Please read!~ should i do this?

[Thrifty Hamster]

As many of you know I recently rescued a feeder mouse from Petco. Well, he's recovering really fast and I am happy to report he's just like new again.

I do want to say I've fallen in love with a little rattie girl at the same Petco and I've just can't get her out of my mind. That said, she's only 5.50$ and no doubt if I don't take her she's going to be turned into a feeder rat considering the conditions she's in.

Her cage is covered in droppings, no litter box as there's a teeny tank to hold about a dozen rats that are twice her size and most of them kick her out of the hidey-house as is, and more importantly she's on a low quality lab-block without a doubt. (Probably Kaytee or something.)

If I were to get her she would be in the XL-Rabbit/Guinea Pig home that I have as a backup cage for emergencies as I dub it... I also have a Medium/Large cage that I keep around in the garage but it's still not suitable I feel for her.

When I say this cage is XL it's EXTRA LARGE. Though it's nothing compared to Critter or Ferret Nation cages, it's still pretty huge compared to that basic green tub cage we've got.

The XL has a ramp that she can climb on, and while this isn't even the safest cage for her, and the bar spacing might worry some of you I know, she can stay in this for a few days until I find her something else that's more suitable.

I'll get her Reggie Rat by Supreme Foods, and I've heard that rats need higher amounts of protein (similar to hamsters) than mice. Though likewise, too much can cause itching and hotspots.

Yes. She'd be by herself because she's submissive I can tell. The others kick her out of the single igloo she's got in there and like the mouse I got from the store I think she'd be happier living alone or at least away from the larger rats for the time being.

If there are any members in Florida that can take a female rat, I'd feel way more comfortable re-homing her here than any place else like Craigslist.

I'm not going to go ahead and buy her too many supplies in one go, but I will consider the idea of buying her things like a silent spinner, and all those others that she needs.

That is, if she is still there, and if someone is willing to take her.

(However if you do take her from me I can't give up the XL cage, possibly I can give up the Large/Medium cage but not my good XL cage... I'm sorry I can't part with that yet. That's too expensive.)

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

I can't take her; I would; but I'm states away. However, I think you should take her. No, I know you should take her!

She sounds like she needs help, if I were you I'd take her home with me

[Esmy]

I don't know much about rats, but I don't think she's supposed to stay alone long term. I was looking into adopting one that was by himself but I was told he should still be introduced to another rat. I've never heard of rats being fed to snakes but again, not a rat expert. What do your parents think?

[Hekomi]

My worry is that you've already promised your parents you weren't going to take the mouse to the vet; what happens if this little one needs vet help?

I would want to take her in as well. If it's possible for you to take her in, do it. But you maya run into issues that compound with your mouse already, especially if your parents say no to vet care. I know in that situation I'd feel guilty and useless, but that's just me.

I hope something good can happen for her. It sounds dreadful. I know the feeling of wanting to save all the little furries. Best wishes.

[Thrifty Hamster]

Just... I have four dogs, a bird, a mouse, and a hamster... My dad is gonna flip if I bring her home, my mom is barely gonna go for it. I can bribe her into letting me take her - and I just got some money from my grandparents for Easter, (5$ to be exact. Plus I have some in my bank that is just some spare change that can pay for tax and stuff for the little rattie.)

I don't know, I'm not going to question my mom about it tonight. I'm most likely going to ask her when my dad's working and we're out and about shopping for stuff. That way she and I can sneak out to Petco and make a quick stop by and see if she's still there.

I'll tell her that... -sigh-. If I get the rat then I'll be willing to forget about my trip to Seattle, but the problem is I've got to break it to my friends that I can't help them out.

Though this is an animals life on the line, so its worth it.

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

What we do for our animals! Anything, almost. And I think Esmy was right; although there are exceptions to every rule, don't rats need constant attention from another rat? Forgive me if I'm wrong;I've never had a rat.

[Esmy]

I think it's going to cost more than the 5 dollars to take in a rat. Can you keep affording to buy the food? What about a water bottle? I agree about the vet too. If you can't afford the vet care and she suffers, what will you do?

I do know rats can get depressed without a huge amount of human attention if they don't have a rat friend. What about stimulation?

[Thrifty Hamster]

Yeah my friend said they need to be kept in pairs or trios. Though if I did keep her eventually I'd get a better cage like a ferret nation or a critter nation cage, and eventually pair her up with two rats maybe three etc. (When I have more space and more time.)

I know it sounds harsh to not have her paired up right away but I can't and if she's not doing well in the environment she's in right NOW - then why make her suffer? When I get the quad, quintet or trio from where ever I do get them from it'll be from a breeder or rescue group and I'll socialize all of them properly.

[Thrifty Hamster]

I'll see if I can talk it over with my mom and maybe she'll go for it if I give up the trip to Seattle and a few other things. I also have some money in my Paypal account that I earned myself from a writing commission BTW... So if I deposit that into a bank account then maybe mom will take that jig better than just a 5 dollar tip for the rat.

Also, about vet care I understand your concerns for that. Though I did look at her and I couldn't tell if her eyes & nose were reddish or not so I'm just not sure how her overall well-being is. What will she do when I bring her home? Animals can instantly change when they are moved to a new environment.

So I will talk about it with my mom when the time is right, if not right this second then I'll see about tomorrow or the next day. I think my mom is working tomorrow.

[Esmy]

I get where you are coming from, but it doesn't seem like you are in a position to take in a rat and properly care for it. Just my opinion. You'll often see pets at Petco that look like they need rescuing. Unfortunately, Petco is notorious for this.