EIGHT WILD NEWBORN RATS

[panda44]

I just found this place during my mad dash to find some help for these baby rats. My dad found eight newborn baby rats while he was cleaning up his shed. The mother ran off and he put the newborns in a box. He said he was just going to leave them there to die but i really do not want to do that. Any suggestions? My parents won't allow me to care for them myself ... Should i take them to a local vet or try and find a wildlife shelter or something? :/ i really don't wanna just leave them to die. Thanks!!

 

[SQ]

Put them back in the shed where they were and the mom will come back as it sounds like it hasn't been too long.
This is their best chance for survival.

Otherwise, if they are that young, they will not survive unless in with a foster mom and her newborn litter

 

[eagle]

SQ beat me to it. Yes leave them alone and hopefully the mother will come back.

 

[lilspaz68]

I agree, mom will likely come back for them, so I would put them back.

 

[panda44]

Well alright... though I am not exactly sure where by the shed my dad found them. When he showed them to me he had them in our garage inside a box with some dirt and such (which i assume was part of their no longer intact nest)... so i put one of my old shirts in a diff box, put them in it and set it back out by the shed like yall said i should.... suppose that's it then? sure hope the mom comes back...or my dad doesn't try getting rid of them.. Thank u all!

 

[panda44]

:| i went to go check on them and ants were attacking them... i got another old t-shirt and put them in it and held them w/ one hand and got all the ants out of the box with the other.. then i put them bk in the garage... D: should i put them bk out by the shed? i don't want ants trying to eat them again ...

 

[SQ]

Thank you for saving the babies from your dad.
I hope they will be safe until their mama gets them.

You may want to start looking for a nursing mama with a newborn litter to foster them just in case they are still there tomorrow.
(Don't take them to a pet store, reptile place, etc)
A rat rescue or shelter may have a nursing mama and may be able to help if their mama isn't able to get them.

Some rat rescues listed in the rescue section:
http://www.pocketangelsrescue.com/
http://www.myspace.com/anyratrescue

 

[SQ]

Would your dad be able to help you make them protected and safe for their mama to return.
At their age, they really have little to no chance without her.

 

[panda44]

I am not sure how to keep the ants from the babies :|..
and I don't think dad will be willing to help.. he wants them to be thrown away >:/.

 

[lilspaz68]

Rat mom's can climb, so put babies in a shallow box up higher if possible?

 

[panda44]

I guess i could put a chair out there or something.. i'd put them inside the shed on a shelf but it's even hotter in there I'm sure..
I'll try the chair and check on them in a bit. ty

 

[SQ]

Goosemoose is a USA based forum.
Perhaps a rescue on there might be able to help if mama doesn't return
http://www.goosemoose.com/component/opt ... forum,rat/

 

[panda44]

Mom hasn't come back for them and I am sure she wont be... even if she does I am sure dad will have traps down and etc...
I went to the links you sent me SQ (thank u very much) but my parents won't allow me to take care of the babes for one thing
and for another I dont know my way around the forums. I guess my only option is to call animal control. Thank u all.

 

[user 1946]

Hey! I'm from Texas shoot me a PM, email or reply to the message, what town you live in, and if its close enough, I'll come get them!

 

[SQ]

Pocket Angels Rat Rescue
Phone: (682) 230-3023
(682) 503-6698