Joe Degu Degu Saint Paul, MN

Due to health and safety concerns, we are now pursuing adoptions with additional safety measures in place. We will be asking potential adopters to discuss their individual preferences and comfort levels involving safety precautions during the greeting/adoption day step. We are HIGHLY suggesting all participants wear facial coverings, stay at least six feet apart, & use sanitization of all surfaces, and hands before and after contact.

Estimated birth date: 7/1/2019

Personality: Very shy (you are unable to touch this animal without it running away or being fearful, etc), Inquisitive, Friendly toward humans, Energetic, Mouthy (puts mouth on you but does not bite down, usually thinking your fingers are food), Sweet, Sensitive to loud noises - even just opening the door to his room startles him and he hides. But once he sees his fosters, he comes out to say hi.

Favorite treats: Oxbow hay treats. He’ll even climb into his foster’s hand to get them, even though he doesn’t like being touched!

Favorite toys and activities: Running on his wheel 24/7! And chewing anything and everything!

Potty trained: We haven’t tried potty training with Joe.

This animal daily routine: Joe is sort of getting into a routine. He lives in the office of his foster who works from home during the week, so he gets treats and attention throughout the day. Dust baths and outside cage time happen at night when his foster can keep a closer eye on him. He’s so jumpy and fast that right now he isn’t able to free-roam yet.

BFF (Does this animal have or need a same species friend in their home?): Yes! Joe is bonded with his sons Anise & Alaska!

https://www.petfinder.com/small-furry/alaska-49003024/mn/saint-paul/mn-pocket-pet-rescue-mn392/

https://www.petfinder.com/small-furry/anise-49003003/mn/saint-paul/mn-pocket-pet-rescue-mn392/

Other species this pet has been exposed to and reaction: (All exposure has been while Joe is in his cage and the other animals were just outside the cage). Rat - first he squeaked, but then seemed curious or indifferent. Cat - sometimes cat sneaks into Joe’s room (to explore, not to bother Joe), but Joe seems indifferent. He’s more startled by the loud noises we make getting the cat out.

Health concerns: None except for we have found that he is missing a toe.

Behavioral concerns: Joe is in our trust training program for his shy behavior and resistance to being touched. Learn more about our trust training methods at https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/trust-training. We are working on teaching Joe that hands are part of humans and are friends. He’s no longer scared to approach us - he comes to the front of the cage whenever we’re there to say hi and sniff us. He now readily walks onto hands to get the treats, and will climb all over his foster during free time. Joe is still more comfy with humans than his children! He's happy to receive pets sometimes, but other times will get startled easily and hide. Still not able to pick him up easily, but we are starting to get close. They are working on putting hands out slowly so he can sniff. On occasion he does confuse when hands are put in without a treat and gives a little nibble. He is making progress on this though.

Joe made his way to MNPPR as a transfer from a hoarding case in South Dakota.

Due to our rescue being foster-based, not all foster homes are located in Saint Paul, MN. Joe’s foster parent prefers to meet at the Roseville PetSmart - 2480 Fairview Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113 for meet & greets, & adoptions.

Our adoption process can be found on our website here: https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/process

Fee: Joe, Anise & Alaska have a combined adoption fee of $35.

We absolutely DO NOT SHIP ANIMALS! Please do not ask.