20/11/2024
It’s heartbreaking to see how many rats are being rehomed recently. I am contacted almost weekly—sometimes even twice a day—by people asking me to either help rehome their rats or take them in.
Unfortunately, there simply aren’t enough good pet homes available.
Before getting rats, please consider the following:
1. Female Rats from Pet Stores: If you buy a female rat from a pet store, she is most likely already pregnant. Be prepared with a backup plan for her babies.
2. Mixed-Gender Housing: If you keep male and female rats together past five weeks of age, you will most certainly have babies on the way. You deliberately bred your rats and this makes you responsible for the offspring—don’t shift that responsibility onto someone else.
3. Time Commitment: The most common reason rats are rehomed is, “They don’t get the attention they deserve.” If that’s the case, take action. Rats are surprisingly easy to please:
🐀 Allow as little as 30 minutes a day in a play area like a bathroom or spare bedroom,or on a couch/bed under supervision.
🐀 Make sure they have a friend or two for companionship.
🐀 Prepare simple foraging toys weekly, giving them a new one daily. For example, a box stuffed with treats and nesting material, a digging box, or a splash pool can keep them entertained.
🐀 Rats don’t need as much attention as a dog or cat. Even 5–10 minutes of quality time daily can make a difference.
🐀 Rats don’t live long, and rehoming can be very stressful for them as they bond strongly with their owners and cage mates. Consider this before deciding to give them up.
Finally, please remember that rescues are overwhelmed. They’re already caring for dozens—or even hundreds—of rats, focusing on animals in genuine distress. They can’t take in pet store rats or pets simply because owners are unprepared.
If you’re thinking about getting rats, plan responsibly and ensure you’re ready to commit to their care. They deserve it.
