100 rats available in So Cal (San Pedro) *PIC!*

[Joy_of_Rats]

I need to get over there to take pics! But a member of another Rats forum I'm on went and got a handful. Here's what he had to say:

I did go down to the shelter, and there are tons of them. Probably 8 cages full of all colors and varieties.

They are NOT giving them to snake people, and actually grilled me quite hard about it. I told them that if I was a snake person, I wouldn't have spent an hour in there, checking sexes and testing temperaments. I told them to be weary of anyone who doesn't do this, or just wants "any old one".

I actually gave a lecture of sorts to the officers, who all had little to no experience with them. I told them that it's ok to grab by the base of the tail, and that they don't really have to worry about disease, although since they were running loose in the house, they should be a bit careful.

Some of them had "The Call of the Wild" and are quite mean. One little bastard bit me right through the leather glove they gave me. Most of them are ok though, just scared. I was able to prod around all the cages and pull out two HUGE bucks, and a few little baby girls. If I can get Erika's camera I'll post some pics. There's also bunnies. The guys all stunk of poo, but a bath and three more bites and they're good to go. The babies are wild little nutballs that climb the walls... but they're really young so they should adapt. The big guys are settled too, and will sit in my lap and take scritches.

The adoption fees are only $5 a rat, and they will cut deals to help get them out. Check it out if you're in the area.

I can help with transport if anyone is able to take in any of these poor ratties. I'll try to get over there to get some pics, there's pics on the Shelter website, but it's all the same rat! LOL. http://www.cityofla.org/ANI/adoptapet_har.htm (select "Other" under "Animal preference" and then click "search now")

Link to the AP article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/06/05/state/n204233D83.DTL

Los Angeles animal control officers found an 81-year-old Wilmington woman living with more than 100 rats and 35 other animals she kept as pets, officials said today.

Wanda Langstom was taken to a hospital because her arms were covered with open wounds probably caused by her animals, said Annette Ramirez, an officer with the Department of Animal Services.

Officers also seized the animals, which included about 120 rats, most in cages but some running loose, and 25 rabbits, a dog, six parakeets, a quail and a cockatiel.

"Langstom basically became overwhelmed at how quickly the rats reproduced. She said it just started with two but it got out of hand," Ramirez said. "Hoarding pets is something we see in Los Angeles frequently, so it's not actually that rare a case."

Members of the city's Animal Services Anti-Cruelty Task Force visited Langstom's home in the 1100 block of Laguna Avenue on Monday to investigate "deplorable conditions," as described in a tip from someone who had visited Langstom's home after seeing an ad for a rabbit in a local newspaper earlier that day.

"Once inside, the person saw all the cages and how the situation was bad for both the animals and the resident," Ramirez said.

Most of the animals were healthy, Ramirez said, but two rabbits needed medical attention. A veterinarian was treating all the seized animals, which are available for adoption in San Pedro at the Harbor Animal Care Center. The center's number is (213) 485-8755.

~Joy

[Joy_of_Rats]

Here is a picture of 3 boys that a member of Rats!Rats!Rats! took home from the shelter. They're adorable! Greg said the one in the middle bit him hard twice, once at the shelter and once during his bath when he got home, but since then has become very sweet. The other 2 boys are so gentle and loving, they'll lay on their backs for scritches.



He is going to post pictures of the females he also rescued, stay tuned. 2 of them were pregnant, one had babies today. I wonder how many of the females at the shelter are pregnant or have already had their babies.

[Joy_of_Rats]

Well, the beautiful brown boy on the right side of the above picture passed away. He was sitting on his new owner's shoulder, and he just rolled off, dead. His name was Sandy. So R.I.P. Sandy, you were loved and spoiled for a little while, but not long enough.


I have a couple new pictures to share of rescued girls who had babies. The babies are doing great so far!

This mom bit off the runt's tail, it may have been already dead, or it was an accident while she was cleaning it up. But the tail is healing nicely, and all babies have nice milk tummies!


This mom had such cute babies!! She also adopted the larger capped baby.


So these ratties all have a permanent home with the guy who took them home, but there are alot more available at the shelter! Many Momma rats are pregnant, or have already given birth.

Thanks for looking!
~Joy

[munkeesmama]

How far is san pedro from us. I may be able to take in one of the preggo mamas as a rescue.

[Rats2love4me]

If anyone needs a ride to WA (I dont know if you are willing to have them travel that far) but I am willing to do a long leg, say from roseburg to portland.  Hey if they get up this far I would be willing to grab those beautiful sweet tan girls

[Joy_of_Rats]

From Fullerton? From Fullerton to San Pedro is 32 miles, according to Mapquest. It's where the 110 South ends. I need to get up there to see who's left and take pics. Hopefully tomorrow, if they're open, or Monday I'll go see who's there.

If the shelter's open tomorrow (Saturday) I'll get a couple females, I'm going to Fontana Saturday afternoon/evening, I could stop off in Fullerton if you wanted a preggo girl or 2. I'm making a trip to Fontana again on the 4th of July, in the evening, if you want to wait until then to get prepared.

Email or PM me, we can work things out.