02/14/2025
All the rats that come through Best Friend Rodent Rescue’s doors are special.
But today we want to honor the memory of one of our special ratty alumni, named Joan, who crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈 January 28, 2025.
Please join us as we mourn and remember Joan, in this tribute post to her life and legacy.
💖🐀💖
Joan, formerly known as Fern the Capital Forest Momma, was a hooded heroine who found herself pregnant to full-term, with her juvenile sons and daughters and Papa rat, cast out deep in the woods of beautiful Capital State Forest near Olympia, WA.
Believed to be a group of lab rats who came from unknown circumstances; dumped and abandoned near some boulders off-trail. They were left to fend for themselves, vulnerable to predators and without a clue of how to find food. It was survival on a whole other level for domestic rats. Without the intervention of the amazing compassionate individuals from Rest Easy Farms who stepped in to capture and secure these little souls for us, life may have been much shorter and found an egregious end.
As the rescue operation began, it was evident through the process of carefully trapping, that Joan was making sure all her family would not be left behind. She was the last to be trapped. Though one may think that was just happenstance, knowing rats deep empathy and extremely high intelligence, we believe differently.
Joan was carefully surveying the situation as it unfolded, leading each of her children to what she knew would be their one shot, a second-chance with trustworthy humans.
She was truly an amazing rat. Although she had faithfully served her purpose in her unknown former life, she found herself and family abandoned. Rather than get swallowed up, she braved the unknown, trusted humans again though life gave her reason not to, and with her partner Papa rat, led her children to safety. The next day after their capture, she gave birth to another litter!! Even ready to burst, she stayed faithful to see her family to safety.
Joan received her second chance when she found a forever home through Best Friend Rodent Rescue, with Rebecca and Max. Two wonderful hoomans who gave her the love she so deserved.
She lived out her remaining days in her adoptive home along with some of her children by her side, finding a safe haven of deep love, care and a shoulder to lean on that every rat should experience.
It takes a village to fight the good fight and help souls in need, turning heartbreak into happy endings.
In memory of Joan, our very beloved Fern-Capital Forest Momma and all her family, may she forever now rest in peace.
☮️ 🐀 💖
501C3 Non-Profit small animal rescue located in Everett, WA. Working mainly with domestic pet rats.
