by Alyssa Nader

Alyssa Nader is a volunteer with Rattie Ratz Rescue in the bay area of California. Each month KRL will be featuring at least one animal rescue adventure story, and every other month there will be one from Rattie Ratz.

Interior design hack you need now: free roaming rats

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!”

Ralph and Remy riding high

For those who know, having a “heart rat” is a very special event. Ratties and humans have different lifespans. Since rats live such a short time compared to humans (2-3 years on average, sometimes even shorter due to illness or accidents), rat owners tend to have and lose, many rats. Every once in a while, you get to know a rat who captures your heart on a deep level, often right from the beginning. That’s a heart rat! Having a rat like this is a wonderful experience and losing them is always rough.

Remy, ball of love

Rattie Ratz helped Jennifer connect with Remy and Ralph once she was ready to love again. She described when she first met them and how they’ve changed since then:

Remy

“Remy was very outgoing and curious right from the beginning. Ralph was very shy and would not come out of his little box for the first three days that I had them. How things have changed!

Remy is still extremely outgoing and curious and has an incredible amount of energy. He just keeps going and going – and going!

Ralph, floppy rat

Ralph is very friendly, loving, calm, and loves to be scratched. I call him my floppy rat. He will let you do anything with his body; he’s definitely more “chill.” After hours of playtime outside the cage you will find Ralph curled up asleep somewhere and Remy still running around.

They love to play tackle and groom each other– they’re a classic bonded boy duo. I never get tired of watching them play and seeing their individual personalities develop. They bring me hours of entertainment and so much joy! “

Rattie Ratz is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to help all domesticated ratties who come to us find a loving, forever home.

Friends

Rattie Ratz: Rescue, Resource, & Referral
Click here to email us at: info@rattieratz[dot]com
Call us at: (415) 340-1896

If you would like to know more about Rattie Ratz Rescue you can visit their Facebook page. If you are interested in adoptable rats or volunteering for Rattie Ratz Rescue you can visit their website: www.rattieratz.com.

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section & watch for more stories from Rattie Ratz every other month. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to Rattie Ratz.

Alyssa Blake Nader is a writer and mental health professional living in the Bay Area. She is new to the rat community and mother to two rat brothers named Bitey and Pablo. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, improve performance, dancing to techno, and bothering everyone about rats.