Compatibility meeting with new rat too risky w/o quarantine?

[rhapsody]

Gah, my reputation as a rodent "rescuer" has gotten me into hot water yet again. Someone told someone else that I recently adopted rats, and now that someone else is hoping that I could take three rats off her hands. And its really not her fault either - she was looking after them while their owner was on vacation, and well, he refused to take them back! I told her I might be able to take one, but I definitely can't take all three - being a very new rattie momma, I'm a little worried about getting overwhelmed ...

Anyhoo, I was wondering: Is it safe to arrange a meet-n-greet with my two boys and one of her rats to see if there is any compatibility between them? Or is it too risky without a quarantine period? The last thing I want to do is bring one home, quarantine her, and then find out that she does not get along with my boys - two separate rat setups at this point is a bit more than I can handle. BUT under no circumstances do I want to unnecessarily put the health of my two boys at risk.

Merg, I might just refer her to the several local rat rescues and see if they can help her instead.

 

[Joanne]

Are we to assume that the female rat or your two boys are neutered?

 

[rhapsody]

Are we to assume that the female rat or your two boys are neutered?

Whoops, forgot to mention that - both my boys are neutered.

 

[xxchelle]

Are all three in a bonded group? If so, I wouldn't split up the group. Maybe if it was a group of four, you could take a pair, but I'd feel awful just taking one rat away from their friends, to a new, strange home.

 

[rhapsody]

Are all three in a bonded group? If so, I wouldn't split up the group. Maybe if it was a group of four, you could take a pair, but I'd feel awful just taking one rat away from their friends, to a new, strange home.

I'm not entirely sure. I'd be doing more harm than good if that was the case though, right?

 

[xxchelle]

Everyone is going to have a different opinion about that... I can give you mine but don't take it as fact, since no one really knows how she'll react without her buddies (if they are in fact her buddies). Every case is different so do what your heart tells you is right, okay?

My thoughts are, assuming they're bonded, IF there's absolutely NO other option, and they're sitting on death row in a shelter, and you can only take one, then yes take one. If there's another home that will take all three, or a shelter that will take all three, then I'd say keep them together. I've seen rats grieve so hard for their lost cagemates that it literally almost kills them. They stop eating, stop exploring and playing, etc. especially when they lose their friends AND have to move to a new, strange home and try to meet new rats. On the flip side, I've seen rats do fine without their cagemates. But if there was another option, I personally wouldn't risk it.

 

[jorats]

I totally agree with Chelle.
As for quarantine, we have learned not too long ago, that quarantine is extremely important and could mean death to your rats. I wouldn't risk it.