Trogdor the Excavator
Every morning, we walk into the lab room and find bedding EVERYWHERE. How does it happen? 🧐 Well, Trogdor decided to show us exactly how he works his magic. Spoiler: it’s a combination of boundless energy and pure joy! 😂
This silly, sweet, and happy-go-lucky boy hails from the Wisconsin lab and is now on a mission to win hearts (and maybe rearrange some bedding along the way). Does your dig box look a little too neat? Trogdor promises to fill it—and your days—with laughter and love! 💛
Trogdor is ready to find his forever home. Could it be with you?
https://form.jotform.com/223004657598058
It's cage cleaning day for the Wisconsin Lab Rats! These three boys crack us up every day with their mischievous antics and charming personalities. Emmett, Carlisle, and Charlie Swan are living it up outside the lab and their bright, cheerful personalities are just what you need leading up to the holidays! Adopt them today!
It is all boggles for the hoarding case rats at Headquarters these days! 🥰
Théoden was the first rat I saw when I went to assist with the unfolding hoarding case last month. He was so sickly, I wasn't sure if he was going to make it.
He was a skeleton. Clearly in pain, Théoden was squinting and hardly moving. You could see mites crawling across his face. Théoden and his brothers, Lucky and Aragorn, were the first rats I told the shelter we would take, even though we didn't really have the space, because I knew that they were going to need extensive care if they were going to survive.
Théoden was absolutely COVERED in feces and urine. His coat was bright yellow. Feces was caked into his skin. He was missing big patches of fur due to the mites. He was more than half-starved, he was dehydrated, he had a URI and hookworms, he was skin and bones - and above all, he was sweet. Despite facing unfathomable cruelty in the home, Théoden allowed us to cradle his fragile body and wash the urine stains with baby wipes. He took his medication without question. He knew we were trying to help him, and he accepted it readily.
Over the course of four short weeks, Théoden has regained his strength. His fur is growing back. And - well - the video speaks for itself. Théoden has been my barometer for tracking the hoarding rats' progress. He was one of only two rats I took pictures of on their first day at SCH Headquarters. And today, Théoden is ready to be adopted. He is looking for a calm, quiet home with structure, predictability, lots of access to resources (food and water), and Whimzees. He and his handsome agouti brother Aragorn are ready to live the life of beloved family members, not like trash that has been discarded and forgotten. Théoden and Aragorn want nothing more than to be home for the holidays, and to experience the love and kindness they always deserved.
We can't thank you enough for your support for these rats. Théoden and Aragorn received MANY doses of medication (approximately 70) made possible by your donations. They sleep
The rats from the recent hoarding case would like to thank each and every person who donated baby food!
Not only is baby food useful for getting rats to take their lifesaving medications, but it is also a quick and easy way to get extra nutrients without having to spend hours cooking and chopping vegetables and fruits!
With over 70 rats on the brink of starvation, desperately needing to put on weight, baby food has been incredibly important for their recovery. ❤️🩹
Wisconsin Lab Rats
In the midst of the madness surrounding the hoarding case, we welcomed 15 beautiful retired lab rats to Headquarters on Monday evening! 🧪🐀 This is Liam aka Pillow, the biggest rat we have ever laid eyes on. 😰 Weighing in at a solid 832g on intake, Pillow is going to need a home that will help him get much-needed exercise! Pillow is going to see his new friend, Dr. Ernesto at Lucks Lane Veterinary Clinic and we will report back what we learn about why he is so chonky!
Pillow immediately felt at home at Headquarters, laying down in his soft bedding, munching on peach baby puffs, and boggling in a matter of minutes.🥹🥰 There is no better sound in the world!
Welcome to the Wisconsin rats. We are so glad you are here. ❤❤❤
Goal achieved
WE DID IT! 🥳
In less than 24 hours, this amazing community donated enough money to secure transportation for 15 lab rats to come halfway across the country! We are constantly amazed by this community and your support for our mission. We were fully expecting to be fundraising right until their transport in October!
Now that we can confidently cover the cost of their freedom ride, any other donations that come in for these rats will go towards the cost of their care once they're here! We know that one will likely need to see a veterinarian as she has been battling a nasty case of bumblefoot, and we will need to spoil these babies with lots of enrichment items like wood chews, foraging toys, and Whimzees. Not to mention, at least one of these rats weighs between 800-900g so we know they are going to EAT.
We truly can't thank you enough for your support. Without you, we could not make life-changing transfers like this one. Animal rescue takes a village, and rat people have shown up time and time again to make sure we know that when we need help, you will band together to make it happen. 💕
We will continue to keep you posted on the Wisconsin Lab Rats, but in the meantime, know that your generosity changes lives of rats all across the country. 🥰
Medina County Rats
The Medina County hoarding case rats wanted to say a huge "Thank You!" to Valerie, who has sent them baby puffs, chew toys, and cleaning supplies that are making their stay with us more comfortable! Thank you, Valerie!
Going home!
Frank is making sure that he looks his best because he is going HOME! The first group of The Joyous Eighteen have left the building, with several more groups adopted and waiting to be picked up. There are only a couple more groups who are still available for adoption, so if you have been considering applying for TJE now is the time! You don't want to miss out on these sweet boys and this amazing opportunity!
Benny Update
Important update on Benny's CT scan:
Unfortunately, Benny has not been feeling well this morning and had a seizure on the way to the vet. The doctor examined him and we discussed whether or not to proceed with the scan today. Ultimately we decided that it is in Benny's best interest to reschedule the scan for a couple weeks from now.
We will continue to keep you posted on Benny's journey! If you would like to donate to his CT scan fundraiser, you can do so at PayPal (www.paypal.me/secondchancerats) or Venmo (@secondchancerats). Thank you all for your love and support for our sweet Benny Boy!
The Joyous Eighteen
Calling all scientists👩🔬, science enthusiasts 🔬, and rat lovers who want to get involved in science! 🧬
Please join us in welcoming The Joyous Eighteen! These boys came to us from a laboratory where they were used in research looking at 🌈 JOY 🤩 and they are now ready to find their forever homes.
But that’s not all!
These boys are part of a ⭐️ Citizen Science Project ⭐️ meaning that their adopters are going to help us learn about the long-term effects of joy over the course of The Joyous Eighteen’s lives. Adopters will play a crucial part in this research, providing regular updates on their Joyous rats, including weight, health, and temperament. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Have we piqued your interest?
Here’s what you need to know about The Joyous Eighteen:
🐭 They are males born February 2nd of this year with no known health issues
🐭 They are very well socialized and comfortable with handling
🐭 They are coming from a laboratory environment, so they are still trying to get a grasp on “how to rat”
🐭 The adopters of these rats will be required to send regular updates to the research team - but these are low-effort-required type updates, things like weight, and whether they have developed any health or behavior issues, etc.
🐭 They will be adopted in groups of 3
🐭 They will be RANDOMLY ASSIGNED to their adopters (but don’t worry, they are ALL precious sweethearts!)
🐭 We want you to treat your Joyous rats like you would any of your other rats! Aside from regular updates to the research team, these are your beloved family members and can live with your other rats, have regular play time, and fit into your routines!
If you are interested in participating in this citizen science project, please fill out the adoption application linked below and be sure to include “The Joyous Eighteen” when asked what rats you are interested in! If you have any questions about participating in this special o
Dot's girls
Are your days noticeably devoid of ratty kisses? Dot's daughters, Mini and Iota are happy to oblige! These little eight week old firecrackers are waiting for you!
