Aptos home overrun by 80 rats
UPDATE 11/20/18 6:57 p.m. More than 80 rats were found inside a home in Aptos.
Officers with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter impounded the rodents on Monday. They said the owner started out with just a few rats but then the breeding cycle quickly began and she was soon overwhelmed with dozens more.
Officer Todd Stosuy with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter says, “a woman started out with 5 or 6 rats and unfortunately didn’t keep them separated. Every single one of these animals is in good condition, every single one of these animals is very social. Each animal was hand raised by the woman who had them and she cared deeply for these animals, however she got overwhelmed.”
Additionally the shelter says, “we are continuing to work with her and expect another 20 rats to be surrendered in the next week.”
But it will not end there, at least 20 of the rats the shelter already has are pregnant. “
The rats are healthy and will be up for adoption starting on Saturday. Stosuy says rats are often seen in a negative light, but they make great pets, “domestic rats can actually make wonderful pets, especially people allergic to dogs and they’re less responsibility for children.”
The shelter is hoping to find all of the rats new homes, having more than 80 is getting expensive for them, “we’re hopeful for two really big things in this case, one that all 80 rats find a home but also if there’s any donations that we can have, we confiscated these rats yesterday and we’ve already spent 1,000 dollars on them in food supplies and cages.”
Usually rats are $25.00 each to adopt, but since they are social creatures and to encourage people to adopt two they will have a two for one special.
To avoid the same thing happening it is recommended that people with rats separate the males and females, or get them neutered or spayed.
If you are interested in adopting a rat call the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 831-454-7200.
PREVIOUS STORY:
More than 80 rats were found inside a home in Aptos.
Officers with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter impounded the rodents on Monday. They said the owner started out with just a few rats but then the breeding cycle quickly began and she was soon overwhelmed with dozens more.
“We are continuing to work with her and expect another 20 rats to be surrendered in the next week,” said the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
According to the shelter, the rats are healthy and will soon be looking for new homes.
If you are interested in adopting a rat call the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 831-454-7200.
KION’s Ashley Keehn will have the full story at 5 p.m.
