Meet Art and Pennywise. These two pretty, sweet, gentle, and calm little girls were surrendered to me yesterday, Saturday, January 25. Unfortunately, their former owner has experienced a change in life circumstances and can no longer care for them. While I do not operate as a rescue, I made a special exception in their case.
Art and Pennywise were purchased from Paulmac Pets in Simcoe, Ontario back in August 2025. I would estimate their age to be approximately 7-9 months. This estimate may be just slightly generous, as occasionally pet rats in pet stores are sold as young as 6 weeks of age. They appear in good general health. They're bright-eyed and alert, curious and calm. They seem comfortable in their quarantine cage and with each other. I do not practice interspecies interaction; however they are comfortable and unafraid in the presence of cats.
They do not bite.
Their coats and skin appear to be in excellent condition, and they're very clean. They enjoy the little toy balls I've placed in the cage for play.
They were fed Versele Laga Rat mix previously. I am transitioning them over to Teklad Global Rat Diet in combination with fresh food.
I have treated them preventatively for internal and external parasites.
Art and Pennywise demonstrate they have been well socialized, and are fairly accustomed to gentle handling. They most enjoy being cuddled inside my shirt or the hood of my sweater so far when they are out.
Pending a full quarantine of no less than 4-8 weeks, Art and Penny will be seeking a pet-only home with other female rats.
It is not my practice to operate as a rescue. Being a closed rattery means restricting the intake of new rats to known sources, for the safety and well-being of the pets and humans in the home. Some pathogens are capable of causing a complete wipeout of my entire rat population, and others can make them extremely sick.
After consideration of the circumstances, the background of the rats, and how they came to ask for my help, I have made a one-time-only exception, and will not be accepting rescue rats going forward.
Art and Penny will be available to adopt for a reduced fee of $15 each, to an approved pet home sometime between February 21 to March 21.
If you're interested in adopting them, please complete my Pet Application, and I'll be in contact with you if your application is approved.
You can find the application here.
