Historical article first published on 2025-05-27. Events, announcements and arrangements below refer to that period; check the organisations’ current information before acting.
In May 2025, an exceptionally large rescue mobilised the degu community on Facebook: hundreds of these small rodents had reportedly been found in one person’s home. Les Petits NAC intervened urgently and worked to bring as many animals as possible to safety.
The original report associated this situation with possible animal hoarding. The number of animals or a social-media account cannot establish a psychiatric diagnosis of the person concerned.
Understanding animal hoarding
Animal hoarding, sometimes called syndrome de Noé in French, describes situations in which someone accumulates more animals than they can adequately care for. Animal health, hygiene and the person’s living conditions can deteriorate severely. It may be associated with hoarding disorder or other difficulties, but the individual’s circumstances require professional assessment.
Such situations call for appropriate human support as well as protection and veterinary care for the animals. They should not be reduced to a diagnosis made from a distance or a simple moral judgement.
Organisations and fundraising appeals involved in 2025
Several associations joined the rescue effort, and the original report described many animals as critically unwell. At that time, the rescued degus were not yet being offered for adoption while they received care. This statement records the 2025situation, not their present adoption status.
The original appeal listed the following organisations and fundraising pages. These links document that campaign; check the organisation’s current official information before donating or asking about an animal.
| Organisation | Facebook page | Fundraising link |
|---|---|---|
| Les Petits NAC (coordinating the rescue) | Association Les Petits NAC | HelloAsso |
| Une Seconde Vie | Association Une Seconde Vie | HelloAsso |
| Les NACS d’ALMA | Les NACS d’ALMA | OnParticipe fundraiser |
| Le refuge de Jade | Le refuge de Jade | HelloAsso |
Use only the official fundraising links published by the organisations themselves. Avoid intermediaries who may not pass on the money, or who might exploit publicity around a large rescue.
Ways people were asked to help
- Share the organisations’ posts on Facebook and other social networks to draw attention to the rescue.
- Donate, even a small amount, through their official fundraising pages to help pay for veterinary care, food and essential equipment.
- People near Amiens, France, were invited to contact Les Petits NAC to offer cages, food, bedding or other supplies.
- Other associations were asked to contact Ludivine, coordinating the rescue, at lespetitsnac@gmail.com or through Facebook. The appeal was seeking transport volunteers and foster homes.
These were requests made during the 2025campaign. Ask the relevant association which forms of support it currently needs before arranging a delivery, transport or foster placement.
Octodons.fr and Oktodon: sharing appeals, without taking in more animals
At the time of this appeal, Octodons.fr and the Oktodon association reported that they could no longer take in additional degus directly. They continued to share calls for help, fundraising pages and information from the associations, and to look for ways to help save as many rodents as possible. Contact them directly for current arrangements.
Sources
Octodons.fr (2025). Appel aux dons – Sauvetage de plusieurs centaines d’octodons !. Original French article, published 2025-05-27. https://octodons.fr/appel-aux-dons-sauvetage-de-plusieurs-centaines-doctodons/