pet rats

Feb 2021 13

Rattie Ratz: A New Beginning–The Journey of Bowie & Lennon

2021 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Stephanie Cameron

This month I’d like to introduce a beautiful love story between two rat brothers and their human mom. The goal of Rattie Ratz Rescue since its inception 22 years ago has always been – and continues to be – finding loving forever homes for domesticated rats, a very misunderstood pet. Many do not understand the attraction of having rats as pets, but for those who have experienced the captivating playfulness and amiable nature there is no other animal companion quite like a rat.

Jan 2021 16

Rats in the COVID Shuffle: The Shrews

2021 Articles, Pets, Rodent Ramblings

by Alyssa Nader

Rattie Ratz mission is to find loving forever homes for all the rats who come our way. Many of our volunteers (including myself!) enjoy our own personal ratties just like the folks who adopt from us. Since we are in the business of rescue, we often come across our future pets at unexpected times and in unexpected ways.

Dec 2020 12

Rattie Ratz Rescue: A Big Heart in a Small Package

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Stephanie Cameron

As a volunteer with Rattie Ratz Rescue I have come across my fair share of unique- looking rats: Russian blue, dumbo blaze, double rex albino, hairless, mink possum and even a tail-less rat! I had certainly heard of and even seen dwarf rats a few times in the past but had never had a chance to really interact with them.

Nov 2020 14

The Way Home: Fostering with Rattie Ratz

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Alyssa Nader

Our mission at Rattie Ratz is to find all ratties who come to us to find a loving, forever home. An important step along the way is often a foster home.
Not everyone knows that Rattie Ratz is an all-volunteer, decentralized organization. There is no central, large, rat-shaped building with a big sign that says “Rattie Ratz” (maybe one day!). Rather, we base our rescue efforts on volunteers’ love and homes.

Oct 2020 10

Rattie Ratz Rescue: Quarantine Buddies Tapioca and Jelly

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Stephanie Cameron

With most of the world on lockdown, having only yourself for company can get old pretty fast. Thankfully, lots of people are finding creative ways to keep themselves busy. Personally, one of my favorite methods to pass the time is by enjoying the company of my pets, and I know I’m not alone in this. Many people are spending their extra time pampering their furry friends or opening their hearts and homes to one or two new family members. Emily had this same idea, and now has two rat brothers keeping her company.

Sep 2020 12

Rattie Ratz Rescue: Freddie & Benji

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Alyssa Nader

Rattie Ratz mission is to find loving forever homes for all the rats who come our way. We reached out to Gradiva and Zehara to hear about how their new boys are doing now that they’ve had some time to settle in.

Jul 2020 11

Rattie Ratz Rescue: Ralph & Remy

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Alyssa Nader

Kelly got Remington (Remy, a black Berkshire boy) and Ralph (a variegated gray boy) on her birthday weekend this January.
“They were a gift to myself after losing my two boys in the fall of 2019, one being my heart rat. I was very excited to get babies again, and boys are my absolute favorite!”

Jun 2020 13

A Special Love for a Special Kind of Rat

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Stephanie Cameron

When people think to adopt from a rescue, what some may not realize is that for every animal adopted, there are many more still in foster care and some of these animals may never leave the rescue. Groups such as Rattie Ratz, a non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming domestic pet rats in the San Francisco Bay Area, developed a sanctuary program so that these animals will always be safe and taken care of, even if they can’t find a home outside the rescue.

May 2020 23

Rattie Ratz Rescue: Strawberry & Detective

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Alyssa Nader

Jennifer and her family adopted two rattie boys from Rattie Ratz in December. We spoke to her (and heard in her kids’ own words!) about how they’re doing in their new forever home.

Apr 2020 18

When a Little Sister is the Best Teacher: The Story of Rocky and Rae

2020 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Rodent Ramblings

by Stephanie Cameron

A little over a year ago Rattie Ratz was asked to help with a hoarding situation. A woman had gotten in over her head and had far too many pet rats living in her home. There weren’t enough cages to separate genders, so the females were getting pregnant indiscriminately. The local authorities had to get involved and from young pregnant females to old males, the rats made their way to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. The shelter asked Rattie Ratz to help and between December 2018 and January 2019 Rattie Ratz took in almost one hundred rats.