St Francis Rat Sanctuary

04/01/2025

✨SUCCESSFUL INTRO✨

NEWT the PEW was a young stray found in Cherry Hill NJ and has been waiting for a friend since she arrived in November. MINA is our newest surrender who was transferred to the Delco foster home from Philly.

We had them in cages next to each other for a week since Mina came in right before Christmas. We finally were able to introduce them on New Years Day and we are all thrilled with the result:

No squeaks, no puffy fur, no aggression. We believe both were lonely and they took to each other right away. The last photos are from this morning, they have not been seen solo since!

Please give a warm welcome to NEWT & MINA❤️❤️❤️

01/01/2025

Last night, Cecelia was getting cool body temp wise, so I knew she was getting ready to pass.

Cecelia, last of the semiwild kids: 11/4/2021 to 1/1/2025

(Foster mom: For the first time I can recall since I got psoriasis 8 yrs ago, I didn't itch all night. I actually got a good nights sleep. Maybe that was Cecelia's going away gift. 💔)

31/12/2024

(Sanctuary news): LT DAN, who looked like he was near death a few wks ago, is looking great now!

We thought he had passed, he had been listless, then wasn't moving.

But baytril/doxy, Revolution, and cooked oatmeal with yogurt brought him back!

His fur had been dull and falling out, he lost weight, but now is having fun running about. He put on weight, his fur is getting glossy again, and he loves being held (!)

He came in a year ago as a biter from having been a classroom pet.

The cat carrier pic is from November, BEFORE treatment.

29/12/2024

Our sanctuary lost DAFFY this morning.😭

DAFFY came in a year ago when he was supposedly 2 yrs old. He was a good boy despite not liking getting his maloccluded teeth trimmed by Dr L (or any vet).

We will miss DAFFY very much. 😔

27/12/2024

On Christmas Eve, our sanctuary lost MINNIE. 😔

She was brought to us in July 2023 after being found abandoned outside. She stayed alone in sanctuary care because she never got along with other girls we had.

She suddenly took a turn for the worst at a little over 18 months old (her estimated age).

These are pictures from when she was younger.

20/12/2024

We have a new record! CECELIA is our longest-lived sanctuary rat, at 3 years, almost 2 months! She was born in sanctuary care along with 5 sisters and 6 brothers. Their PEW mom was found in the woods in Warminster in 2021, with a massive tumor and pregnant.

She gave birth 11/4/2021 and CECELIA has now outlived her 5 sisters and 6 brothers, as well as their mom.

20/12/2024

LT DAN is doing well again, after a scare where he seemed to have passed! Turned out he had an age-related mini stroke, and since changing his meds he is putting on some weight again, and is active.

He was brought to us a yr ago as a "biting classroom pet". He is now cuddly and sweet, and loves being held!

18/12/2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS from PHILLY RAT RESCUE/ST FRANCIS RAT SANCTUARY!

14/12/2024

THANK YOU to the generous person who donated bedding and toys to us via Chewy! Chewy doesn't tell us who donated, so this is the only way we can say thanks!

14/12/2024

Yesterday (12/13) SFRS lost our big beautiful boy JUNIOR aka UNCLE JUN aka JUNEBUG💔

June came to us in the Delco foster home in late August as a solo owner surrender, and he was kept here due to his age (2 years). A month later in September he developed swelling in his face, which turned into a two month long abscess! After multiple vet visits and rounds of antibiotics, he recovered well from it and was a happy boy.

Unfortunately he was found in his cage passed on, after excitingly taking his food the night before. He did not seem sick or like he suffered, so we believe it to be a natural passing.

Junior did not love being handled but he LOVED being pet, especially head scratches. He was a very curious boy on the couch with us and was very loving in his own cautious way. He was so excited for his rotating menu meals.

We will miss our Junebug!🐝

11/12/2024

Senior bitey female ratty incoming! Will keep you all posted.

11/12/2024

We lost KALE yesterday. He came in last yr with his smaller buddy TIDBIT. Both are good boys but stayed in sanctuary care due to not liking being handled. 😔

11/11/2024

Today, BEA had to be put to sleep due to a huge mammary tumor. She was 2.5 yrs old and was predeceased by her dad JERRY3 (who the rescue got neutered so the little family could stay together), mom SMOOCHIE, and sister AY. 😔

24/10/2024

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM OUR PARENT RESCUE, Philly Rat Rescue :

Due to being a very small rescue whose foster parents are dealing with medical and other issues at the moment, we are closed to new intakes until January. Even then, it all will depend on if we have room.

Priority will be given to rats needing sanctuary care, since we are transitioning next year to being only a sanctuary and referral service. We will also continue to do courtesy postings of rats in our large private group of approved adopters here on Facebook, rats which will be fostered by their owners while we advertise them.

We also only take rats from residents within the city of Philadelphia when we do have space for more rats. If you live elsewhere, please contact rescues and shelters in your areas.

TRUE emergency cases regardless of location, please contact us and we will try to help as best we can by way of referrals, possible placements with our past adopters, etc

Please follow our sanctuary page: St Francis Rat Sanctuary here on Facebook.

Please also don't forget we have many old, sick, and bitey rats in permanent sanctuary care. They are costly to maintain, especially with vet bills. Please consider donating for them!

Go to paypal.me/phillyratrescue and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.

22/10/2024

Our sanctuary lost AGNES today. She was just a week shy of her 3rd birthday. 😔

She is survived by her remaining sister, CECELIA. Both girls were/are brown agoutis, like their other brothers and sisters who predeceased them.

04/10/2024

Happy St Francis Day!

03/10/2024

For those wanting to donate toward the care of our sanctuary rats, we use Paypal and US mail for donations.

Thanks so much!

paypal.me/phillyratrescue

US Mail:

PHILLY RAT RESCUE/SFRS,
8001 CASTOR AVENUE, #1-378,
PHILADELPHIA PA 19152-2742

Our phone is: 856 357 6603 for any questions.

Our email is: [email protected]

Our website: phillyratrescue.com

Go to paypal.me/phillyratrescue and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.