Where should I post information about rats in need of a home (NYC)?
March 29, 2019 11:44 AM Subscribe
I am looking for a place to advertise to help find a new home for my pet rat's three baby girls. They are six-month-old hooded fancy rats. How do I find new companion humans for them? Where should I post? I'm in Brooklyn, NYC.
Craigslist, Yahoo group, Reddit sub, GooseMoose, Facebook groups
posted by Sophont at 1:38 PM on March 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Sophont at 1:38 PM on March 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ask for an adoption fee that includes spaying/neutering (make sure that's done) and a bit extra on top.
Anyone looking for free animals is not to be trusted.
posted by East14thTaco at 2:20 PM on March 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Anyone looking for free animals is not to be trusted.
posted by East14thTaco at 2:20 PM on March 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Ahh, best of luck! They are so cute. I also had a rat named Cream!
I would avoid Craigslist and go through the vet. You might also contact animal rescues and adoption groups in the area—I got a pair of rats from Empty Cages in Brooklyn when I lived in NYC.
posted by caitcadieux at 2:27 PM on March 29, 2019
I would avoid Craigslist and go through the vet. You might also contact animal rescues and adoption groups in the area—I got a pair of rats from Empty Cages in Brooklyn when I lived in NYC.
posted by caitcadieux at 2:27 PM on March 29, 2019
There are a handful of forums for rat enthusiasts that have adoption areas, those are always a good bet. The benefit of posting to an enthusiast forum is that you know most people reading will already understand the basics of rat care and have a certain amount of empathy for rats. Back when I was a frequenter of rat forums, Goosemoose was the standard, though it looks like it’s a little quieter now.
I would strongly caution against Craigslist, many people troll Craigslist looking for adoptable rats specifically with an intention of harming them. Regardless of where you end up posting, an adoption fee is a good idea, even just $15 or $20 will make your rats less appealing to malicious people. On preview, yes definitely get them spayed if possible.
Another option is getting in touch with a rat-specific non-profit or rescue, some might be willing help you screen applicants or assist you with finding your rats good homes.
posted by suri at 3:37 PM on March 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
I would strongly caution against Craigslist, many people troll Craigslist looking for adoptable rats specifically with an intention of harming them. Regardless of where you end up posting, an adoption fee is a good idea, even just $15 or $20 will make your rats less appealing to malicious people. On preview, yes definitely get them spayed if possible.
Another option is getting in touch with a rat-specific non-profit or rescue, some might be willing help you screen applicants or assist you with finding your rats good homes.
posted by suri at 3:37 PM on March 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: What is the reasoning behind getting the.soayed? Especially if the person adopting them only has female rats. Isn’t getting rats spayed like a couple hundred dollars.
posted by andoatnp at 7:26 PM on March 29, 2019
posted by andoatnp at 7:26 PM on March 29, 2019
https://nextdoor.com/find-neighborhood/
I have seen people in my NYC neighborhood finding homes for pets on this site.
posted by eusebis_w_adorno at 9:28 PM on March 29, 2019
I have seen people in my NYC neighborhood finding homes for pets on this site.
posted by eusebis_w_adorno at 9:28 PM on March 29, 2019
Female rats have a high rate of breast cancer and tumors. Spaying significantly minimizes this risk.
posted by Violet Hour at 9:55 PM on March 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Violet Hour at 9:55 PM on March 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Can I gently suggest taking some different photos of them? Even if you get a piece of white paper on a table and put them on that and try and get a few close ups and make them look like pet portraits? Rats near a rubbish bin doesn’t have great connotations for a lot of people and you want to promote them as pets, not imply that they’re vermin. I realise it’s hard to take moving photos of animals but I think a few good clean shots would really help sell them and give them some personality. Good luck!
posted by Jubey at 3:50 AM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Jubey at 3:50 AM on March 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Does the person adopting them only have female rats? Do you know this person well enough to take them at their word?
Because there is a market for baby rats in the same way there's a market for baby dogs and there are also rat mills in the same way there are puppy mills. To say not hi g of the fact they rats are food animals and some people are willing to save a buck by shopping under the table for their snake (Nothing against snake owners! The vast majority of you ethically source your pet's food and the food chain is a reality for us all). If the rats are spayed they become unattractive to the very charming people who will ensure the animals get a good home and then...
posted by East14thTaco at 11:09 AM on April 2, 2019
Because there is a market for baby rats in the same way there's a market for baby dogs and there are also rat mills in the same way there are puppy mills. To say not hi g of the fact they rats are food animals and some people are willing to save a buck by shopping under the table for their snake (Nothing against snake owners! The vast majority of you ethically source your pet's food and the food chain is a reality for us all). If the rats are spayed they become unattractive to the very charming people who will ensure the animals get a good home and then...
posted by East14thTaco at 11:09 AM on April 2, 2019
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posted by SaltySalticid at 1:25 PM on March 29, 2019 [1 favorite]