The outside of the Ruff N' Stuff Small Animal
and Exotic Rescue resembles a pet product
graveyard.
Dog houses, bird cages and rabbit hutches
sit in dishevelled stacks near a fence in
various states of repair, while feeders, carrying
cages and kitty litter boxes are piled near
an old shed.
But the inside of the rescue is more akin
to a wildlife preserve, and that's the way
Colleen Christensen, founder of Ruff N' Stuff,
has set it up to be.
"Ruff N' Stuff Small Animal and Exotic
Rescue is an organization dedicated to finding
suitable, permanent homes for small animals
and exotics alike," explained Christensen.
"We believe that the animals that we
bring into our homes should be treated like
nothing less than one of the family members."
The reason why her property is in such a
mess is because her store, Ruff N' Stuff Pet
Products, has recently closed down, forcing
her to move all of her merchandise and her
animals to her two-level home in Surrey, far
less room than what she needs
As Christensen enters her living room, the
chatter from her Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
greets her.
It is Lucky, one of her more friendly success
stories.
"I just had a shower, and she walked
all the way from her cage to the bathroom
door," said Christensen, allowing the
bird to gain a perch on her shoulder and giving
it a kiss. "She tapped on the door so
that I would open it and let her in. She jumped
into the shower with me, and that is why her
feathers are wet."
Lucky is just one of more than 60 animals
in the foster care of Christensen and Ruff
N' Stuff waiting for adoptive homes. Along
with exotic birds and parrots, there are numerous
reptiles, ferrets and small animals, such
as rabbits, guinea pigs and other furry critters
looking for good homes.
"You read all the time about dogs and
cats in the news needing help, but these little
pets, these disposable pets need help too,"
said Christensen. "For every one successful
home, there are 100 homes that are not."
Since its creation in 2003, more than 200
animals have found new homes through Ruff
N' Stuff. However, when it comes to adopting
pets, Christensen is very strict about potential
adopters.
After a family or individual expresses interest
in an animal, Christensen makes them wait
24 hours so they can go home and think through
their decision.
As well, they are told to spend that time
researching the needs of the particular pet
they are interested in.
"As much as we do love these animals,
we really don't want them back once they are
adopted. We want a family to take them, through
the good and the bad."
One of Ruff N' Stuff's current residents
was found far removed from its natural habitat.
Two years ago, a motorist spotted a Savannah
Monitor walking down the Trans-Canada Highway
and picked it up. The reptile eventually found
its way to Ruff N' Stuff, and now rests comfortably
in the corner of the living room.
"What people don't realize is that having
these sorts of lizards is a lot of work,"
explained Christensen. "When people realize
that they can eat three mice a day, the novelty
wears off really quick."
Currently, Ruff N' Stuff is one of only two
rescues in the Lower Mainland, (the other
being the Rainforest Reptile Refuge in South
Surrey) that takes in reptiles. If the SPCA
does find one in its care, it contacts Christensen
to foster the pets.
What often happens is that families and parents
simply come in and ask that she take in their
former family pet.
"There are so many reasons why the owners
had to give them up, and I've heard them all:
a marital breakup, allergies, this pet is
'not what I expected,' but you know what,
those excuses aren't good enough."
How two little guinea pigs named Calvin and
Hobbes ended up at Ruff N' Stuff is particularly
sad.
"A woman went into her vet and asked
for help finding her guinea pigs a new home,"
said Christensen. "Eventually, the story
came to us, and we talked to her."
As it turned out, the woman had terminal
cancer, and wanted to ensure that her much-loved
friends would find permanent new homes before
she passed away. But it still hasn't happened.
"The woman definitely loved them, but
she had no choice. They had their own houses,
beds, even perfumed shampoos."
A few months later, the woman died. Calvin
and Hobbes are still homeless.
Inside the kitchen is Irv, a chameleon who
earns his keep by helping out with the rescue's
responsible pet ownership programs. The program
has Christensen going to local schools to
talk about what it takes to be a responsible
pet owner.
"What we find is that there is not enough
education out there for potential owners,"
said Christensen. "Pet stores are worried
about the money, not about education.
"I feel that no one should own a pet
without taking some sort of responsible pet
ownership program."
Ruff N' Stuff is currently working on a program
called the "Kids for Kritters Campaign,"
a non-profit program that will eventually
be offered in schools across B.C. to educate
children on pet care.
Christensen does have experience with teaching
children the joys of pets. After all, she
is the mother of five children.
"All of the kids help me with the rescue,"
said Christensen. "Matthew helps with
the birds, Alex takes care of lizards and
cats, Brandon does rabbits and Brianna does
guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils."
Kaylyn, 15, spends more time babysitting,
but still helps out around the rescue.
Christensen herself has been involved with
animals since she was a kid. She's worked
with the SPCA in the past, and now devotes
her time to the rescue.
There is only one bizarre twist to her story
that proves how much Christensen cares for
her animals: she's allergic to them.
"I am brutally allergic to them,"
she laughed. "I only found out three
years ago, and now I take antihistamines.
That's why I feel allergies are no excuse
to giving up a pet. Look at me."
For more information on pets for adoption,
go to www.petfinder.org/shelters/BC102.html.
For more information on Ruff N' Stuff, go
to www.ruffnstuffpetproducts.com or call 604-574-7955.
