Alittlebitiffy Animal Sanctuary

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Alittlebitiffy Animal Sanctuary

Alittlebitiffy Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit, ACNC registered guinea pig rescue dedicated to bringing big hope to little animals.

Alittlebitiffy Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit, non-funded, ACNC registered rescue and sanctuary dedicated to giving the smaller, sometimes forgotten pets a second chance. As a rescue, we rehabilitate and rehome animals that are surrendered to our care. As a sanctuary, we provide a forever home to permanently injured or terminally ill animals. Currently a small rescue, we're passionate about rais

ing awareness and educating communities about the sometimes neglected or overlooked "pocket pets" that are often cheap to purchase at pet stores nationwide.

26/07/2025

It's been a long, difficult and emotional 8 months. Between taking down enclosures, now full of ghosts, emptying the Pig Pod and closing its doors for the final time, seeing a grief counselor, putting away snuggle sacs and tunnels in boxes pushed to the back of our cupboards, bringing the piggies home in an inconceivably small urn, and having to live and breathe despite it all; we had zero intentions of bringing a new piggy home. The universe, apparently, had other plans.

Meet Queenie. Queenie quite literally fell into our lap (a story for another time). And while the universe decided we needed to care for this pig, I think it knew we weren't ready for any more because Queenie... let's just say she's not a pig's pig (apologies to all the piggies she's bitten to date). She's an older gal with generalised pain, a rickety pelvis that makes it hard for her to walk far, arthritic knees and elbows, and a fear that other piggies may hurt her which makes her react first, ask questions later.

To fill the void that other piggies would've filled (and to avoid going back into the Pig Pod just yet), Queenie lives on our kitchen bench where she can safely watch our birds, dogs, us humans and, most importantly, the fridge. Her favourite activities include wheeking along with the budgies, screaming at us for her veggie tax when we're making our meals, emotionally supporting our old, arthritic pigeon who is in a similar set up himself due to being bullied by the rest of our flock, and being confused as to why our fish get fed more cucumber that she does. Normal snuggle sacs are boring, Queenie would rather sit in the pouch of my Aldi pet hoodie and tag along for a ride as I go about my day. Our end goal is to find her a suitable piggy friend, but we'll do so at her pace. In the meantime, she's comfortable on her pain relief protocol and will continue to stare down our fridge, lest it ever be devoid of capsicum.

Queenie doesn't quite fill the space in my heart where 53 piggies used to be. But she brings joy to our lives in her own quiet way. Watch this space for updates as she continues to rule her kingdom (i.e our home) 🐹

16/11/2024

On November 7th, Gatton had a 40°C day. And while we were at work, the air conditioner in the Pig Pod failed. We lost 53 lives that day, and the guilt and grief of that is something I'll always carry with me. Would things have been different if I'd come home from work earlier? Or if the air conditioner failed on a 28°C day instead? If we had installed temperature monitors? Or a camera? Or a second air conditioner? These are things I'll never know, but one thing I do know with absolute certainty is that I have failed 53 little lives, and that they deserved so much better than to suffer so horrifically at my hands. The Sanctuary will remain permanently closed. If you require assistance with your guinea pigs in SE QLD, please contact any of the following rescues:

• QLD Guinea Pig Refuge
• Fox Residence Animal Sanctuary
• Brisbane Southside Guinea Pig Sanctuary
• Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue
• Miss Piggy's Guinea Pig Lair
• RSPCA
• Animal Welfare League

To those of you who trusted me with the care of your piggies, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

07/11/2024

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the sanctuary is now permanently closed.

11/09/2024

How do you transport your piggies to the vet? If you're not doing it with a matching sheepie teepee and tunnel, Salt says you're doing it wrong 🐑

10/09/2024

Remember Milky and Brownie, our two pregnant gals? Brownie has had her babies! They were born late last night, which coincidentally was the same day as Dr. Jess Anderson's birthday. Dr. Jess was involved with examining both Milky and Brownie when they first came into our care, so it just made sense to name the little pups Jess and Andy.

Weighing in at 73g and 75g respectively, both mumma and babies are eating well and resting comfortably. Now we're just waiting for Milky to safely give birth as well 🤞

05/09/2024

Charlie is doing great following his procedure, and is loving having several wives to dote on ❤️

23/08/2024

See how Lady uses her Gizmo and Co bed? Very ✨mindful✨. Very ✨demure✨. And see how Pebbles is choosing to lie beside her bed instead of in it? Not very mindful. Not demure.

18/08/2024

Meet Milky (right) and Brownie (left). These sweet little ladies came to us from a well meaning owner, who realised she was in over her head when she ended up with a male and female piggy who had babies. This wonderful person reached out to us for support and although we're at overcapacity for males, we were able to take on her only two females to stop the breeding cycle. Milky is Brownie's mum and has done a wonderful job raising her. Both Milky and Brownie are currently pregnant, so for the most part we're leaving them alone to settle, de-stress and nest. Milky has discovered a newfound love for tunnels and Brownie is a donut bed kinda gal. Watch this space for updates of what we're hoping is a safe and uncomplicated birth for them both 🤞🐹

17/08/2024

When you walk into the Pig Pod without carrots and get this bombastic side eye 👀

17/06/2024

Charlie learned the hard way that "take your piggy to work day" means something entirely different when your mum is a vet tech 😂

Our little Hairy Maclary has had some skin issues that he's been treated for, and luckily for him this is hopefully the last vet visit he and his emotional support hay ball need to go through. Until he gets desexed, that is 😜

16/06/2024

Stormie wishes everyone a good night. Everyone except those of you who don't believe in second dinner, she hopes you sleep terribly.

08/06/2024

On this brisk, windy morning, we sadly said goodbye to Violet. Violet came to us along with several other piggies in 2021, from a "free range" backyard breeding environment that had gotten out of hand. She was skin and bones, had mites and arthritis, and had microphthalmos of one of her eyes. We assumed she was born in that environment and had birthed many pups herself. We estimated that she was at least 5 years old when she came into our care. Unlike the other piggies that came to us with her, who took their time learning what veggies and soft, fleecy beds were, Violet took one look at her first ever snuggle sac and decided that this was the life for her. She spent her days being a bed connoisseur, choosing to nap in a different location every time, and would often be found sharing her beds and food bowls with piggies less brave than her.

Violet became well known as one of our teaching piggies. She taught veterinary and veterinary technology students at the University of Queensland how to hold, examine and care for guinea pigs. She outlived all her old friends, losing Newton (top left), then Lamington (top right), then Bert (bottom left), until she was the last of our teaching piggies. It was at this point we felt she earned a well-deserved retirement from teaching, and she spent her remaining months surrounded by tasty food and all the beds she desired. She gave so much of her love to humans and other piggies alike, and she leaves behind deaf and blind Brie who doesn't understand where her best friend has gone.

Rest in peace, Violet. I'm glad you slipped away peacefully in your favourite snuggle sac, surrounded by your piggy friends. You deserve the world ❤️💔

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http://www.alittlebitiffyanimalsanctuary.com/

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Our Story

Alittlebitiffy Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit, non-funded, ACNC registered rescue and sanctuary located in Gatton, QLD, dedicated to giving the smaller, sometimes forgotten pets a second chance. As a rescue, we rehabilitate and rehome animals that are surrendered to our care. As a sanctuary, we provide a forever home to permanently injured or terminally ill animals. Currently a small rescue, we're passionate about raising awareness and educating communities about the sometimes neglected or overlooked "pocket pets" that are often cheap to purchase at pet stores nationwide.

Our objectives:

To provide sanctuary and aid to any injured, malnourished, abused, neglected, abandoned or ill animals.

To raise awareness and abolish the stereotypes that word-of-mouth and incorrect pet store advice has created.