* Mike, Dustin and Lucas have been adopted together to the perfect forever home! Yay! *

Mike, Lucas and Dustin were rescued from Brampton Animal Services. Their mom was found as a stray and she gave birth in the shelter.

While these wee guys are super cute, they are flighty and extremely frightened. They constantly hide and will look for any means of escape when they’re handled. They are not at all nasty, nor have they ever tried to bite, but they are probably the most frightened rats we’ve ever rescued.

The ideal forever home for these three would be an experienced rat person who understands that they will need time and patience to become more comfortable around people, and that they may never get over their fears. We hope that as they get older and realize that people are not out to hurt them, they will start to come around and not be so fearful.
Some articles on best practices for taming shy rats:
Mainley Rat Rescue
Ottawa Rat Rescue
Rat Fan Club

Mike, Lucas and Dustin had a vet check, and they’ve been neutered.

Here’s a report from their foster home:
“ Mike, Lucas and Dustin are very shy young boys. They are very energetic and super playful with each other but they’re still not too trusting of humans. During the time with me I’m seeing a little improvement, from running in their hides every time I came near the cage, now they are starting to be more curious of what’s happening outside of the cage and will come up at the bars to sniff you out. We’re still working on them taking food from my hands, happens rarely but it is starting to happen.
They are not cuddling rats at the moment, but with a lot of patience, love and bribing with treats one might be able to improve quite a bit the situation.
They are quite entertaining to look at when they are going around their business and building nests everywhere!
Still a little bit of training to do but they are already pretty good at using the litter box.”

 

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Ladybird recommends Critter Nation cages. They are hands down the most spacious, and best quality enclosure for small animals on the market. They come in single and double sizes, and can be modified and customized to create enrichment and provide comfort. Their design and solid manufacturing almost entirely eliminates the possibility of accidental escape. Critter Nation cages are available (or can be ordered) at most local pet supply stores.

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Can’t adopt but want to help?
Monetary donations are always needed, but if you’d like to donate something specifically for the rats in our care, donations of rat food, small pet blankets (used for cage lining), rat hammocks and fleece liners for Critter Nation cages are very much appreciated!
Donations of these items can be dropped off (and purchased) at Dundas Pet Valu – 86 Main Street, Dundas, Ontario. Or you can purchase items and have them delivered to us through our Amazon Wish List

Visit this page of our website to see all the ways to donate.