by Stephanie D’Agostino
Steph D’Agostino is a Rattie Ratz Rescue
social media volunteer who loves hosting live educational events for the rescue
and sharing cute pics of the rescue rats.
As a volunteer for Rattie Ratz Rescue, one of my favorite things is hearing reports from the adopters after they’ve taken their new companions safely home. Everyone loves a happy update. Some of the rats in our care have had a very difficult start to life. Maybe they weren’t treated with kindness, or maybe they just didn’t have a chance to grow up in a safe and healthy environment. Seeing the adopted rats in their forever homes, playing on free roam, cuddling with their humans, or just napping in a hammock is the best!
Reformed Bad Boy
Justin aka Finn in his new home |
It can take up to 6 weeks for the testosterone to diminish after rats are neutered. Justin’s volunteer Kim continued to work with him on handling, petting, and getting used to being spoiled! Justin calmed down as the weeks past. He was still jumpy at loud noises but became curious and enjoyed exploring.
As much as Kim loved spending time with Justin, he was a lone rat, and she knew he needed a forever home with a friend.
Abriana is an experienced adopter who had adopted three rats with Rattie Ratz. Abriana expressed an interest in Justin, and it was the perfect match. It took almost a year, but the reformed bad boy found his forever home.
Justin’s name is now Finn, and he finally has a rat friend, another boy rat named Wimbley. It seems his tough days are behind him. Abriana says, “He’s such a sweetheart!”
Four’s Company
Purl, Cocoa, Mavis, and Flower |
Purl, Cocoa, Mavis, and Flower are four female rats that came from litters born in Rattie Ratz foster homes. They were featured at one of our adoption events at Pet Food Express, and it was love at first sight.
Kayla describes the girls as follows: “Purl (short gray/half naked goblin), Cocoa (Berkshire), Mavis (chunky orca baby), and Flower (white chin orca baby) have been wonderful to have since we got them earlier this spring. They are such great girls, so friendly and outgoing. We love them so much!”
No Nuts, No Problems
Summer adopted two boy rats at the end of last year, and when one passed away, leaving his friend Onion Ring alone, Summer knew it was time to adopt more. This time it was three baby boys, each with a different color (Stede, a beige rex; Cream of Wheat, a Himalayan; and Lucius, an agouti).
Cream of Wheat, Stede, Onion Ring, and Lucius |
Some rat owners may choose to just separate the rats and leave the hormonal one in a cage alone, with no chance to interact with other rats. However, rats are social creatures whose wild ancestors naturally live together in big colonies. In truth, for the vast majority of cases, a lone rat is a stressed rat. Luckily for the boys, Summer decided to have the two neutered instead of committing them to a life of solitude.
Summer took Stede and Cream of Wheat to a rat-friendly veterinary hospital, Exotic Pet Clinic in Santa Cruz. Summer says, “It’s all worked out now, but it was pretty stressful for the boys and me for a while. They did pretty well with their neuters and healed up pretty easy. We were able to reintroduce everyone, and now they’re as close as can be.”
Stede the teddy bear |
“They are all just such good guys and bring so much joy to my life.”
If you would like to know more about Rattie Ratz Rescue or find out about upcoming information/adoption events, please visit our Facebook or Instagram. If you are interested in adoptable rats or volunteering for Rattie Ratz Rescue, visit their website at www.rattieratz.com
Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section on Kings River Life, and the Pets section here on KRL News & Reviews. Check back every month for another animal rescue adventure from Feral Paws. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to a local animal rescue. We also have a special Facebook Group for our pet articles--join and never miss a pet article.
Comments
Post a Comment