Abandoned gerbils

[lizb]

So, a few weeks ago, I got my first gerbils, a trio of brothers. In that time I've done an obscene amount of research (as you can probably tell from what I've posted so far here) and my friends know because I won't shut up about it. Anyway, friend of an acquaintance asked me to watch his gerbils while he went on vacation. He paid me and left two girls in their ten gallon tank with food and bedding.
I should have been suspicious. But I wasn't, until a week after his "vacation" ended. Turns out, he told the acquaintance he was giving me the gerbils because he was moving out of state. 

The girls are young, healthy... and absolutely terrified of me. (I hope this goes without saying, but I have never raised my voice to them and have given them the same care as I do my boys. Well, mostly they won't take pumpkin seeds from me.)

Even if somehow I could give them back to him, I don't think he'd be good to them. 
Sorry for the ramble. Just trying to make it work.

[Keeper]

My girls are 7 months old now and it has only been the last month that they have really started to trust me. I know that if you take the time and have patience they will certainly start to relax and trust you as they get older xx

[eleda]

=/ if he had such a simple reason for re-homing them he could have just been up-front. is there any reason not to keep them?

[lizb]

I'm not in the best financial situation at the moment and they need (at least) a mesh topper. And to be honest I made the mistake of buying a 20 gallon high tank for the boys (because I thought they'd be a pair, but I couldn't bring myself to leave one alone there). So, they also need better housing. I'm just afraid I'm not going to be able to give both clans what they need.

Of course, I will make it work and take good care of them one way or another, be it with me or someone just as dedicated.

[eleda]

ahh, i see. well, i wish you and the gerbils all the best finding a solution.

[lizb]

Thanks! I plan to post pictures as soon as I can figure out how. LOL

[lizb]

But honestly I want what's best for all the animals. That's my biggest goal. I love them all, and unfortunately, get attached too quickly. Proof, I'm contemplating building a tank topper, and I am not a skilled DIYer.
(sorry for the double post... this got deleted and it's rather relevant.)

[eleda]

dont do it! it'll just make it harder for you to part with them. or, at least think hard about whether you could manage the expense of more gerbils before starting work on a topper. 8( don't want you to get too attached if you really can't keep them

[lizb]

I just feel horrible for even considering rehoming the girls.

[imjessiegee]

Have you came to a decision?

[reesesturtles]

Lizb, where are you located? There may be someone on the forum who can adopt them if you aren't able to keep them. If I wasn't between jobs right now and close enough I would. But right now I'm couch surfing while my gerbils are at my sister's place several states away until I am employed again with my own place (yeah it sucks).

Anyway, I'm sorry that guy was such a dip, abandoning his pets like that. You can try Freecycle or Craigslist to see if you can find something to help with their habitat situation if you plan to keep them. Things I have done to save money is thin out the store purchased bedding by mixing it with shredded newspaper, clipping bamboo from a park nearby, baking it and giving it to my gerbils (they LOVE bamboo!) which gets chewed up and mixed into bedding, using the large bag of Ecotrition rabbit food instead of the gerbil food (nutrition content is the same), and going to Ace hardware to get treats and items far cheaper than what pet stores sell them for (like small flower pots, seeds and dried mealworms). Also, things like cardboard, glass jars, and crumpled paper can enrich their habitat without extra cost.

[lizb]

I'm near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I'm trying to avoid Craigslist for fear the innocent girls will wind up as snake food. So, right now I'm searching my extended network for people who will take care of them. I would love it if someone from the forum was close enough.

I've been scouring Craigslist everyday (for both clans actually), no luck so far. But those are great money saving suggestions. Thank you! I scored boxes from the supermarket that I'll cut up and add to the tanks, as well. Question, though, wouldn't printed paper hurt them?

Thank you again for your suggestions. I hope you find a new job and are reunited with your gerbils soon.

[reesesturtles]

Printed newspaper is fine. They use nontoxic soy based ink due to federal regulations. I wish you and the critters the best and hope you can find someone who is able to help out.

[lizb]

Thank you. You've all been so kind in making me feel less horrible.

[alicefab]

I remember as a kid getting 3 gerbils(that i thought were same sex) from the pet store. Turns out one was male and i had to return him. Had no choice, didnt have a spare cage or money to keep him. It was horrible. You have two choices, either go for it and keep them, there's always a way OR you will have to find them a decent home with people who will definately look after them(easier said than done) If it was me, i would just keep them but your best bet is to weigh it all up. Will you be able to provide them with a really good home? or do you think someone can do a better job? I dont question your dedication, just the fact that you already have other gerbils and they'll all need attention. At one point, i had 5 gerbils, two females in seperate cages due to them having a fight, a brother and sister that i rescued from the pet shop(they were literally LIVING in a carrier box in there for god knows how long) and another older gerbil. I had to clean their cages out, get them out for a run etc etc. It was easy enough and the way i see it, maybe your attention will be enough, some people never bother with their pets. I would just have a look around, if you really can't find anyone suitable, i would just keep them but yes, be careful about the snake food, that would be awful! Good luck btw, i probably haven't helped at all-lol!