The ‘Life with Smalls’ study

Understanding small furry pet ownership is important for being able to help owners and to improve animal welfare.

Our study has two parts:

Study 1 - Interviews with small furry owners across the country. We are interested in owners of pet rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, and gerbils. 

Study 2 - A study of adopters of small furry pets from participating shelters (currently Woodgreen). This is called the “Rescue Me” adoption follow up study.

FAQs

Can I take part?

Our interviews are open to anyone over 18, living in the UK and own one of the following: rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, or gerbils.

Our surveys are only for people adopting from one of our partner shelters. Please contact the shelter you’re adopting from if you’d like to take part.

What is involved?

Our interview study will involve one interview about your pets and your wellbeing. See our interview participant information sheet for more information.

Our survey study will follow adopters for 6 months after adoption. You will fill out 4 short surveys over 6 months about your pets and your wellbeing and will receive a ‘thank you’ voucher. See our survey participant information sheet for more information.

Where can I learn more?

We will be providing any large updates, including study results, on this page when they happen. We will also share updates on the Wag-Lab Facebook page Wag-Lab Westgarth Anthrozoology Group Research | Facebook

If you have any specific questions or concerns about either study, feel free to contact us at lifewithsmalls@liverpool.ac.uk