October 1, 2005
Those who are thinking about getting a pet that doesn't take too much space and is clean, cute, and fun-loving should consider a gerbil. In clear language written for the novice gerbil owner, Anastasi (see her web site abcgerbils.com) discusses everything from the gerbil's Mongolian origins and the costs of keeping one to how to buy/obtain a gerbil from animal shelters and the 22 (!) available gerbil colors. There is also information on housing choices, how to clean a gerbil tank and feed a gerbil (including healthy snacks), and a shopping list of supplies. Furthermore, Anastasi explains handling, taming, and addressing "problems," along with birthing, caring for the mother-to-be, weaning, and handling the babies; her health information on heat stroke, hypothermia, mites, seizures, and strokes is as useful as her coverage of entertaining, photographing, and teaching tricks is fun. (If you think your pet has star potential, she gives tips for entering gerbil shows!) Together with Betsy Sikora Siino's "The Gerbil: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet", this latest addition to the "Complete Care Made Easy" series is highly recommended for public library pet care collections. -Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston
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