We were contacted by MSPCA – Cape Cod Animal Adoption Center in Centerville, Mass. They took rats from someone who had too many. The owner said they were separated by gender but when the females started gaining weight the shelter suspected they might be pregnant and contacted us as they were not equipped to handle that many rats. Four of the six females gave birth and we took all of the litters and put them in foster homes where they could be handled and raised with love.
These babies came into custody on 09/28/2015.
Males: All adopted!
Females: All adopted!
UPDATE on the boys 1/8/16: The boys are doing great, they are all truly wonderful.
Update on personalities:
Saffron: Truly the leader of the group, he is the first to try everything. He has an adventurous spirit, but he also seeks out attention. He gets his brothers “going”, by starting little wrestle matches and running around the cage with coveted treats.
Cumin: Gentle and laid back, I have a feeling he will grow into a big squish. He always finds the best sleeping spots, and his brothers know to surround him with cuddles. He is a hammock lounger. He always takes treats from my hand so gently. He is reserved but not timid.
Coriander: Full of energy and not at all lacking in bravery. He is an inquisitive as he is goofy, and can often be seen doing acrobatic moves wherever he goes. He loves to play, but loves to eat even more! He is always the first one at the food dish when I put treats in their cage.
Chili: Chili is an observer, always letting his brother’s test things out first before he tries them himself. He is gentle and docile. He is content to come and sit with a person, but also loves to be lounging in a rat pile with his brothers.
Clove: Clove is the most reserved, but he is a true shoulder rider. He takes his treats very gently. He will lick your fingers/hand once he feels comfortable.
UPDATE on both girls 1/17/16: “These are just some of the NICEST rats. Really! They are not only gorgeous, they are just so friendly and fun. They have been well socialized with our older girl rats and just about every one of my daughter’s teenage friends! Everyone who comes over just has to take them out of the cage. They love people, they love food, they love toys of all kinds.
Nutmeg is just a sweet, gentle girl. She comes right over to the front door of the cage when you walk by and she loves to be held and cuddled. Although she is playful and active she does seem unusually cuddly for such a youngster.
Pepper is also very friendly, but a bit more curious. There isn’t anything that isn’t a toy for Pepper: a cracker box, a toilet paper tube, and even a crumpled piece of paper. We make sure that she has something new in the cage every day to explore. She will chew on everything, though — she ate through nearly every rung on a wooden ladder in the cage.
UPDATE on Dawn’s girls, 10/21/15: “All of the girls in this bunch are friendly, adventurous and ready for fun. Open the cage door and they all come running. There’s not a shy one in the bunch. They are all happy to be played with and welcome anything new – a new toy, a new food, or a new person to play with.
Vanilla: This gorgeous girl is up for anything! My daughter opened the cage door and without hesitation, she ran out the door and right up into her sleeve.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg, being the runt of the litter, is smaller than her sisters and also the most cautious. She hangs back a moment to see what her sisters are going to try first, but the minute she gets comfortable she’s “all in” to whatever mischief they’re up to. She is a true cuddle bug who loves to be held and will quickly find an elbow or crease in a sweater to tuck her nose into and fall asleep on your lap.
Pepper: This is a girl who knows what she wants. Today, with the cage door just opened, she wanted to be first out. She literally grabbed a sister who reached the doorway first, dragged her away from the door (twice!) with her teeth, just so she could beat her through the opening.
Sugar: A little lazier, or perhaps a little more relaxed than her sisters, she’ll hang back in the hammock sometimes when the cage door opens, almost as if to say, “Ah, now that everybody is gone I can have the place to myself.”
Cinnamon: She is bright-eyed and curious and eager to explore, but will also pause for a moment to rest in your hands. She is active, but not wild at all.”
RESERVED!
ADOPTED:
#2015275N, “Clove”, Rat, Blue, Berkshire, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/16/15
#2015284N, “Coriander”, Rat, Beige, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/16/15
#2015276N, “Saffron”, Rat, Black, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/16/15
#2015279N, “Cumin”, Rat, Beige, Berkshire, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/16/15 (not currently available)
#2015355N, “Chili”, Rat, Beige, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/16/15
#2015242N, “Pepper”, Rat, Beige, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Female, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: No
#2015244N, “Nutmeg”, Rat, Champagne, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Female, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: No
#2015246N, “Cinnamon”, Rat, Beige, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Female, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/2/15 (on hold)
#2015248N, “Vanilla”, Rat, Beige, Berkshire, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Female, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/2/15 (on hold)
#2015239N, “Sugar”, Rat, Blue, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Female, DOB: 09/21/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes, 12/2/15 (on hold)
#2015237N, “Princess Spice”, Rat, Beige, Berkshire, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Female, DOB: 07/19/2015, Spayed/Neutered?: No
Vanilla
Pepper
Nutmeg
Sugar
Cinnamon
Chili
Coriander
Cumin
Saffron
Clove
