Socrates

Posted on September 5, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Toby, the big boy to the right was in desperate need of a friend, and he found that perfect companion in dear, calm Socrates. The family who adopted Socrates is a true rat-loving family where everyone cares for and gives love and attention to their now 8 male rats. We couldn't have found Socrates a better, more loving and fun-filled family!

Jitterbug & Tundra

Posted on September 5, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Jitterbug was rescued along with her friend Tundra. They were being used as part of a small animal zoo but they were surrendered because we were told that Jitterbug bites. Of course she hasn't bitten anyone since we met her. She was stressed and unhappy from being taken from place to place, handled by many strangers, and living in a room with other zoo creatures including reptiles. Now she and Tundra enjoy a wonderful life with other ratty roomates and lots of out time where it's safe.

Rosa & Elsi

Posted on September 5, 2014June 28, 2015 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Meet Rosa and Elsi, two sweet, fun, and loving rats who are looking for a loving family. Rosa is a little more timid and shy, and will need someone patient, but she does eventually gather up her courage and loves to explore. Elsi loves people and gives kisses and goes on shoulder rides. Both girls are estimated to be around 1.5 years old. These girls are extremely bonded and must be adopted together. March 15th, 2015: Rosa has unfortunately been diagnosed with PT (pituitary tumor), meaning he...

May

Posted on September 3, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Little May was named after the month she was found. Believe it or not, she was found in a small cardboard box in a Tim Horton's parking lot. An employee at Tim Horton's went out for a break, and noticed the box sitting out back. We're so glad she looked inside! May now lives with other ratty friends and still has a bit of a wild girl attitude.

Blue

Posted on September 3, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Blue is a senior rat who was surrendered when his owner worried that she couldn't give him the care or time he needed. He's now happy to laze about in his hammock, enjoying cuddles and pats that often come his way.

Treat Bucket Challenge

Posted on September 2, 2014September 25, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Because every rat deserves to be showered with love! (more…)

Rat Mythbusters!

Posted on September 2, 2014November 14, 2016 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Are rats really the smelly, disease ridden vermin society makes them out to be? We don't think so, here's why. (more…)

Glebe Pet Valu Fundraiser

Posted on August 28, 2014September 25, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Saturday, September 20th from 11am to 3pm! (more…)

Auntie Freida & Baby Cleo

Posted on August 27, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Freida was an abandoned ratty, dumped outdoors near some cottages. Luckily for her, she found her way into a cottage owned by caring people. They fed her, got a cage, and brought her to us. She is a real sweetie, gentle and always on the go. She's not even afraid of the resident cat, Jasper, who she chases around the house. She lives with baby Cleo, a rescue from the Ottawa Humane Society. Cleo was surrendered, along with her mom and siblings, and now she is great buddies with her Auntie Freida!

Homes Needed

Posted on August 24, 2014September 25, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Could you use some furry love in your life? We have some friends that will make your day. (more…)

Donations Matter

Posted on August 24, 2014April 12, 2016 by Kaitlynne-Rae

It's sometimes hard to conceptualize how much food, hammocks, fleece, litter, and money (largely for veterinarian care) an animal rescue can go through in a relatively short time. It's also sometimes challenging for us to be able to express just how big of a difference any donation makes. In order to shed some light on this, we'd like to go provide some details on our most common expenses. General Costs Food (per rat, per month)- $10 Hammocks (homemade, but the fabric still adds up) -$10 F...

Fosters Needed

Posted on August 23, 2014April 12, 2016 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Could you help a friend transition to a new family? We are happy to note that we are becoming more well known in the Ottawa and surrounding areas for our work rescuing rats. However, with this recognition comes additional calls, emails, and referrals from people who either have or have found rats that are in need of our assistance. This has lead to our resources being stretched thin. We are in need of additional foster homes to give incoming rats a safe place while we help place them in fo...

Harley & Gimli

Posted on August 23, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

These 2 friendly, perfectlty socialized boys are found their forever home together. They are well-behaved, liter-trained, and full of beans and youthful energy. At only 7-8 months old, they are almost full-grown and are going to be hefty cuddle bugs once they reach their full size. Their two other brothers have also been adopted. Yay for lifelong snuggles and cuddles!

Mascouche Surrender

Posted on August 21, 2014October 19, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

On July 25th, 2014, OPRATs was contacted about 22 rats at risk of being killed by a breeder in Mascouche, near Montreal, who had been reported by local authorities and was being ordered to stop all breeding. We had until July 27th to get those rats out, otherwise, they would be used as feeders. Now, with most of them safely in Ottawa, we have found out that the majority of the females are in fact, pregnant. With no vets in Ottawa who are willing to spay rats, we have been forced to move these...

Welcome to Ottawa Pet Rat Rescue!

Posted on August 21, 2014April 12, 2016 by Kaitlynne-Rae

For a long time, we have seen the need for an official, registered pet rat rescue in Ottawa. We are now proud and excited to have our dream realized! Whether it's finding a new loving home for a rat in need, or giving advice about health, diet and behaviour to a rat-parent, we hope to make a positive difference in the lives of pet rats. Please visit our website often to see what events were are planning, who is waiting for a forever home, and what fun ratty news we'd like to share. We welcome a...

Karissa’s Girls

Posted on August 21, 2014September 15, 2015 by Kaitlynne-Rae

These 5 gorgeous sisters and their dumbo-eared mom is looking for a loving home in pairs, trios, or even larger groups. Would you like a few fuzzy faces to warm your day?

Hugo & Bigby

Posted on August 21, 2014November 29, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

These two sweet, young boys are active, curious, extremely friendly. Hugo is a gorgeous agouti blazed, while Bigby is a Himalayan with a delicate, almost feminine face. These two boys are extremely bonded to each other and were adopted as a pair to a lovely family where they are settling in quite well! Hugo has even learned a few tricks!

Kai, Edgar & Junior

Posted on August 21, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Kai is Junior's mom. She had an 'accidental' litter of 13 babies, and her owner decided to keep the daddy rat and one son, and adopt out the mom and daughters. We're happy to have a mom and her girl together! Edgar is the lucky neutered boy who lost his identical brother, but instead, is now living with a whole gaggle of lovely ladies!

Cupcake & Cookie

Posted on August 21, 2014September 6, 2014 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Cupcake and Cookie are sisters. They were rescues from Kijiji Ottawa, and came to us in a cage reeking of cigarette smoke. We worried about their health, as rats are very sensitive to smoke, air fresheners, and perfumes. They've been doing great! They live in a nice big cage with other rat girlfriends, and they're happy to be in a smoke-free environment. Cookie and Cupcake were very shy at first and did not like to be held. They've come a long way, and with trust training, they enjoy being picke...

Rescue: River & Sky

Posted on January 27, 2014July 27, 2016 by Kaitlynne-Rae

Today we received a concerning and urgent email. A man had two female rats and was allergic, and if we didn't find a way to take them off his hands by 4pm, he was going to end their lives. He didn't have money for the veterinarian, he explained, so he would have to "do it the old fashioned way". We don't know what "the old fashioned way" is exactly - but we can hazard a couple guesses. None of them pretty or humane. So we went. Before we arrived we were assured they were in good health and...

Valleyfield Hoarder Rescue

Posted on January 20, 2014July 27, 2016 by Kaitlynne-Rae

On April 17, 2015 at around 1pm we received a call from a distraught lady named 'Karla'. She had been telephoning for help all morning, but none of the local humane societies or animal shelters in her area of Quebec were able to help her and the 24 rats she had discovered living in a 10 gallon tank in her sister's home. They had not been fed or given water in days and only upon urging, did her sister agree to give them water and some vegetables. One of the shelter staff mentioned that they ha...