Caitlyn's Critter Crusade

Story by Harrison Favero, Photos by Caitlyn Herkert

Deep in the heart of Oklahoma, amidst a world of social media rescues and unexpected adventures, Epic’s Caitlyn Herkert is running what might be the quirkiest operation in the Sooner State: an unofficial gerbil rescue. 

Or, as she calls it, “a labor of love, cardboard and sunflower seeds.”

It all started five years ago when then-10-year-old Herkert decided to rescue gerbils, a passion ignited by her mom’s childhood tales of gamboling gerbils and hamsters. But what began with a modest ambition to save six gerbils from a Missouri shelter snowballed into a full-blown rescue mission of her own. Since then, Herkert has saved and rehomed over 50 gerbils. 

They’re a part of her family now. And Herkert fits naturally into the unexpected role as gerbil whisperer and evangelist. 

“People just don’t know what to do with gerbils,” Herkert said. “One lady was going to let her gerbils loose outside, which is terrible for them. Gerbils aren’t exactly equipped for Oklahoma weather.” 

Herkert says this with straight-faced earnestness — but, honestly, did you really know that gerbils weren’t made for Oklahoma weather? They’re not mice, like the kind your neighbor chases out of his garage. They’re domesticated companions. Herkert’s goal is for people to see them that way. 

The interstate gerbil retrieval kick-started Herkert’s mission, though she admits gerbil rescue comes with unique challenges. 

More than just rescue: a mission

For Herkert, saving gerbils goes beyond finding them new homes. It’s about raising awareness and showing people that these tiny creatures deserve as much care and attention as any other pet. 

“I want people to know that gerbils aren’t just ‘starter pets.’ They’re smart, social and really funny once you get to know them,” she said.

Her dedication doesn’t stop at rehoming. Herkert spends hours ensuring her gerbils are properly cared for and matched with safe adopters. “I always check people’s social media profiles before rehoming a gerbil,” she said. “If I’m unsure, I’ll even take the gerbil to their house just to make sure that it’s a good environment.”

Her mission has touched more lives than just the gerbils’. One family who adopted a pair of gerbils for their young daughter said the pets had “brought the family closer together,” Herkert recalled. Stories like these remind her why she does what she does.

Challenges of a Rodent Rescuer

Finding homes for the little critters isn’t always smooth sailing. Some adopters aren’t quite what they seem. 

“I’ve had people try to adopt gerbils to feed them to their snakes,” she said. Herkert was quick to point out that gerbils are actually a no-no for snakes and are surprisingly bad snake-snacks — gerbils can be aggressive toward snakes or even harmful to their health.

A partnership with an Edmond exotic animal veterinarian has been a lifeline. The doctor once treated a paralyzed gerbil who was having leg spasms, a moment Herkert still remembers. 

“That was my first time taking a gerbil to the vet,” she said. 

Another time, she brought in a gerbil with teeth so long they were starting to grow into its mouth. Fun fact: Gerbils need cardboard to chew on, or their teeth turn into tiny tusks of doom (cue the ominous dun-dun-dun sound effect). 

From mittens to cuddles 

Each gerbil comes with its own individual quirks. Some have a penchant for drama. Herkert has names for all her rescues, but few are as memorable as Mr. Mittens, a black gerbil with white paws who made his way into her life after being rescued from a snake’s hungry jaws. Then there’s Nicholas, the escape artist who decided that life on a bookshelf just really wasn’t for him. He made a daring, midnight escape but didn’t get very far — eventually getting stuck behind said bookshelf. Herkert later found him there the next morning. 

“They’re like little acrobats,” she said. “If you leave a cage open for 10 seconds, they’re gone!” 

To counter their Houdini tendencies, she houses most of her gerbils in aquariums instead of traditional wire cages. “Aquariums are harder to escape from, but they still plot,” she joked. 

Herkert even has a sign for her “gerbil room” that warns visitors of potential scheming.

Herkert’s favorite part of rescuing is seeing sheer joy on tiny faces when they enter their new homemade setups. “They go from these cramped cages to a big tank with new foods and toys,” she said. One rescued gerbil, who had lived off rat food for weeks, lit up when introduced to sunflower seeds, Cheerios and even baby food puffs.

Big plans, bigger dreams 

Running a rescue while balancing school is no easy feat, but Herkert handles it with poise. “Most of the gerbil work gets done on the weekends or at night,” she said. With 28 gerbils currently in her care, she dedicates hours each week to cleaning cages, checking adoption posts and selling items on Facebook Marketplace to fund their needs.

But her future stretches far beyond her rescue efforts. Currently working toward an associate's degree through Epic Collegiate Academy, Herkert plans to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. 

“I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was 5,” she said. “Rescuing gerbils has taught me responsibility and the importance of helping others, even the smallest among us.”

For now, her life revolves around gerbils — and she wouldn't have it any other way. From building cardboard mazes to dealing with adoption drama, Herkert's days are filled with furry hijinks and heartfelt moments.

“I once had five gerbils sitting in a circle like they were having a meeting. They’re so much funnier and more unique than people realize,” she said. 

The future of gerbil rescue

As Herkert moves forward, she hopes her rescue will inspire others to see gerbils in a new light. 

“I want people to realize how much value these little animals bring,” she said. “They’re not just pets; they’re companions, with personalities and quirks just like any other animal.”

Though her time as a gerbil rescuer may wind down as she transitions into her journey into college and practicing medicine, Herkert remains optimistic that the legacy of her rescue will continue. 

A mother's pride

Ashley Herkert's pride is obvious when she discusses her daughter's commitment and compassion. 

"They take up a lot of her free time, and she has always put them first before her own desires.  Since she is financially responsible for them, she often goes without things a normal teenager desires and has put their needs first for several years now.  She began saving at age 9 and hasn’t stopped once to care for herself first," Ashley Herkert said.

But even though she is proud of her daughter, nothing could have prepared her early on for how it would be to share her house with dozens of gerbils. 

"I never imagined that it would grow to this proportion," she said. 

Her daughter must, at times, turn away potential rescue gerbils, but her good deeds don't end there. 

"She has gone to people’s homes, helping them separate gerbils by sex so they can’t reproduce again," Ashley Herkert said, explaining that people often buy two gerbils they think are the same sex, only to come home a few months later to find a litter of babies.

Ashley Herkert had gerbils when she was in college, so she had some idea of what her daughter was getting into. But not at this level.

"They are completely her responsibility, including earning the money to pay for their food, bedding, housing, tanks, etc.," she said, adding that moving the tanks to the storm shelter during severe weather requires all hands on deck. 

Ashley Herkert's background as a nurse has come in handy.

"(Caitlyn) has rescued a gerbil that was paralyzed from the waist down from an accidental fall, two gerbils with ear infections causing them to develop a head tilt, a gerbil with seizures, a gerbil that had a stroke, etc.  Only exotic vets will see gerbils, and those are very difficult to find in our area.  As such, we have learned to get our hands on resources such as veterinary books available to those studying exotic animal husbandry in vet school," she said.

And then there's the space the little fellas need to thrive. They take up an entire room.

"I have had to get two triple bunk beds, two entertainment centers and several cage stands for the gerbil rescue so she has enough space to place all the cages.  She also has racks out in the garage for back-up gerbil bedding and gerbil accessories.  Keeping their cage furniture changed out on a weekly basis leads to a gerbil that doesn’t get bored or depressed," she said.

Think ahead before rescuing gerbils

If the Herkerts' experience makes you want to try to start a gerbil rescue, be warned: It's a lot of work, and the costs add up. 

Ashley Herkert suggested reading everything you can find on gerbils, taking a personal finance class, and having the appropriate supplies (tank, water bottle) and funds for a year of care. 

But the rewards can be huge. Like her daughter, Ashley Herkert tries not to play favorites. But some gerbils just make an impression.

"My favorite gerbil was named Katherine.  She would come up to the top of her tank and look at you with big, beautiful eyes, imploring you to hold her.  She would sit in your hand, cuddle up and just be at peace with you.  She was so sweet and gladly took food from you.  Her favorite food was cheese," she said.