A sudden influx of pet rats — 97 of the critters, to be precise — has the Victoria branch of the B.C. SPCA scrambling to find adoptive homes.
“I moved some out but I have a lot still,” said branch manager Annie Prittie Bell. The sheer numbers are putting a strain on space and resources.
The rats were surrendered into SPCA care by someone who has been admitted to hospital and is unable to care for them.
It’s an unusual set of circumstances, Bell said. “I’ve dealt with large animal situations for cats and dogs, but I’ve never done it for rats, especially not in one go like this.”
She said rats make good pets, despite how skittish they can make some people.
“A lot of these guys are very social,” she said. “We’ve got some pretty nice rats overall.”
Various measures are being taken, Bell said.
“We’re looking to transfer some of them,” she said. “We’re hoping to adopt out a bunch as quickly as we can because they’re quite social and they really love each other.
“We’re hoping to adopt in pairs if we can.”
The rats range in age from about three months up to two years. Bell said the older ones are the most used to handling while the youngest can be a little jumpy.
She said the SPCA’s Napier Lane location will be open over the weekend. The public is invited to drop in from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday or call 250-388-7722.
