We have adopted four little 6 week old rats today and they are all does. They are the most adorable little girls I have ever seen and my heart melts just looking at them.
But I've jumped too far. Let me take you back to when it all happened....When the cage finally arrived this morning, Ray and I went at it like a pair of whirling dervishes trying to get it put up and ready. Then I layered the shelves with cardboard and then added a thick layer of care fresh bedding to the top of the cardboard. I used a full bag on the three floors. I might have to cut back a bit the next time it needs cleaning or this could prove to be a little costly. Then the hammocks were hung, tunnels placed, bendy wooden ladders positioned, sleeping huts filled with soft bedding, food bowls filled with Burgess Supa Rat, two water bottles filled with fresh water and attached to the cage wall and a freshly filled litter tray went in. It was starting to look very cosy. All it needed is a couple of little rats. At this point it was coming up to 17:00 so we quickly dashed out to the car and drove to pets at home. Now I know, pet shops are bad places to buy a pet due to the increasing demand increasing need for animal breeding farms. But I looked into Pets at Home and they work alongside the RSPCA who monitor the farms where they source their rats and they do a lot of work with animal rescue charities. So I felt I didn't live anywhere near a breeder and the breeders I had contacted lived over 60 miles away from me and had not gotten in touch with me, I didn't have much of a choice.
We pulled up at the shop and went in. One very sad sight met us. One little boy rat on his own next to a cage with two young pretty friendly does. It broke my heart to see him on his own. But I knew we couldn't take him as we had our hearts set on getting at least two if not three rats. The girl serving us brought out some more rats that have been delivered two days previously. Four little girls in the cage and they were so scared looking. I hadn't ever looked after rats that small before. But I was smitten. As I was the one who was paying I asked Ray if he minded us getting all four to which he grinned the biggest grin and said "I was hoping you would say that!"
The girl from the shop told us that the rats are the worst sellers and they usually end up growing up quite a bit and then end up on the adoption side of the store. But today not only we were buying the four little girls but another couple came behind us and bought the two rats there were out on display. The poor wee boy was left on his own. We asked if they would be getting any more male rats to keep him company and she said she honestly didn't know what the sex of the rats that they would be getting in next.
We bought some more bits and pieces whilst we were there, such as another larger food bowl, more bedding, travel box and a few more chew toys etc... Boy were Rays parents going to be surprised. :)
So we arrived home and introduced the girls to their new granny and grandpa. Granny laughed and was delighted and thought they were adorable. Grandpa was blown away by how small and beautiful they were. So it was all cool on the home front.
We brought them to their new home and they ran for the most secluded part they could find and stayed there. We decided to let them have some time to adjust and to come to terms with all the big changes they have had to undergo over the last few days. I think the large amount of space that was now available to them may have intimidated them too. But for now we are just leaving them to move around, mark their areas, check out the best hiding spots and finding the food and water. When they are more socialised I will take photos but for now I think the priority is for them to acclimatise.
Oooooh they're so beautiful!!!! I am a rat mummy!!!!!!
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