When I was in Wellington, I managed to catch up with Trudi from New Zealand Rat Rescue (NZRR). Having learned too late about their centres in Christchurch and Nelson, I had missed out. Wellington is home to their third centre but they have foster carers throughout New Zealand.
Trudi got involved with NZRR years ago when a friend had to return to Germany. Their pet rat couldn’t come, so Trudi took it in. Her research into how to care for rats showed that they need little rat friends. One thing led to another… With her own little rat brood, NZRR drew her attention. She started “helping out where [she] could” and ended up one of the main contributing members.
NZRR exists to help rehome domestic rats. Wild rats fall outside their charter. Incoming rats are given vet care if needed and cared for until a permanent home can be found. Rats are adopted straight from the centres (these are run out of board members’ homes) or can be transported elsewhere using Pet Bus. Rats that are considered unsuitable for rehoming (usually due to age or medical issues) become ‘sanctuary rats’ and get to stay with one of NZRR’s rat pros to live out their lives.
NZRR is self-funded by a very successful online store. One of their key products is their very own rat food. NZRR’s rat food is specially made to cater to a rat’s natural needs. Trudi informs me that most commercially available rat foods are made on a seed-based formula, while rats actually require a grain-based diet. The rat food they sell is made with care by Trudi in her home, using only ingredients that rats need for an optimal diet. Lab Blocks are also available to supplement a rat diet with all the nutrients they need.
Much of the information available about keeping rats does not do them justice. For this reason, education is a major focus for NZRR.
“They are a small animal, but they still deserve love and health care, like any animal does.”
Educational material can be found on the NZRR website, but Trudi urges rat owners to join in discussions on their Facebook page or email a board member if they have questions. Community members at ratclub.org can also provide excellent assistance.
If you are thinking about adopting a rat, please do your research. Rats require understanding, care and vet treatment, like any other animal. NZRR maintains a list of rat-friendly vets they recommend throughout the country. If you’d prefer a different vet, feel free to contact NZRR and be sure to ask if your vet is confident treating rats. Consider these expenses as par for the course and if you can’t afford to provide them, you should reconsider getting a pet.
If you’d like to help out, NZRR can always use more foster carers and volunteers. You may end up being contacted to transport a rat, care for a rat or help nurse a rat back to health. Short-term and long-term fosterers are needed or you could choose to sponsor a sanctuary rat. If you’d like to know more, contact NZRR here. You can also help by supporting the excellent range of products on their online shop.
*all pictures are supplied by New Zealand Rat Rescue or from their official pages (with permission).
The Longest Walk NZ 