Okay, here's the story.  A few months ago, a customer came into my Petsmart looking for female rats for companions for her single rat at home.  I told her that we didnt sell females, but luckily, I knew someone that had some she was trying to home.  At the time, Bonnie (from here!) was attempting to place the oopsie litter, and she drove all the way up here (four hours!) to drop off two gray female rats for this woman.  The woman seemed very nice, and very knowledgable, so I thought everything was okay.  Boy, was I an idiot.

I ran into her about a month and a half ago, and I asked about the two girls.  She told me that the girls had been too wild for her to handle, so she had given them away to a co-worker of hers.  I was FURIOUS!  What right did she have to give the rats away?!  Argh.  Anyway, I kept my cool.  She was looking at the rats we had, the males, and fell in love with a baby himilayan.  She didn't listen to me and bought him, even though I TOLD her she can't keep a male and a female together without having a ton of babies.  Snarl.

A week later, she returned and told me that the male himilayan she had bought was killed by her ferrets (this IDIOT had left the ferrets out on the floor and the rat out on the couch, and expected them to "get along").  By this time, I was fuming.  But again, I kept cool.

Today, I saw her again.  I tried to avoid her like the plague, because I didn't want to hear anymore of her BS stories, but she asked for me specifically by name, so I had to wait on her.  She told me that she had "rescued" the two females back from her co-worker -- apparently he was feeding them carrots and lettuce only, and the TEN GALLON they were being housed in hadn't been changed in almost three months.  They were malnourished and weak.  So now she has them back, but she says she can't keep them.

I honestly fear for the well-being of these rats.  This woman is obviously a total moron, and can't be trusted to keep these animals safe from her ferrets.  The two girls are pretty young, about five months (Bonnie?), and both of them grey berkshires.  She says that they are very sweet.  

Transport can be arranged, if needed.  I am located in Richmond, VA, and I think the company from RAATS is willing to help on that front.  Any other questions, drop me a PM.

I meant "company" as in, company of people.  

But anyone who could help with transport, or fostering, or even adoption.. that'd be great.  This will be the last time I so eagerly trust Petsmart customers.  

No no, we are working on the 501c. sorry. I thought about coming back to edit that we aren't non profit legally, but then I forgot.

BUT we're working on the 501c.

We are a group of volunteers who rescue and rehome rats, and not for profits.  

   Thanks!


LOL! Isn't that true?!

Just because I am wondering.... what's the status on these rats? Any transport for them yet??

Jeremy says I can't go all the way to Richmond again... as you could understand why. I can go as far as the VA border, but that's it. Unless I go by myself, which he probably wouldn't let me do anyways....

Diana! Have I told you that you are awesome yet?

Lol...

Tizzrah PMed me saying she might of found a good home, but if that falls thru I might be contacting you about some transport!

I'm glad your rats are doing so well!

(Yay for success stories!)

Hey that's very okay with me! But I hope they come with cage- I don't have a spare currently. Well I do, but it's one I only use for travel, and short term quarintine (ie a day or 2)

I can do it this Sunday if you can, Diana!  And I guess Tizzrah has to work so you can get them at her petsmart?

Edit: Jeremy has requested a travel to VA for the following Sunday, since this is such short notice. Unless of course it has the be this weekend.  I know Tizz has to get ahold of that lady first though...

I -will- still have to get ahold of the woman, but if it all works out, then next Sunday would be fine.  I sure hope she gets in touch with me..  

Okay, the woman is dropping off the girls to me tomorrow night, so I will bring them with me on Sunday to be picked up.  Will Diana need directions to my store?  I can PM a phone number to whoever needs it, and they can talk to me...

Sure! Next Sunday then.  If Tizz can put the Petsmart address up, I'll look on mapquest for directions.
What about the cage situation? I can use my travel cage for transport if needed.

I have no clue about a cage.. she said she's bringing them to me in a "sort-of cage," but I have NO idea what that means.   :huh:  I'm going to be putting them in my 20-long until Sunday, so it may be a good idea for someone to bring a travel cage.

Who exactly am I meeting up with?  Diana or Bonnie?  I'm a little confused as to the whole meeting part, but I'm sure we'll figure it out.  

And the address is:  

5515 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230

If you need further directions, PM me!

I'll bring a cage to put them in also, then.  

And Diana-- I'll be bringing my dog this time so you get to meet her!!

Okay, here's an update --

The girls are currently with me.  The woman brought them to me in a five-gallon aquarium with snap-on acrylic top.. it's lucky they didn't suffocate!    Not to mention they could barely turn around.  Grrrrrr.

They're now happily romping in our twenty-long on aspen (they were on cedar) and munching on Suebee's Mix and some cooked pasta.  They're very sweet.. surprising, for the lack of attention they probably got.  And they already have names.. I actually think they're decent names, so I haven't changed them.  They go by Lorelei and Lizzy (not that I can tell them apart, heh).  

I'll be expecting you on Sunday, Diana!  I hope these girls go to a good home.