Their story
Every animal at Get To Know Animals is a rescue. Donna and Rob, the founders, give animals a second chance — there are no breeding programmes here.
Behind every smile is a story. Animals like Gambian Pouch Rats often arrive because a home changed, a rescue needed space, or someone realised wild beauty deserves expert care. We promise warmth, the right food, enrichment and keepers who know each personality. When a child presses their nose to the glass and whispers ‘hello’, that second chance becomes a lifelong memory — for them and for Gambian Pouch Rats.
The Gambian pouched rat, also commonly known as the African giant pouched rat, is a wonderful kind of nocturnal pouched rat of the giant pouched rat genus Cricetomys, in the family Nesomyidae. It is among the largest muroids in the world, growing to about 0.9 m (3 ft) long, including the tail, which makes up half of its total length. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal to Kenya and from Angola to Mozambique from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Adults often remember: Species of rodent. At Get To Know Animals we turn those wild facts into daily care — the right heat, humidity, UV where needed, climbing or digging space, and food that matches what Gambian Pouch Ratss evolved to eat.
It costs over £35,000 every month to feed, heat and care for 300+ animals. Fresh veg, quality pellets, mountains of bedding, enrichment and emergency vet funds mean even ‘small’ mammals cost hundreds of pounds a year each. Adopting Gambian Pouch Rats, sponsoring a meal, funding the wish list or joining Patreon isn’t ‘extra’ — it’s how Gambian Pouch Rats eats next Tuesday when the weather is quiet and the till is slow.
You can help today: adopt Gambian Pouch Rats, buy a treat, play Get To Feed Animals, or become a monthly patron. Every pound is love you can measure in full bowls, warm lamps and wagging (or flicking) tails.