Scottish SPCA

Oh rats!

The Scottish SPCA is looking for owners for thirty baby rats after five pregnant females arrived into their care at the same time.

We are now brimming with the rodents after all five gave birth at our Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Aberdeenshire.

The huge collection of litters, born at the beginning of July, has been nicknamed 'the ratty nursery' by staff, who are now appealing for loving new homes for the babies and mothers.

Centre Assistant Manager Debbie Innes said, "None of us could believe it when all five adults rats, which came to us from our Edinburgh and Lothians Centre, turned out to be pregnant.

"We quickly went from having hardly any small animals in our care to having over thirty of these lovely youngsters.

"Having so many babies has certainly kept us all busy as they get up to all sorts! Although they are lovely little animals, we are keen to find loving new homes for them soon.

"We've already found new homes for a few of the females but we've not had any interest in the males yet. They're being rehomed in same sex pairs or small groups so we'd like to see some of the little guys off to good homes too.

"Despite common misconceptions about rats, they actually make fantastic pets. They're such friendly little creatures and are ideal for children."

If anyone is interested in rehoming the rats they are invited to call our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 and ask to be put through to the centre.

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