While each person participating in  rescue operates under his/her own rules, some general guidelines are listed below; some exceptions may be made depending on the circumstances of the rescue. If you have an accidental litter of rats or mice... Due to a limited number of foster homes available to house rescue animals until an appropriate home can be found, we are not always able to take in accidental litters of rats or mice.  Often we will ask the person currently caring for them to assist in housing them while potential new homes are found. Unfortunately, many of the inquires we get are from people who have purchased a female pet rat or mouse from a pet store that unbeknownst to them the animal was pregnant.  Suddenly these people have more pets than they bargained for.  Here are some suggestions for those people who find themselves in this situation and want to try to place the babies in pet homes. *  You are welcome to post information about your litter on our Rescue Message Board. * Go back to the pet store with your receipt and tell the manager what has occurred.  They may volunteer to take the babies back, but beware, they may be used as feeders for reptiles.  You may wish to ask for monetary compensation for the amount it will cost you to place the babies (additional housing, bedding, food, advertising, etc.). * Post advertisements in local veterinarians offices (always ask permission first).  Pet stores that don't sell animals may also be willing to let you advertise your animals.  It helps to have a picture of the animals on the flyer. * Place advertisements in local newspapers and publications.  While some of these publications offer free advertising, normally there is a fee.  Always carefully screen people who call from the ads.  Charging a nominal fee may deter people looking for reptile food. * Word of mouth.  Spread the word to your friends, neighbors, co-workers that you have rats/mice looking for a good home.  Many teachers have rats as classroom pets and you may find one interested in your animals. * Contact your local animal shelter/SPCA.  Be aware that many shelters must euthanize animals to make space for incoming animals.  There are some no kill shelters which are able to hold onto animals until they get adopted.  If you choose to leave your animals at a shelter/SPCA be sure to ask about their policies.  Some shelters/SPCAs keep lists of people who are interested in a particular type of pet which may help you locate a home for your animals without surrendering them to the shelter. If you need to rehome a rat or mouse... We do have several foster homes available to take in rats and mice in need.   Depending on space availability in our foster homes at any given time here are some general guidelines for taking in foster animals. * You are welome to post information about your rat or mouse on the Rescue Message Board * We urge anyone needing to rehome their rat or mouse to make every attempt to place the animal themselves. Please refer to the section above for suggestions. Animals will be accepted into foster homes on a "greatest need" basis with shelter animals being given priority. * In most cases the person relinquishing the animals must bring the animals to the foster home.  Sometimes arrangements can be made to meet at Club events or other locations. * As a condition of taking in the foster animals the animals must pass a health check conducted by the foster home (no symptoms of respiratory disease, no external parasites such as mites or lice).  If the animals don't pass the health check the person relinquishing them will be expected to take them back immediately. * Surrender Agreement.  The person relinquishing the animals must sign a Surrender Agreement which states from the time the animals are excepted into foster care the original owner no longer has any say in what happens to the animals. * A donation is requested and greatly appreciated to help offset costs of caring for the animal(s) until placement in a permanent home. * Animals who come housed in an appropriate cage/aquarium are often easier to find room for in foster care, and some foster homes are only able to take in animals who bring their own cage along. Any cages will become the property of the foster home. If you need to place a rat or mouse in foster care, please

Rescue and Rehoming Guidelines