1. All hamsters are the Syrian breed and gerbils are Mongolian agoutis. You knew that, right? The Raleigh Rodent Rescue is serious about its small charges. www.raleighrodentrescue.org
2. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island cares for sick and injured sea turtles. Meet some of their patients at www.seaturtlehospital.org
3. Read how The Catman-2 Shelter in Cullowhee was started by Harold Sims, see adoptable cats and order Harold’s book, Cats Without Cages, at www.catman2.org
4. The Asheville Humane Society truly helps all creatures great and small. From Roderick the rat to Corky the horse, see them all at www.ashevillehumane.org
5. View the graduating class of prison dogs. These canines undergo eight weeks of intensive training by prison inmates to make them more adoptable. Read about this and other programs of the Cabarrus Humane Society. www.cabarrushumanesociety.org