RRH is taking a 12-month break and as a result we cannot take on any animals as we have done historically!
We encourage you to reach out the RRH Community via the Hub (Facebook), the Animal Welfare League of Queensland, the RSPCA and the Queensland Rodent Fanciers Association for options and support if you are finding yourself in a difficult situation with your pet ratties.
We understand that there are many reasons people may need to surrender, and there is no 'type' of person who surrenders. We have a culture of non-judgement here, our goal is to support your rats and yourself with transparency, compassion and understanding.
The process is:
Submit the surrender form below
Our team will contact via email to arrange an appointment at the rescue
Attend your surrender appointment and help our volunteers to fill in as much info as possible
If you would like updates, you are welcome to email in and ask at any time
Our goal from that point is to care for the rats, hopefully they will at soeme point be healthy and happy enough to be adopted, otherwise they will remain with us.
The more information we have, and the more open and accurate it is, the easier and better care we'll be able to provide from the start, especially for rats with medical needs. Remember, we aren’t judging, so if you have to tell us they haven't had vet care, or that they've been outside or living in a mouse cage, or they have mites/lice/respiratory illness, aggression - PLEASE tell us. If we don’t know what is happening for your rat, we might put them in a big colony and stress them out, or a volunteer might not know not to put thier hand in the hammock and get bitten, or we might not discover a medical issue until it's too late. The more we know the best we can support your rats in their transition and keep our other residents and volunteers safe.
The only times we have refused a surrender is in situations where our involvement would have enabled further animal welfare problems. For example, a pet store buying stock from a backyard breeder and asking to offload the sick rats as they pop up.
If you would like to rehome your rat yourself, you are more than welcome to copy our adoption questionnaire to help you make sure they are going to a good home. We advise screening carefully to avoid people looking for free rats for live snake food.
Rehoming Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that rehoming your pet can be emotional and difficult decision. We know that sometimes despite someone's best intentions and effort they will still need to surrender their beloved pets. Here are our most commonly asked questions around surrendering. Please know that we are not here to judge you, we want to work with you to achieve the best outcome for everyone.
Q: I am worried about sounding ‘silly’ or like a ‘bad owner’ in answering your application questions?
A: Just tell us honestly as much as you can, it makes it much easier to ensure the rats get the care they need, are less stressed, and that our volunteers and other rats stay safe. We don’t shame people and we understand that the vast majority of surrenders are loving owners whose lives have taken unexpected directions.
Q: What types of animals can you care for at the rescue?
A: The rescue is equipped to care for all domestic rats including pregnant females, orphaned babies, behavioural cases and minor to severe medical cases. We don’t take wild rats, even when hand reared. If you need to surrender your rat due to them being sick or injured, please contact us and we will take them without judgement.
Q: What does it cost to Surrender to the rescue?
A: There is no fee to surrender, but donations do help us keep the lights on and the rats cared for which is essential to our continued capacity to provide this community service. If you have the capacity to donate - money is the most valuable however we also appreciate unopened rodent specific food, substrate (kiln dried, dust extracted pine shavings and recycled kitty litter), rust free rat safe cages and clean enrichment, toys and equipment.
Q: What happens once my rats arrive at the rescue?
A: Once at the rescue, each rat is assessed and provided with any medical, social, nutritional and behavioural care they require either onsite or through a foster carer. We always seek to rehome ratties as a family environment is better than the shelter environment. However any rats unsuitable for rehoming are cared for as permanent residents and live out their lives at the rescue’s main premises.
Q: Do you euthanise (put to sleep) rats in your care?
A: Rachie’s Ratirement Home takes a very strict approach to euthanasia of residents. We will never euthanize a rat due to capacity issues or because they cannot be rehomed. We do however, reserve the right to provide humane euthanasia to rats who require it for medical or extreme behavioural reasons where there are no feasible treatment or care alternative which would enable a good quality of life.
Q: I am thinking of surrendering because I have a holiday coming up and no care options?
A: If you are thinking about surrendering your rats because you're going away for an extended period please consider boarding them instead. We do not board animals directly but do recommend Connie’s Rat Sitting Service - Connie's Rat-Sitting Service | Facebook as an excellent boarding option for your rats. You can also contact Connie’s Rat-Sitting Service via email at Connies.boarding.service@gmail.com.
If you need support with surrendering, please complete the application form and we will assist you to the best of our ability.
If you have any further questions about surrendering, please feel free to contact us and we will get back to you within 48 hours.