Are you looking for your next loving furry friend? There are plenty of precious new pals just waiting for a new owner all across the North East.

There are dozens of small animals looking for a new home this winter, ready to be united with a caring owner and start their new lives.

Whether it's rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, or gerbils, we've picked out 11 of these little guys looking to be rehomed in the North East.

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Bailey, Taboo, and Malibu, Ferrets - Great Ayton Animal Centre, Middlesbrough

The Northern Echo:

These one-year-old three ferrets live with each other in the same enclosure and are very close.

As such, Great Ayton Animal Centre are looking to maintain their bond and rehome all three of them together.

Any owners looking to adopt the "cheeky and inquisitive" Malibu, the sociable Taboo, or the chilled out Bailey would find a varied mix of personalities to engage with, and three brand new friends.

The RSPCA recommends ferrets kept indoors are provided a spare room which is ferret proof, which will provide an ideal space they require to display all natural behaviour.

They also recommend ferrets kept outdoors be provided suitable accommodation, such as a shed with an attached run. The run must be full height (i.e. standard door height).

To find out more, visit here.

Barney, Domestic Rabbit - Great Ayton Animal Centre, Middlesbrough

The Northern Echo:

Contrary to what his name suggests, reptiles (and certainly dinosaurs) are sadly not included on this list, instead Barney is a rabbit seeking his new home.

However, this shy two-year-old rabbit is looking to love someone just as much as they love him, though he might be lacking a little confidence at the moment.

Barney has previously not spent much time with other people, and consequently is unsure when being petted and does not like being picked up.

Despite this, it sounds like he just needs the right home to show him kindness and, with time and the right owners, the RSPCA believes he will make a "lovely pet."

To find out more, visit here.

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Storm and Betty, Lionhead Lop - Felledge Animal Centre, Chester-le-Street

The Northern Echo:

Another package deal, this bonded pair of bunnies have really come out of their shells (again, not reptiles) since meeting each other.

The lovely Betty enjoys playing outside and being around people, and since becoming friends with Storm, her personality has really come through.

While, best friend Storm is known for his love of exploring and is decribed as being quite "cheeky."

He is still learning to be picked up and handled, however is known for being rather partial to treats, meaning there seems to be an easy way to get round him.

To find out more, visit here.

Goldilocks and Cinderella, Domestic Guinea Pigs - PawzForThought, Sunderland

The Northern Echo:

Adopting these two guinea pigs could definitely lead to a fairytale friendship for any prospective owner.

These two girls, as iconic as their names suggest, are both around a year old, and were picked up by the organisation after being found for rescue.

The two are described as "lovely" and desperate to find a new home.

To find out more, visit here.

Rowland, Rabbit - Brysons Animal Shelter, Gateshead

The Northern Echo:

This young rabbit is described as very peaceful and docile, with the shelter believing he could easily share a home with another doe.

As such, he could be suitable for owners who already have pet rabbits and are looking for a new friend for them.

Rowland was first found as a stray, and has since been neutered and vaccinated.

Despite living separately from the shelter's other female rabbit, Harriet, the shelter have said they got along together through the mesh and were very relaxed.

To find out more, visit here.

Pip and Squeak, Gerbil/Jirds - Great Ayton Animal Centre, Middlesbrough

The Northern Echo:

Mischeivous by name, mischievous by nature it seems with these two gerbils. You can tell these two were destined to be a pair, and Great Ayton thinks so too.

The two one-year-olds are seemingly a package deal, and are described as being very fond of burrowing and digging.

While the two are quite friendly, the animal centre has said they prefer to be on the ground rather than being picked up.

The cream-coloured Pip and grey-coated Squeak are ready for their new forever home.

To find out more, visit here.

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