Little Big Hearts Rescue

01/10/2026

This is a recruitment call! We need your help 🐭

The baby season has come early, and there just isn't enough of us. If you can help us in any way regarding handraising, please pop us a message as we are desperate for more hands in and around Cape Town. 🙏

We are extremely concerned at how early the season has arrived and we suspect it is due to weather pattern changes.

Some photos of just some our intakes from this week.

A gentle reminder: please never remove pinkies/neonates from a nest where a mother is feeding them. The pinkies do not generally do well in foster care as rat milk is very different to humans. We know people are trying to help- but it is doing more harm. Rather watch the nest until babies are a bit older and safer to remove or try catch mom with her babies. Remember they live all around us, and have an important role in the ecosystem.

Please pop us a message if you can join our team 🙏 💜

30/09/2026

We need your help! 🐭🐀

The baby season has come early, and there just isn't enough of us. If you can help us in any way regarding handraising, please pop us a message as we are desperate for more hands in and around Cape Town. 🙏

We are extremely concerned how early the season has arrived and we suspect it is due to weather pattern changes.

A picture of one of our smallest ones yet. And just to add- please never remove pinkies/neonates from a nest where a mother is feeding them. The pinkies do not generally do well in foster care as rat milk is very different to humans. We know people are trying to help- but it is doing more harm. Rather watch the nest until babies are a bit older and safer to remove or try catch mom with her babies. Remember they live all around us, and have an important role in the ecosystem.

Please pop us a message if you can join our team 🙏

14/08/2026

Just a small baby giving themselves a clean. We may be biased, but we think they cleaner than most humans we meet! 🥰

18/06/2026

Today we said goodbye to a rat who suffered an unimaginably cruel death because of rodent poison in the city. 💔

Many people don't realize that rats are intelligent, social, sentient animals capable of feeling pain, fear, stress, and suffering. Rodent poisons rarely cause an instant death. Instead, they often lead to days of agony as the animal slowly dies from internal bleeding, organ failure, dehydration, seizures, or neurological damage.

This beautiful Norway Rat was in a heartbreaking condition. Luckily a kind soul found him and spent her time making him as comfortable as possible before sending him off to Exotic Vet Century City. Despite their best efforts, the kindest option was euthanasia to end this baby's suffering.

We understand that people may not want rats in their homes, but there are more humane alternatives available. No living creature deserves to endure prolonged suffering simply for trying to survive.

It's also worth remembering that pet rats and wild rats are not the disease-spreading threat they are often portrayed to be. The risk of disease transmission from a healthy rat colony to humans is generally very low, especially when compared with common household pets (and especially strays) and the everyday risks people encounter. It it worth properly educating oneself before punishing another ignorantly.

Please take a moment to consider the suffering caused by rodent poisons and choose humane solutions whenever possible. Compassion should extend to all animals, even the ones society often overlooks.

We also would like to thank those who donated today to help us arrange care and transport for this rat. 💜

- Kaelin

18/05/2026

We need your help! We are looking for people to join our team in whatever capacity they can, predominantly assisting with handraising of rats and mice. Both Northern and Southern suburbs of Cape Town, and nearby surrounds.

Please pop us a message on messenger if you are keen to join the team 😀 🥰

10/05/2026

Stormy weather coming our way. Keep safe everyone 🐿️♥️🐿️

07/05/2026

07/05/2026

We've seen some concern online about Hantavirus following the recent news of international travelers who became ill. We know how much worry can swirl around our rodent companions so we want to share some clear, heartening facts so that you can feel at ease and continue treating rodents with the kindness they deserve as sentient beings. 🐁🌿

We are concerned for how the public may act out towards our local rodent populations. Please share this information with others. 💚🙏

19/04/2026

So how do we do it? We are all working full time. The truth is we just have to make it work! Whether its a baby in a bra to keep warm while we work, a sneaky trip in the handbag or squeezing in a feed in the car. When theres a will, there's a way! 🫡