.

Roo is a female mini pig who is approximately 8 months old, weighs around 35 pounds, and is spayed. She has been raised indoors with our family, is crate trained, and uses a dog door to go potty outside. She is very loved, and my priority is making sure she ends up in a knowledgeable, safe, and permanent home with people who understand pigs and their needs.

Please contact Pig Luv Co if you would like to adopt little Roo! **Note: Mini pigs do not stop growing until they’re between 3-5 years old. Roo WILL get larger.

05/20/2026

Twenty yards of dirt were added to the pig yard today! The piggies are going to love it!

05/20/2026

Beautiful Bentley enjoying the 86 degree weather. 🌞

05/19/2026

This will surely be a great presentation!

Join us for an educational and fun filled introduction to the fascinating world of reptiles featuring nearly twenty animals from huge boas to tiny insects! Presented by Owen Maercks, who has forty years' experience working with reptiles.

The show is appropriate for ages four through adult! Animals will be available for petting.

📅 Date: May 23, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA (enter on Nevin Avenue)
📞 For more info, call 510-620-6557

05/17/2026

Adopt, don’t shop!

Please consider adopting from local rescue groups and rescues within driving distance. It’s not “only cats and dogs” ending up in shelters.

Here in the Valley, there are large numbers of rabbits, guinea pigs, small bird species, reptiles, and other small pets being surrendered by families or dropped off at animal control as “found” animals. It may not be in the tens of thousands like cats and dogs, but it is still hundreds to thousands of animals needing help.

You CAN adopt many of the same small animal species constantly sold at chain pet stores. You CAN adopt the same kinds of animals people rush to claim with “I’ll take it!” or “I want it!” comments in lost-and-found groups. If you want one of these animals, apply through a rescue group so rescues can continue helping the public with lost and found animals, pulling animals from shelters to avoid euthanasia, and assisting families who genuinely need support.

Notice how our area lacks nonprofit small animal rescue groups? Communities have to value these resources to keep them alive. Support them through adoption, volunteering, donations, networking, and advocacy. A lack of community support is exactly why so many rescue resources eventually disappear, leaving entire areas struggling to find help.

What is stopping you from applying to adopt when looking for a pet?

Most organizations will vet adoptive homes to ensure basic care standards will be met. Are you open to learning in order to provide that? Adoption fees help cover medical treatments, food, housing, transportation, and boarding costs. It’s never free. Animals require labor; they cost time and money whether they are with us or with you.

We are constantly asked whether animals come with cages, supplies, food, and full setups “for free.” The reality is rescues cannot give away the animal, its supplies, and absorb all medical costs at the same time. We NEED those supplies for the next animal. Rescue work is expensive, and most groups are volunteer-run, which means unpaid.

This list was made through volunteer effort. You may need to do some legwork using the “@” handles to find exact locations, species accepted, contact information, and websites. Please do your part before reaching out to rescues.

And if you know of grants, sponsorships, funding opportunities, or businesses willing to help, please reach out to rescue organizations directly. Many of them desperately need community support.
I know our grant funding we rely on has not come through this year, and it very well may not. Where we will find $20,000+, I honestly don’t know.

So please, adopt.

California Small Pet Rescue Groups
This is a reference list, not a complete list. It is loosely organized by region/location and is intended only to help direct you. Some Instagram handles may represent foster networks, sanctuaries, or advocacy pages rather than registered rescues. A few organizations may overlap geographically or collaborate. Some locations were inferred from names or commonly known service areas and may need verification.
This list was made through volunteer effort. You may need to do some legwork using the “@” handles to find exact locations, species accepted, contact information, and websites. Please do your part before reaching out to rescues.
Loosely Organized by Region / Location
Close to Home
Central CA: Modesto
Cali_FID Parrot and Exotic Rescue Sanctuary ()
Little Hearts Rescue Group ()

Bay Area / Northern CA

Gardner's Pig Pen Rescue
CA Chins Chinchilla Rescue ()
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
Rattie Ratz Rescue
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue
Radical Rodent Rescue


(Henderson, NV — close enough to Northern CA)

SPCA Monterey County

Southern California








cottage











Species-Based Quick Reference
Rabbits
Little Hearts Rescue Group







Guinea Pigs
Gardner's Pig Pen Rescue
Little Hearts Rescue Group



Radical Rodent Rescue

Rats / Rodents
Rattie Ratz Rescue
Radical Rodent Rescue




Hamsters
Little Hearts Rescue Group
Radical Rodent Rescue



Chinchillas
CA Chins Chinchilla Rescue
Radical Rodent Rescue
Birds / Exotic Pets
Cali_FID Parrot and Exotic Rescue Sanctuary
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
SPCA Monterey County