Found rats, I suspect abandoned pets

[Vanessa]

Oh, I am very eager to find out what happens.  Best of luck to you! 
Like others have said, they couldn't have found a better back yard to take up residence in!

[ShadowDancer60]

I hope that the wound is from a bite... and not froma BB or pellet. Good luck catching him.

[Adventure Rats]

Oh good luck. He is in need of medical care right away. Here's an old thread about a young rat who was outside. He had a cutrebra inside of him.  A cutrebra in larvae from a fly that borrows itself into the skin until it matured into a fly. I do think that's a good possibility too.

[KoalaLou2]

I'm sure if help with medical care is needed we could set up some sort of donation thing here on the forum.  I know I would gladly give what little I have to help these poor bubs after this traumatic experience to ensure they are healthy 
Good luck catching the boy.  We're all thinking of you to be sure.

[jorats]

I'm heading to Ottawa on August 19th until August 22nd. I can pick him up and eventually work out a way to bring him to Vanessa's... if he's caught by then. 

[lisa.j.31]

Good Luck!  Those poor babies, why would someone just let them go, actually how could they just let them go. Anyway I am so glad you have opened your heart to them. Thank you!!! The world needs more people like you!

[Adventure Rats]

Is there any update for us yet? I'm thinking of that little boy   

[ckhs]

Update please.

[BaraLahatiel]

I'm not entirely sure that he's a pet rat. He has the grey belly common in wild rats. His face says pet though. o.0 Maybe he is a hybrid. It is hard to tell. But with a wound like that you should definately catch him. Be careful when you've got him though. I wonder how tame he is. As tame as her I hope. Poor fella.

We're rooting for you and the success of your trap

[lilspaz68]

I "spoke" to balego yesterday and she has a busy weekend planned, she has a houseguest and an extra dog there, but she was careful to let me know that the dogs only go out on the leash and the rat can't get hurt.  Her and her husband have lived there for years and not once ever seen a rat until the agouti hooded girl and the agouti boy showed up.  We directed her to rathelp.org and she was able to read up on the differences on shape/placement of ears and movement of wild vs domesticated.  He is domestic, she is sure of that.
She is going to continue to try to trap him, but over the weekend it will be not as often she'll be able to get out there.  This woman spent the entire day on Friday out in her yard waiting for him to show back up.  Unfortunately there is some major construction going on (backhoes, etc) and that scares him off.  She most likely won't be able to give us an update until Monday, so don't stress people.  She also has my phone # if she needs help/advice.
She has put out lab blocks for him to eat, theres a pond to drink from and tall cedar trees for shade, so for a abandoned rat he is doing okay.
If I hear anything I will post to allay everyone's worries.   

[Adventure Rats]

Thanks for the update lilspaz!

[balego]

Yes, Shelagh has it right, thanks for updating the members for me.

I am busy this weekend but I want everyone to know I am watching out for the male as much as I can. We do use our yard, even with visitors around, so I am around to keep my eye open. Since the backhoe started working almost directly behind us yesterday morning, I havent seen the rat reappear. He could have moved further along where no construction is so close.. there is loads of shelter that way, as it is a field of wildflowers, many trees, and also other yards where he possibly found a food source. I did see that the lab blocks I left out for him last night were gone this morning, but I cant be sure it wasnt another animal that ate them. We had just been sitting out on the deck most of the afternoon, with no sign of him, but had to come in because it started to rain. I'm up here only for a few minutes.. I picked up a water bottle for the girl and I want to be sure she knows how to use it. She's eating right now so she should go for her water soon as she's done her meal.

Yes, the dogs here are always leashed and we have our deck gated off, no way they could get to the rat. I cannot guarantee his safety in other yards, though, as many neighbours have dogs, and there are cats around occassionally. Meanwhile, I keep waiting and hoping. I'm was feeling a bit overwhelmed yesterday, not only from the frustration of wanting to catch him but from the support I'm finding here, from so many people who care. Its hard to put into words all the thoughts I've had while sitting outside, waiting for our male to finally come to safety, but in reading all your responses and offers of support is truly heartwarming and I admit my eyes misted up. I've heard of this kind of thing happening before, where complete strangers from across the country rally together to help an animal in distress, but to be a first hand recipient of such caring and compassion is nothing short of mindboggling, and I cannot tell you how touched and how pleased I am. It reinforces my belief in human-kind, and so encouraging to know there really are people out there who DO give a rats' #ss about what most people would look at as a throw-away pet. Thankyou all SO much!

[mandycoot]

What you are doing for these little guys is amazing. Thank you for being such a caring individual!

[jvc]

That is so fantastic that you're helping the little rattie. It's so nice to hear about the good people in this world.

[Topaz]

What you are doing for these little guys is amazing. Thank you for being such a caring individual!

I second that!

[Poisonetta]

Oh. Gee. My heart goes out to you! You have done more than most rat OWNER's could probably fine time and dedication to do.  I am really hoping you can catch him, and that everyhting works out alright. Hopefully Vanessa will be able to take them. I see that someone has (very generously) already volunteered to transport. When he does eventually get caught, I am in full support of setting up a vet fund to get them both checked out and fixed up. If my spare change can give a rat a good life, I am all for it!


  Good Luck!

-Jessica

[crazyratlady]

I think we may be watching the birth of another rat lover