evantide
Well-Known Member
I work at a local family-owned pet supply store (supplies only, we support animal rescues), and today a woman came into the store with a male fancy rat. She said she had found him a week ago abandoned in a Lowe's parking lot with another rat. According to the woman, they were each in their own little clear-plastic critter carriers (like these). She said she had called a vet and taken them home. She said the white rat died, and she thinks it was due to wet tail. I didn't even think rats could get wet tail (I've only heard of this in hamsters and I've had hamsters all my life and never had a wet tail problem). I don't think the rat died of wet tail, but then again, I never saw the white one. Anyway, the black one she brought into the store, she was trying to "find a home for." He's sneezing so I don't think he's well. Whatever the white rat might have had, he could have as well. I am going to schedule a vet appointment in the morning to have him looked at. I told her I would take the rat. She gave him to me and said she just wanted him to go to a loving home and not become snake food. I am going to have him looked at on Tuesday or Thursday and hopefully find out that's it's nothing too serious. For all I know, it could be pneumonia or just a respiratory infection. I will know in a few days!
Ironically enough I have a single-level Critter Nation on order at my work. It's for a hedgehog that I have been planning to adopt (I am on the waiting list of a breeder about four hours from where I live for a hedgie). The CN will need modifications to make it safe for a hedgehog, but if this rat is able to survive, he might be living in it instead and I'll just have to wait on the hedgehog. Right now I have the rat in a rabbit/guinea pig cage. He has all new bedding, new food (I have Oxbow Regal Rat being shipped, but right now he has been eating a Kaytee diet which I don't even feed to my hamsters).
The rat is very friendly, alert, and curious. He's black with a white patch on his tummy, and a little white front paw. He seems to have a nice temperament, but if he's not feeling well, that could also be why... He definitely had to have been someone's pet. I can't understand how people just throw their pets out in a parking lot like that... I have found all kinds of animals, from hamsters, gerbils, and mice, to healthy bearded dragons with fully equipped setup and all (which isn't cheap). It's just a shame... I can't believe I took this little rat home, though! But I wanted to make sure he gets the help he needs and from the sound of it, the woman who had brought him to my store didn't want to be burdened with vet expenses (she might not have been able to afford it). I think he might be a young adult, but I'm not an expert with rats and I can't tell. I'm sure the vet will have some kind of idea.
Anyway I came here to the Rat Shack because a couple of years ago I had been researching rats and wanted to get a few males as pets. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I was not able to have rats. I'm able to keep this male if things look up for him, and if I choose to keep him (as opposed to adopt him out to an experienced/loving family), I would consider getting him a new companion. However, this won't be until he is in good health and my CN arrives... I will keep you guys posted as to what happens to this sweet guy! Any words of advice are much appreciated.
A Little About Myself
My name is Samantha. You're welcome to call me Sam or Evan for short. I am twenty-one years old. I live in Hampton Roads, Virginia. I have owned dwarf Russian hamsters, Syrian hamsters, Mongolian gerbils... I have fostered ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and bearded dragons short-term. At this moment, I currently have a nearly two-year old female Australian Cattle Dog, a male fancy Russian dwarf hamster, and now this fancy rat. All are rescues. I am a full-time college student, and currently part-time employee at a family-owned pet supply store. I am a photographer, and aim to have my own portrait studio someday, as well as provide wedding photography, pet photography, and other photography services. I am engaged to my first crush. He is ADDA certified in Drafting and Design and works for a company whose main expertise is in fuel injection system integrations for recreational vehicles and non-automotive applications. I love animals and wish to learn everything about them so that I can educate the public and help to increase the quality of life of pets - this is why I chose to work at a pet supply store. Many people come into my store and ask, "Do you sell animals?" I have the opportunity to explain why we do not sell animals, and why it is important to rescue or find a reputable breeder.
Ironically enough I have a single-level Critter Nation on order at my work. It's for a hedgehog that I have been planning to adopt (I am on the waiting list of a breeder about four hours from where I live for a hedgie). The CN will need modifications to make it safe for a hedgehog, but if this rat is able to survive, he might be living in it instead and I'll just have to wait on the hedgehog. Right now I have the rat in a rabbit/guinea pig cage. He has all new bedding, new food (I have Oxbow Regal Rat being shipped, but right now he has been eating a Kaytee diet which I don't even feed to my hamsters).
The rat is very friendly, alert, and curious. He's black with a white patch on his tummy, and a little white front paw. He seems to have a nice temperament, but if he's not feeling well, that could also be why... He definitely had to have been someone's pet. I can't understand how people just throw their pets out in a parking lot like that... I have found all kinds of animals, from hamsters, gerbils, and mice, to healthy bearded dragons with fully equipped setup and all (which isn't cheap). It's just a shame... I can't believe I took this little rat home, though! But I wanted to make sure he gets the help he needs and from the sound of it, the woman who had brought him to my store didn't want to be burdened with vet expenses (she might not have been able to afford it). I think he might be a young adult, but I'm not an expert with rats and I can't tell. I'm sure the vet will have some kind of idea.
Anyway I came here to the Rat Shack because a couple of years ago I had been researching rats and wanted to get a few males as pets. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I was not able to have rats. I'm able to keep this male if things look up for him, and if I choose to keep him (as opposed to adopt him out to an experienced/loving family), I would consider getting him a new companion. However, this won't be until he is in good health and my CN arrives... I will keep you guys posted as to what happens to this sweet guy! Any words of advice are much appreciated.
A Little About Myself
My name is Samantha. You're welcome to call me Sam or Evan for short. I am twenty-one years old. I live in Hampton Roads, Virginia. I have owned dwarf Russian hamsters, Syrian hamsters, Mongolian gerbils... I have fostered ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and bearded dragons short-term. At this moment, I currently have a nearly two-year old female Australian Cattle Dog, a male fancy Russian dwarf hamster, and now this fancy rat. All are rescues. I am a full-time college student, and currently part-time employee at a family-owned pet supply store. I am a photographer, and aim to have my own portrait studio someday, as well as provide wedding photography, pet photography, and other photography services. I am engaged to my first crush. He is ADDA certified in Drafting and Design and works for a company whose main expertise is in fuel injection system integrations for recreational vehicles and non-automotive applications. I love animals and wish to learn everything about them so that I can educate the public and help to increase the quality of life of pets - this is why I chose to work at a pet supply store. Many people come into my store and ask, "Do you sell animals?" I have the opportunity to explain why we do not sell animals, and why it is important to rescue or find a reputable breeder.
I'd wait until he's better too. 
