As the month of December marks a year since we pulled off our biggest rat rescue I thought I'd write a post about our year of rescue. This post will also be the first one on 'The Duffy's Rescued Rats'.We have not been doing this a long time; only a year, and we are not a registered charity. We are a husband and wife team who both care deeply for animals. When we got our hamster Sonnen in September 2010 we were not prepared for how she would impact our lives. Our view on animals has changed dramatically. We are now vegan, volunteer in the small animal room at the Humane Society, and have a special affection for small animals. While we have had many animals come into our lives and touch our hearts it is Sonnen who was instrumental in challenging us to begin thinking differently about the way humans treat animals.
Before we begin I must express a heartfelt thank you to the PEI Humane Society, the Moncton SPCA, Kristine Martin, Sarah Laird, Peter and Holly Noel, Jennifer Acheson, Dr. Marion Desmarchelier, Dr. Adriana Nielson, Dr. Andreia Fernandes, Dr. Shannon Ferrell, Dr. Emily Pringle, Dr. Jamie Kelly, Jody Kocsis, Global Pet Foods, our families and all those who have prayed, supported and encouraged us. Your kindness has meant so much.
Before we begin I must express a heartfelt thank you to the PEI Humane Society, the Moncton SPCA, Kristine Martin, Sarah Laird, Peter and Holly Noel, Jennifer Acheson, Dr. Marion Desmarchelier, Dr. Adriana Nielson, Dr. Andreia Fernandes, Dr. Shannon Ferrell, Dr. Emily Pringle, Dr. Jamie Kelly, Jody Kocsis, Global Pet Foods, our families and all those who have prayed, supported and encouraged us. Your kindness has meant so much.
1. First some background: Josh had 2 rats when he was in high school and they were named Venom and Thanos.
Growing up I had hamsters and guinea pigs but never had rats. Milo and Casper were the first rats that we had together. We got them on December 26, 2011. The love and affection that Milo and Casper gave to us inspired us to help rats in need. (Watch a video of Milo and Casper here)
2. Boomer was the first rat whom we rescued. He was on Kijiji being offered for snake food so we picked him up and took him to the Moncton SPCA since the PEI Humane Society was not yet able to take in rats. In Moncton, it didn't take long for this sweetie to find his new home.
3. Our biggest rescue took place December 1, 2012. Noel and her babies were being sold on Kijiji for as snake food by a woman who was trying to breed rats to feed to her snake. Noel was aggressive with us at first and we could hardly handle her or even be near her without being bit several times. However after 72 hours, Noel was literally leaping into our arms and snuggling with us. She came to us with 7 babies and was pregnant with 11 more, putting us at a total of 19 rats...the most we’ve ever had at one time. (Read more about Noel and her babies here)
4. The Moncton SPCA very graciously agreed to take all of Noel’s babies. However, we decided that we wanted to be involved in the adoption process, and so we created our website http://duffysrats.weebly.com/ which included profiles of each rat. We created a thorough adoption application and made a home visit to those who were interested in adopting. (Watch a video of the babies here )
5. It took us 8 months to successfully adopt out all of Noel’s babies. We kept Noel and 4 of her babies.
Kesha Rose was the only baby we kept from the 2nd litter.
Kesha Rose was the only baby we kept from the 2nd litter.
6. We rescued Penelope on Valentine’s Day. She was being offered for free as snake food on Kijiji. The ad said that the snake wouldn't eat her and that they didn't want her to go to waste. When we went to get her and I knocked on the apartment door, the man simply handed me a box and then shut the apartment door before I could say anything. Inside the box was a rat who was very skinny and dirty. Despite the obvious neglect that she endured, Penny was very responsive to all the food and love we gave her:) We found an adopter for Penny on the same day that we rescued her and after a few days with us she went to her forever home where she had rattie friends to live with. (Read more about Penelope here)
7. Josh and I wrote up a proposal for a rat foster program at the PEI Humane Society and it was approved. Since then several rats have been placed in loving homes through the foster program.
8. Hope and Charity were the first rats to come into the the new foster program. They had also been rescued from becoming snake food. Josh and I fostered them. After giving Hope lots of love, we ended up needing to have her euthanized because of severe health issues.
8. Hope and Charity were the first rats to come into the the new foster program. They had also been rescued from becoming snake food. Josh and I fostered them. After giving Hope lots of love, we ended up needing to have her euthanized because of severe health issues.
9. We worried about Charity being by herself without a companion. When I used to admin the Facebook Shop n’ Swap site I was sent an ad for a free rat who was living in a hamster cage. Josh and I went and got her and named her Mylee. She and Charity bonded instantly.
10. Charity and Mylee were adopted to the same couple who adopted 2 of Noel’s babies from her first litter. (Read more about Charity and Mylee here)
10. Charity and Mylee were adopted to the same couple who adopted 2 of Noel’s babies from her first litter. (Read more about Charity and Mylee here)
11. We have also rescued 4 mice: Tippy, Pippy, Ghosty and Shag, who were going to be snake food. The ad on Kijiji said that the snake wouldn’t eat them and if no one came to get them they could ‘take their chances outside’. Thanks to the PEI Humane Society, they have found wonderful homes.
12. On Thanksgiving, we took in a black and white rat named Spinoza. He was being given away for free on Kijiji. He was quickly adopted by the same vet student who adopted 2 of Noel’s babies.
After a year of reaching out to rats, this gives us a total of 26 rats rescued and 3 mice. As we approach a new year we plan to continue looking out for rats in need and fostering for the Humane Society. We are very thankful for all the opportunities we've had so far to meet such loving little creatures and to have a hand in helping them find the loving homes they deserve.