Update, 6/10/09: All of the lil’ babies’ listings have been removed from Petfinder. Let’s hope mom and kiddos all found their happy tails – in pairs or trios, at that!

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I apologize for neglecting the Featured Adoptable column last week. I had a very bad reaction to some juniper trees over the weekend, and spent most of last week on heavy prescription steroids and antihistamines, so I was totally out of it.

To make up for my absence – and because I absolutely love browsing the listings on Petfinder – I’ll feature two animals (or, in this case, groups of animals) today. This is the first of two Featured Adoptable posts.

For some time now, I’ve wanted to include more “small and furry” animals available for adoption in the Kansas City area. Problem is, these so-called “pocket pets” are rather scarce on Petfinder. I think this is probably due more to shelter disinterest as opposed to actual availability (i.e., hamsters, gerbils, mice and the like are less commonly found in shelters than your standard cats and dogs, but this difference is magnified on online sites such as Petfinder because shelters are less likely to create listings for these “unusual” animals – why bother, when there’s not much of a need?). Point being, if you’d like to adopt a “small and furry” animal, but can’t locate an animal on Petfinder, don’t throw in the towel and hit up your local “pet store.” Call around to your local shelters and inquire about any animals who might not be listed online. Give them your name and number and be patient. Sooner or later, your dream furkid will find her way to a shelter. Sad but true.

One KC area shelter that almost always seems to have a lil’ critter available for adoption is the Lawrence Humane Society; previously, I featured two sets of rats from LHS, Cindy & Ella and Annie & Janie. Currently, the Lawrence Humane Society is playing host to eight – count ‘em, eight! – rat babies! The cuteness is enough to induce a diabetic coma, for reals.

Check it!

First we have Latte, the Big Mama of the brood:

Latte is a lovely little girl who came to the shelter from her previous home. She is VERY well socialized and would make a great companion animal in any home. She arrived to our shelter pregnant and is currently being fostered with her babies.

Latte is currently living with her daughters. We are hoping to find a home that will adopt Latte with one or more of her girls to ensure the highest quality of life possible for them.

There’s also some super-cute video footage on Mama Latte’s Petfinder listing. They’ve been a little bogged down today, but keep trying back – it’s so worth it!

And Little Late, who looks to be the spitting image of her mommy:

Little Latte is a shy girl who likes to explore in new places. She’s a beautiful champagne hooded girl who looks just liker her mother. Her eyes are just beginning to open, so she’s beginning to become VERY adventurous.

These babies are currently being fostered and will be able to go home in around May 24th. They are being hand-reared, socialized and litter trained before going home.

We would like to Little Latte to be adopted with one of her sisters to ensure the highest quality of life possible for her.

Duchess is another one of the lil’ girls, and my personal favorite (her pose seems perfect for one of those cheesy “Mondays: Just hangin’ in there!” pieces of wall art):

Duchess is a beautiful, sweet little girl. Her eyes are just beginning to open, so she’s beginning to become VERY adventurous.

These babies are currently being fostered and will be able to go home in around May 24th. They are being hand-reared, socialized and litter trained before going home.

We would like to Duchess to be adopted with one of her sisters to ensure the highest quality of life possible for her.

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