A beaver that lounges on the couch, a bunny that prefers the floor, and a tiny rodent with a big personality—these might sound like quirky house pets, but at The Pipsqueakery, they’re part of a much bigger mission.
Located in Bloomington, Indiana, The Pipsqueakery is a nonprofit rescue dedicated to helping small animals with medical and behavioral needs. Founded in 2013, the organization has already saved over 12,000 animals, from hamsters and guinea pigs to rabbits and beavers. And yes, they even take in the occasional degu—a social rodent native to Chile!
Executive director Alex Hernly explains their open-door policy: “Basically, if it isn’t a predator, we’ll take it.” That means any critter in need—whether it’s a rescue from an overcrowded shelter, a wild animal in need of rehabilitation, or a pet surrendered due to medical challenges—can find safety at The Pipsqueakery.
The sanctuary doesn’t just provide food and shelter; they also work with veterinarians to treat some of the most complex medical cases. With nearly 700 animals in their care at any given time, it’s a never-ending mission of compassion and hard work.
🦫 Some, like Agnes the “couch beaver”, stay at the sanctuary permanently.
🐰 Others, like Nyxie the “floor bunny”, are rehabilitated and rehomed through their network of 30+ rescue partners.
🐭 And for those that can’t be reintroduced into the wild, The Pipsqueakery remains their forever home.
Running a sanctuary for so many tiny creatures isn’t cheap—it costs $20,000 a month to provide food, medical care, and shelter. If you’d like to help support this incredible work, you can donate or volunteer here.
And for a fun twist, The Pipsqueakery even runs a “Dear Aggie” advice column, where you can submit questions for Agnes the beaver to “answer”! 🦫💌
Tiny animals, big impact—this sanctuary is proof that every little life matters. 💛
