Meet adorable sisters, Aurora and Nova. They are estimated to have been born early to mid-August 2017.
These girls were originally supposed to become snake food, however, the snake owner had a last minute change of heart and could no longer bear to watch them killed and eaten by her snakes. Thankfully, she reached out to the rescue.
Despite everything they have been through, Aurora and Nova are extremely well-socialized. As with ALL babies, they don’t really enjoy being held, but they are extremely friendly, curious and show no fear of human hands. They love to nibble, climb, and sniff everything!
If you are willing to commit to loving, caring, and continuing to socialize these two sweet baby girls, please fill out an adoption application.
Please note, Aurora & Nova can also be adopted as a group of 4 with Stella & Peaches.
Meet adorable sisters, Luna & Eclipse. They are estimated to have been born early to mid-August 2017.
These girls were originally supposed to become snake food, however, the snake owner had a last minute change of heart and could no longer bear to watch them killed and eaten by her snakes. Thankfully, she reached out to the rescue.
Despite everything they have been through, Comet & Nebula are extremely well-socialized. As with ALL babies, they don’t really enjoy being held, but they are extremely friendly, curious and show no fear of human hands. They love to nibble, climb, and sniff everything!
If you are willing to commit to loving, caring, and continuing to socialize these two sweet baby girls, please fill out an adoption application.
Please note, Luna & Eclipse can also be adopted as a group of 4 with Comet & Nebula.
Meet adorable sisters, Comet & Nebula. They are estimated to have been born early to mid-August 2017.
These girls were originally supposed to become snake food, however, the snake owner had a last minute change of heart and could no longer bear to watch them killed and eaten by her snakes. Thankfully, she reached out to the Rescue.
Despite everything they have been through, Comet & Nebula are extremely well-socialized. As with ALL babies, they don’t really enjoy being held, but they are extremely friendly, curious and show no fear of human hands. They love to nibble, climb, and sniff everything!
If you are willing to commit to loving, caring, and continuing to socialize these two sweet baby girls, please fill out an adoption application.
Please note, Comet & Nebula can also be adopted as a group of 4 with Luna and Eclipse.
Yes, they are pretty much the cutest little boys you will ever meet.
Orbit & Flare are brothers who were originally bred to be snake food. They spent the first 7 weeks of their lives eating a mixture of dog food, bird seeds and rodent mix living in a 9L Rubbermaid bin. Thankfully, the human who had them before had a change of heart and decided she would no longer feed her snakes live rats.
Understandably, Orbit and Flare are nervous about being touched or picked up. They absolutely LOVE to smell your fingers and gently nibble your finger nails, and with just a bit of patience and coaxing, both will work up the courage to climb on your hands.
They seem to enjoy riding on your shoulders, but Flare especially get very nervous when hands are involved.
These adorable baby brothers are looking for a home that will understand their history, and continue to socialize them with patience, love, and lots of yummy, proper rat food and treats. Please fill out an adoption application to inquire about adopting these brothers.
Meet brothers Pudge and Felix. You will probably never meet a more adorable, squishable pair!
Both these boys are estimated to be around 1 – 1.5 years old. Although they may be a little bit older, this just means they are calmer, cuddlier and so much more adorable. Pudge is definitely the braver of the pair, and will often curiously come out to meet strangers, while Felix prefers to hang back until he’s sure things are safe. Both boys absolutely love banana, vegetables, and food in general.
These boys are looking for a relaxing retirement home where they will be spoiled and loved. They currently live with a foster family who has a large, respectful dog, and they don’t seem bothered at all.
To inquire about adopting Pudge and Felix, please fill out an Adoption Application Form.
These brothers are extremely friendly and curious. They come to the cage door for kale (Mathias’ favourite treat!), run around and explore in their play room, and enjoy interacting with their foster brothers. They absolutely LOVE to climb all over their foster mom and get the occasional head scratch. Mathias especially will beg at the door with his nose stuck as far out as possible.
Though they are easy to handle, they aren’t quite cuddly yet. Their natural curiosity means they would much rather be running around and exploring. Given some patience (and plenty of time to tire them out first) Murmur (the hairless one), will settle down to a quick cuddle and gentle head rubs. They are an estimated to be 6-7 months old.
To inquire about adopting Mathias and Murmur, please fill out an application form.
Meet funny, curious, friendly boys Clyde and TJ.
These boys are an estimated 4-6 months old and still have plenty of growing left to do. The boys are typical fun-loving, excitable, super active boys who will take every opportunity to explore, run around and sniff things. They are very fond of people and have no problems at all being picked up or handled. However, they would definitely prefer to run around and climb instead of just being held all the time. They have way too much energy to just be cuddled!
Clyde was originally a pet store rat who was purchased, passed around to various roommates, until they finally decided that they didn’t want him anymore. He was going to be dumped outside, but thankfully, we were able to talk them out of that horrible idea and instead, he was surrendered to the Rescue. Not surprisingly, Clyde was terrified and bit his well-meaning foster mom. We had this poor boy neutered hoping it would calm him down, and that certainly did the trick! Clyde is now a sweety who wouldn’t hurt anyone and would much rather lick yummy baby food off your fingers.
TJ was rescued by a well-meaning couple who didn’t realize at first that he was a boy! 17 babies later, they reached out to the Rescue for help. We noticed that TJ was almost identical in age to Clyde, and so decided to pair the two together. They are now inseparable and love to cuddle and play together.
Please note that the adoption fee for Clyde and TJ (as a bonded pair) is $100.
To inquire about these two lovely boys, please fill out an adoption application form.
Sweet, scared brothers Noel & Skippy were originally transferred to the Rat Rescue from the Toronto SPCA where they were at risk of being euthanized. Having been at the SPCA for months, many visitors had gotten bitten or nipped very hard by these two brothers (we now suspect it was mostly Skippy!) which immediately made them almost impossible to adopt out.
After being with their foster mom for the last 2.5 months, they have made lots of progress. No longer as scared, they are now also much less nippy.
These two boys were about to go up for adoption, and almost immediately one of our most experienced rat-parents and repeat adopters expressed interest in giving them a forever home. Yay!
Sweet, adorable brothers, Shylock and Tolbot are only 8 months old and still have so much growing to do, and so much love to give.
These brothers are extremely curious and so full of energy. They may not want to cuddle now, but once they have grown up and learned to love their new family, they will hopefully become sweet squishy boys. For now, they would much rather run around, explore, and spend as much time out of their cage as possible.
Shylock and Tolbot are looking for a home that can give them lots of attention, and lots of opportunity to explore outside their cage. Because of how active they are, they absolutely need a cage that is at least 30″ x 20″ base.
If you think you have a home that would be perfect for this dynamic duo, please fill out an adoption application form.
Meet this lovely trio of sisters who are an estimated 5-6 months old.
Rizzo, Sia & Addy are absolutely inseparable and will likely entertain you for hours with their funny little antics and super sweet personalities. All three girls are very curious, lively, and would fit right in with any family who can give them lots of room to run, toys to play with and destroy, and plenty of soft beds to cuddle in.
They still have lots of growing to do and if you think you have the space in your heart and home to give them a forever home, please fill out an adoption application form.
Simon and Wilson are so closely bonded you will almost never see them apart. They love to explore and sniff things, then spend their nights and days cuddling together. Simon is definitely the more outgoing of the two, as he just can’t wait to be picked up and allowed out to play. But he’s always great at recognizing his name, and comes running the moment you call for him. Wilson on the other hand, is much more reserved. He’s still a little nervous about being picked up.
Both boys have now been neutered to correct some hormone-related behavioral issues, and have since become sweet little angels. Due to Wilson’s nervousness, they are still best going to a home without young children.
Please note, their adoption fee is $100.
To inquire about adopting this bonded pair, please fill out an adoption application form.
Meet brothers Ben & Sailor. We know for sure that they were born some time in June of 2016 making them almost exactly 1 year old at the moment. Originally dumped in a box at the SPCA in Gatineau, these boys had been adopted into a forever home. Unfortunately, due to their human’s increasingly busy schedule, they could not longer be given the love and attention they deserved.
Ben and Sailor are now back at the Rescue and once again looking for a place to call their own.
Due to a period of neglect, both boys are a little bit shy and can be very hesitant when being approached to be picked up. Also, they are no longer litter trained. Their foster mom is working diligently to help improve both their trust in people and teach them to start using their litter box again.
Due to some bullying that was going on, Sailor was also recently neutered so that he would stop being mean to his brother Ben. They now get along fabulously, and Sailor has learned to be a bit nicer. Ben is incredibly sweet once you gain his confidence. He’s excited to see you, and while still a little unsure about being picked up, you can tell he absolutely loves the attention and chance to interact.
To inquire about adopting Sailor and Ben, sweet boys who need a THIRD chance, please fill out an adoption application form. Please note, their adoption fee is $100.
Meet sweet, curious brothers Stevie and Walter! These two are inseparable despite their different personalities. But that is also part of their charm! While Stevie loves people and is always happy to be picked up, to smell your hands and just chill out on your shoulders or in your hoodie (his favourite thing), Walter likes to be more independent and is definitely more of an adventurer.
These boys are estimated to be 8-10 months old and are definitely ready to find a forever home to call their own.
If you are interested in adopting Stevie and Walter, please complete an Adoption Application form.
Meet sweet, gorgeous boy Clive! He is estimated to be 7-10 months old, and has the energy level of a much younger rat!
Clive may first appear as a little bit shy or timid, but he warms up to new people who are willing to give him a day or two to settle in. Once he’s comfortable in his new home, he is always at the front of the cage, always peeking his head out to see if you’re coming to visit, and always crawling all over you when he’s out and about. Clive will even settle in for the occasional cuddle as he seems to really enjoy having his head rubbed. You will be shocked by how beautiful and rich his coat is!
Clive must be adopted with any of the other female pairs/trios currently listed on our website OR into a family that already has a colony of female rats.
To inquire about adopting Clive, please complete an online adoption application form.
Please note, his adoption fee is $100.
Teeth came to the rescue with his brother Rudy, absolutely terrified, unsocialized and quick to bite. It has taken him about 2 and a half months, a neuter, and lots of patience and love to slowly but steadily turn his life and bahaviour around.
But boy oh boy, have things changed! As you can see from the pictures, Teeth is now a sweet, cuddly boys who wants nothing more than good food, a clean cage, and lots of places for him to run around and explore. He can still be a tiny bit nervous when being picked up, but unlike before, he stays still and readies himself to be lifted. Once he’s out, he’s full of curiosity and will even settle down for the occasional cuddle.
Teeth has been meeting the lady rats at his foster home, and we can say with 100% certainty that he will get along beautifully with female rats. Of course, proper step-by-step introductions still need to be followed.
Teeth is available for adoption into a home with an existing female rat colony, or with any of the other female rats currently available on our website.
Please note, Teeth’s adoption fee is $100.
Please complete an adoption application form to inquire about adopting Teeth.
Meet sweet brothers Miguel and Ricardo.
They are estimated to be about 8 months old, and are active little boys who are looking for a home who allow them to explore and play to their heart’s content!
Miguel has eyes that are slightly further apart, but otherwise, these brothers are identical. They love to sleep long hours, and then play fight and explore like crazy while they are awake. They are friendly and don’t mind being handled at all. You won’t find a more fun-loving pair!
If you think Miguel and Ricardo are the right fit for you and your family, please complete an adoption application form.
Meet rambunctious and active sisters Peppa & Salt.
These fun-loving girls are an estimated 4-5 months old and still have a ton of growing and learning to do. They were surrendered to the SPCA as their previous home says they didn’t have enough time for them. These girls are extremely curious, friendly, and are just a little unsure about being picked up.
Once they are out though, it’s all about fun and games. They will crawl all over you and aren’t shy at all!
If you think you have the time and energy to keep up with these two spunky sisters, please fill out an adoption application form.
Meet sweet sisters Jojo and Blossom. They were surrendered along with their other two sisters, Buttercup and Bubbles at the SPCA Gatineau. These girls are an estimated 1 year to 1.5 years old. Unfortunately we have very little information about them, other than the fact that Jojo showed up at the shelter very very pregnant.
After successfully raising all 15 of her babies (yup, she was a trooper), Jojo has rejoined her sisters and is now looking for a forever home.
Jojo must be adopted with Blossom, but she would also like to stay with some of her other family members, so she can also be adopted with Buttercup & Bubbles and any of the Baby “Hippos”.
To inquire about adopting any of these girls, please complete an adoption application form.
As of April 17, 2017: medical hold due to Blossom’s respiratory infection.
As of April 20, 2017: Blossom is on antibiotics to treat her respiratory infection. Potential Adopters must feel comfortable treating and medicating a rat with ongoing respiratory infection.
As of May 29, 2017: Blossom has finished her round of antibiotics and now has no symptoms!
Meet our baby hippos!
These 7 adorable babies are estimated to have been born March 10, 2017 and March 6th, 2017. Either way, they get along fabulously and for all they know, they are sisters!
All the albino babies are extremely friendly and outgoing, while there are 2 agouti/brown girls who are a little more nervous and will need someone with patience and a calm presence to continue socializing them throughout their lives.
These girls are looking for homes preferably in groups of 2 or 3. But honestly, the more the merrier, as they seem to gain courage from each other and do best when in a big family.
Squeak (albino) – ADOPTED!
Lil’ Tip (agouti) – ADOPTED!
Tip (agouti) – available – Tip is hyper, startles easily, but once you get to know her, she’s a hoot and a super super licky rat why will cover your hands with kisses!
Two (agouti) – available – the bravest agouti girl around. When it’s time to come out, she climbs right into your hands. And when it’s time to go home, she does the same thing! Also startles easily, but so brave and outgoing when she feels safe.
Stripe (agouti) – available – the second bravest agouti girl. She’s sort of a mix between Two and Tip. Not quite as licky as Tip, but a little braver.
Eep (albino) – a total sweetheart. She is a human rat through and through. There’s nothing she likes more than playing with people and climbing you. She’s also the boss lady and is often found keeping the other girls toeing the line.
If you are interesting in giving a home to these sweet babies, please complete an adoption application form.
Sweet, nervous Rudy was surrendered at 7 months of age with his equally terrified brother. Both boys had been purchased as babies from a pet store, but due to lack of socialization, and what looks like simple lack of knowledge about rats, their previous human grew to fear them. They had not been handled for months when they arrived at the Rescue.
We were told that both boys would lunge and bite at every opportunity and that they had been separated as babies due to fighting and biting as well. Regardless of what really happened, it was clear that both were traumatized, likely hormonal and needed some serious TLC.
After just a month of persistent socialization and a neuter, Rudy is now a total sweetheart. He is very gentle when taking food from your hand and is always excited to greet you at the door of his cage. If you catch him in the right mood, he also enjoys firm strokes along the top of his head.
For now, Rudy is still a little bit nervous about being picked up. However, once he gets to know you a bit, he allows himself to be scooped up without too much complaint. He is also still very mouthy and likes to test everything with a nibble. This is VERY common with baby rats and is a normal part of their learning process. We suspect that Rudy never had this chance, which is why he is doing it now. It is slightly more nerve-racking as he is an adult rat with adult teeth, but as long as you stay calm, don’t move your hand above him suddenly, and clearly communicate with squeaks when you have had enough, he immediately listens and will either lick you, or back off completely.
For now, Rudy would prefer an experienced home with at least 2 female rats that he can join and cuddle with.
If you think you can offer Rudy a second chance at life, please contact us, or complete an adoption application form.
Sweet, slightly chubby Lemmy & Jethro were surrendered to the rescue soon after their second birthday. Their previous human ran into financial difficulties, and unable to even pay the surrender fee required by the Humane Society, turned to the Ottawa Pet Rat Rescue, hoping that we could take them in.
Both boys were clearly well-loved and despite having a tiny, empty cage, they are extremely social and even love to give kisses.
They will likely live out the rest of their lives with our permanent foster along with several other senior rats just looking for a place to call home.
If you would like to help us care for Lemmy & Jethro, please visit our Donation page. Every dollar we receive is used to help us rescue, foster, rehabilitate and care for the rats at the Rescue.
Meet 4 month old sisters, Charlotte & Caramel. In their few months of life, they have already been passed from home to home, until they were eventually taken in by a kind veterinary technician who thought she could give them a forever home. Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, things just weren’t working out, and so she decided to surrender them to the Ottawa Pet Rat Rescue.
Despite their rather rocky start to life, Charlotte & Caramel couldn’t be more friendly! They love to explore, they are very social, and they have no qualms at all about new people, new smells, and new things to explore!
Their foster mom is having a blast playing with them every night. They are not hand-shy at all and in fact will use every opportunity to climb on you if it means they can go off and explore.
It cannot be seen in the photo, but Charlotte is missing about 2/3 of her tail. The person who surrendered her has no idea what happened, but other than making her look a little silly, she couldn’t care less! With her tiny stub of a tail held high, Charlotte climbs, runs and explores just like any other baby rat. As she gets older, the lack of a tail may begin to affect her balance and mobility and could make her more sensitive to heat. She otherwise is perfectly healthy.
To adopt these bonded sisters, please complete and adoption application form.
These sisters are estimated to be about 1.5 years old. They were unfortunately dropped off at the SPCA in Gatineau as unwanted rats with very little information about where they came from and what their previous living conditions were like.
Thankfully, regardless of their past, these two girls are friendly, curious and with just a little bit of socialization will definitely become absolute sweethearts.
With their super soft fur, big dumbo ears and curious personalities, Buttercup & Bubbles would make wonderful family companions.
All they need is a loving home, and someone who is willing to be devoted to them for the rest of their adult years! Adoption fee for Bubbles & Blossom is $100 (please see medical history below).
Please note, they can also be adopted with their sisters Buttercup & Jojo.
Update as of April 17th: medical hold due to mammary tumors on Blossom. Surgery is scheduled for April 19, 2017
Update as of April 19th: Blossom’s surgery went smoothly and both her tumors were removed successfully!
Update as of May 29, 2017: Bubbles showing symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Currently being treated with antibiotics.
Update as of June 22, 2017: Bubbles was taken to Dr. Brieger in Montreal for surgery. UTI did not respond to antibiotics. Surgery revealed she actually had a uterine horn aneurysm. Bubbles was thus fully spayed and is now recovered and looking for a forever home with her sister!
Jude & Eddie are both estimated to be 4-6 months old. These boys were purchased by a student, passed on to a classmate, then surrendered to the rescue when that classmate could no longer care for them. In their still young lives, they have been through so many changes and have yet to find a loving home.
Unfortunately in their previous home, they were confined to a fairly small cage and this resulted in Jude being extremely dominant with Eddie and also slightly cage aggressive. However, now that they have been moved and given plenty of sleeping, hiding and playing areas, Jude’s bullying has calmed down and he is no longer nipping at fingers at all! These boys are constantly cuddling and Eddie is now more than happy to submit to the occasional head grooming.
Of the two boys, Jude is much braver and much more curious about human interaction. Eddie is nervous and will need much more socialization before he feels comfortable approaching people on his own. Both boys need some consistency, patience and love in their lives.
If you are looking to give these lovely boys a forever home to call their own, please complete an adoption application form.
