For those of you who appreciate the spirit of Valentine's Day, I invite you to join me as I reminisce with some furry Valentine's of my own. Regular readers may recognize Blue (aka Blueberry) and Raz (aka Raspberry) when they were featured in December 2022. I was sadly unaware that their brother, Grape, would pass away unexpectedly only a few short months after that feature was published.
In December 2022, Woniya and her family decided to reopen their hearts to keeping rats and adopted five baby boys: AC/DC, Cappy, Sherlock, Watson, and Ernie. However, the story of their journey as rat owners started way before then.
Today’s feature follows three rats that were rescued at different times and through different circumstances before finding their way to Rattie Ratz Rescue and, ultimately their forever home with Esther and her daughter. Rattie Ratz is a rescue located in the Bay Area of Northern California that specializes in rescuing and rehoming domestic pet rats.
In April of this year, three adorable baby rats found their forever home, eagerly embraced by a family looking forward to owning more rats.
Melissa's journey into rat ownership began in college. It was her first time living without pets after having grown up with cats and dogs.
Rattie Ratz Rescue, located in the greater Bay Area of Northern California, takes in hundreds of needy rats each year. The rescue's volunteers have learned that the task of matchmaker is an incredibly crucial role that affects the successful placement of a rescued rat into a loving home.
“Captain, the rescue team from Tanzania has arrived. They’re unloading their gear. Where should I take them?”
Captain Dietrich Hall paused, his hand full of rubble and freezing snow held mid-air.
With every ending there is hope of a new beginning and a second chance. Today’s feature follows the story of Fern and Juniper. They were very much beloved by their previous owner, but sadly, the owner was chronically ill. With their condition worsening, they no longer felt that they could care for the girls as they deserved, so they reached out to Rattie Ratz, a rescue located in the Bay Area of Northern California who specializes in fostering and rehoming domestic pet rats.
No animal can escape aging, and sadly, some enter their golden time far too quickly. Rats are one such animal and are considered a senior by the time they are two years old. Because a rat’s life span is so short, and being a long-time rat owner myself, I have come to greatly respect the indomitable spirit of those who chose rats as their companion animal. Having to say goodbye to your beloved pets every 2-3 years can be challenging. It takes a big heart to care for an animal you know you will have to say goodbye to over and over again.
“You did well in your previous life, my friend.”
Magawa looked up into the smiling face of the King of Rats, who sat in an ancient rocking chair made of teeth-hewn cypress. As he rocked, the Rat King looked at those assembled around, he and Magawa, who thought there must have been hundreds of other rats staring at him.
As you may have guessed, KRL loves animals, and we also enjoy highlighting those who rescue them. This week we are chatting with Philly Rat Rescue.
KRL: Rescuing animals is a labor of love and total dedication. What was the catalyst for you to acquire Philly Rat Rescue and when did this happen?
