So, we found this little guy (or girl) in our garage a couple of hours ago. My family members want to get rid of it and even put it in a can with no ventilation out in the cold, trying to get rid of it that way. My sister managed to bring it inside, and we’ve hidden it somewhere warm.
I live near Houston, TX, and I have no idea where to get help. The closest shelter I know only takes in rabbits and guinea pigs, but I’ve never seen a rat there. What should I do?
Have you tried the Houston SPCA? They had mice and hamsters when I was there before.
Is there a local Facebook page where you can ask if someone has lost it?
I Googled ‘domestic rat rescue groups in Houston, TX’ and found a couple of hits. There’s also a r/RATS group here on Reddit. Thanks for being compassionate! Rats can be wonderful pets.
If you have a Nextdoor account, post a photo there to see if anyone recognizes it. Domestic rats usually don’t get far if they escape. Check if it’s truly domestic or just friendly—wild rats can sometimes be chill around people.
Contact the shelter that takes guinea pigs and rabbits and explain the situation. They might be able to help. In the meantime, ensure it has ventilation and water.
I just posted on Nextdoor and the rats subreddit. They’re giving me advice on rehoming it!
Why are you assuming it’s a pet rat? It seems pretty inhumane to treat a small animal that way.