Pet rat problems....advice needed, please.?

I currently have a hairless rat named Bobo. He is an awesome little guy but I am very distressed about a couple of things. Next year I am going to be transferring colleges and will no longer be living at home. Obviously, I won't be able to take Bobo with me. The thing is, I know that no one else in my family will want to take care of him, and I really don't want to just abandon him like that. I've been worrying a lot about what I am going to do when that time comes. I will feel terrible giving him up, and I definitely want to make it as easy as possible on him, and be sure that he's being cared for properly. I have thought about asking people on MySpace but I really don't think anyone I am friends with on there will be dying to adopt a hairless rat....





Second, obviously, he doesn't have a cagemate, and I feel terrible about that fact. But with my whole moving situation, I don't know if it's a good idea to get yet another rat that I'll have to abandon. Plus, I am not sure how well it would work out. I read that it's easy to introduce young rats, but I am not sure how old he is...he is a decent size, so I'd say he's probably not too young.





So, please if you have any advice for me, I would appreciate it. I want to give Bobo the best life I possibly can.Pet rat problems....advice needed, please.?
Do NOT have a teacher take it in as a class pet. I've heard way too many stories of kids trying to kill or steal class pets. If I wasn't so busy with school, and if you lived near me I would have loved to foster it. But alas things never go the way we want. :(





If your family doesn't want to take care of him, find a Reputable rat breeder (maybe the one you bought him from?) to take care of him while you're away. Make sure they do NOT sell rats as feeders. And check that their own rats are healthy and clean, otherwise your rat may contract some disease or sickness from them. If there are no breeders in your area, do you have any friends who are staying in the area and can take care of him?


Lastly, the only choice you might have is to post an ad on craigslist. See if anyone is willing to foster your rat while you're away. Remember to make sure they don't have any pets that can harm him, and what would be best is if they actually owned rats themselves so they know exactly how to take care of him and what to do should anything unfortunate happen. I really wish I could help you more, but I have no more ideas.


I wish you the best of luck.Pet rat problems....advice needed, please.?
You might be able to see if a local elementary school teacher is willing to take on a class pet. If you are taking the summer off from collage and coming home you may be able to keep Bobo during the schools summer vacation.
You are very considerate...


I have two rats and I know how you feel.


I suggest giving him to the pet shop or a rat breeder (they do exist!)


If the rat is not to old, they should take him.


All the best.
Don't listen to the poster below, a pet shop usually won't take your rat, and if they do they will breed it. I don't think you want your rat being bred so these idiots can make a few dollars. First off, if your rat is older, he (hate to say it like this) may not be around after that year. Rats have shorts lives. Usually 2 to 3 years. I just had to find a home for my rat, but I went on the internet and found an online rat community with people in my area, I think that would e your best bet. As far as a cage mate, I personally wouldn't get another one.
I live on a campus that does not allow pets and I have 2 pet rats. You just have to hide them. lol. I mean, I would look at the campus and the dorm styles and maybe you could just sneak him in, I've been living on my campus for nearly 2 years and I know so many people that have pet hamsters, rats, etc. People have even sneaked dogs! (I don't know how they manged that but still...) So I would try finding people from the school you'll be going to and asking about if its possible to have a pet in there. I mean, rats are quiet as it is. My resident advisor knows I have 2 pet rats and he just pretends he doesn't know. So I'd just see what it is like there. You never know. I mean, I'm not trying to encourage you to do something that might get you in trouble but the worst a school will do is tell you to get rid of him and then you'll be back in the same situation you are in now. Good luck! Hope all goes well.
I understand how you feel, I'm very loyal to my pets too. They are your commitment as long as they are alive. I have 2 pet rats myself and a dog etc. well, I don't mean to seem morbid, but rats don't live too long 3-5 yrs. max.I don't know what part of the country you live in,but, I would take your rat for you if you still need somebody to at that time, I live in southern CA. Oh, and like others have said don't take him to a pet shop(he may end up snake food) Maybe go to the pet shop or exotic pet vet and ask about any kind of small critter clubs in your area. People in rat clubs love rats and know about their needs and will probably not breed him, just take good care of him. Hope that helps, try not to stress too much.
Try finding a local breeder or small animal rescue to take him in. If that fails, start posting ads on Craigslist.





There's also the option of taking him with you, thought it can be risky for you. I assume you're moving into a college dorm? Most of them don't allow any kind of pets besides fish, but there are a few who will allow small animals. You may as well double-check to make sure your college doesn't allow them before you get rid of Bobo.





Anyway, I have 2 pet rats in my college dorm room. Since most colleges announce room inspections far in advance, it's really not hard to hide an animal in a dorm. I know people with cats and dogs in their dorms, though I don't recommend that. However, a small animal that doesn't require a lot of space can easily be smuggled into a dorm. ;)
Please don't offer Bobo to a pet store, he could end up as snake food. See if there's a small animal rescue near you. If not, ask your vet if they can help you. If you post on Craigslist screen potential adopters carefully. You might want to charge an adoption fee so that only serious pet guardians would consider taking him. Our local rat rescue charges $15 for 2 rats ($10 for 1), to discourage anyone who may be looking to feed a reptile.


BTW, it's certainly possible to introduce adult rats, especially an older rat to a pup. The introduction process usually takes a couple of weeks. We've done successful intros with rats over 2 yrs in age. Rats are much happier if they have other rats to pal around with %26amp; hairless rats should have @ least 1 furry friend. Our hairless girl has 3 cage mates, all younger than her


Good luck to you %26amp; Bobo. I hope something turns up for him.
In almost every state there are specialty rescues where they take in several small rodents like rats and mice. The people that run these are usually very knowledgeable in rodent care and they would more than likely have a cage mate or cage mates for your pet.





A list can be found here: http://www.rmca.org/Rescue/orphans/index.php?method=showhtmllist%26amp;list=adoptionscategory%26amp;rollid=1%26amp;fromfromlist=adoptionscategory%26amp;fromfrommethod=showhtmllist%26amp;clearoff=1





I would suggest calling ahead to make sure the rescue is still there as that website can take a while to update their lists.





It isn't actually that hard to introduce two adult rats. I've done it with a lot of success several times. A neutral area is the best place for introduction. I've found a bathtub is a good choice. So that both rats smell the same, a little bit of vanilla at the base of the tail helps. I've only had one unsuccessful introduction using this method. I ended up neutering the male and he lived with four female rats for the rest of his life.
First thing, introducing two adult rats is very, VERY difficult. So I would forget that part. As to what to do with Bobo when you go away to college. See if you can take him with you, if you can't get and you can't get someone to take Bobo, then try a rat rescue organization. But if Bobo is an adult rat, I hate to tell you this but he might not live that long. Rats only live about 2 years. Best of luck with what ever you decide.
Hello. I live in PA and I own well over 20 rats. Half of them being hairless. You seem very considerate and Bobo will be better off staying with his mommy until she leaves. Do not get another cage mate as that will just double your problem. Male rats that are not young are not that easy to get a companion for. Females usually accept companions better. But males are a bit trickier and he is an adult as well. Plus you are already stressing over having to re home 1. Rats have a life of 2 to 3 years and your lucky if they do hit around the 2 year mark. Hairless can live on the shorter side of the spectrum because of their genes. You may not actually have to make a choice depending on when you leave for school. I would take him in a heartbeat but I am sure you are not in PA. Try a rat group or rat adoption place. Not a breeder or pet store tho. Keep your guy with you until it's time to go. Fate may make it easier on you. But at least he will not have to leave his mom for now. It is best for him to stay with you in his home and in his known environment unless something else comes up. Giving him up sooner if you don't have to will not make it any easier on him. Some rats adjust nice and some rats grieve for their loss when re homed. It all depends on how close you two are.. Good luck.