[Mads]

Hi-

Last week I adopted three female rats from a wildlife center I volunteer at (they were rehomed because there were not any programs happening due to covid). They gave me the rats, cage, and food for free so all I had to buy was bedding and toys. I had been wanting rats for months beforehand, and had done tons of research and thought I knew what to expect, so I thought this was the best possible scenario I could have asked for as a first time rat owner.
Turns out, owning rats is harder than I expected. I can't let them free range, and my parents are worried that they will soon be figure out how to escape the playpen they go in for playtime, even though I'm always in there with them. I'm also a college student, and right now I'm learning from home/commuting (yay, covid), but I do plan to move back into a dorm next semester. There's no 100% guarantee I'll be able to have them in the dorm, though, and even if I can my mom is worried that they'll be way too much to handle in a dorm.
I'm planning on giving it another week or two and contacting my school about them, but in the meantime does anyone have any advice? I absolutely love my girls and the thought of having to give them back is heartbreaking. I would also feel so guilty since the wildlife center trusted me to take care of them. Thanks, everyone!

 

[lfraser06]

I don't know about the dorms ... I'd be surprised if they allowed you to house the rats there.
Is there a nearby friend you can share the rats with? So they're taken care of, but you wouldn't have to give them back?

 

[Nikole2Ratties]

My cousin had really cool dorm-mates and snuck a pet bunny into her room! They never said anything about it to anyone. She had her furry friend the entire time she was in college and never got caught or in trouble!

 

[a1phanine]

My cousin had really cool dorm-mates and snuck a pet bunny into her room! They never said anything about it to anyone. She had her furry friend the entire time she was in college and never got caught or in trouble!

Don't do this. If you do get caught depending on the place you could get into a lot of trouble or they could demand you get rid of the pets straight away which will leave you in bother.
Always think ahead when buying pets, didnt you consider the dorm situation before you got them?

Seek permission and hope for the best

 

[_dizzy_]

You definitely should ask permission on your rats asap. And if you end up not being able to keep them try to find a friend who may want rats of try to re-home them on FB or Craigslist. I recommend FB more than craigslist.

 

[Mads]

Thanks, everyone. I'm in the process of contacting my school. There is a way for me to get them in legally, and my roommate is very excited about the idea of rats. I guess I'm mostly just anxious that my school will say no for whatever reason. I'm starting to figure out a good routine to care for them and I'm a little more comfortable with everything. If all goes well, I will be able to keep them.

 

[Dinabubble]

Hi-

Last week I adopted three female rats from a wildlife center I volunteer at (they were rehomed because there were not any programs happening due to covid). They gave me the rats, cage, and food for free so all I had to buy was bedding and toys. I had been wanting rats for months beforehand, and had done tons of research and thought I knew what to expect, so I thought this was the best possible scenario I could have asked for as a first time rat owner.
Turns out, owning rats is harder than I expected. I can't let them free range, and my parents are worried that they will soon be figure out how to escape the playpen they go in for playtime, even though I'm always in there with them. I'm also a college student, and right now I'm learning from home/commuting (yay, covid), but I do plan to move back into a dorm next semester. There's no 100% guarantee I'll be able to have them in the dorm, though, and even if I can my mom is worried that they'll be way too much to handle in a dorm.
I'm planning on giving it another week or two and contacting my school about them, but in the meantime does anyone have any advice? I absolutely love my girls and the thought of having to give them back is heartbreaking. I would also feel so guilty since the wildlife center trusted me to take care of them. Thanks, everyone!

Hi there. I truly understand your love for your rats, (I have 8) but sometimes loving means letting go, especially when it’s in their best interest. Rats really need to free range for their best health and well being, and also need attention and interaction with you, as you know. Having pet rats is a commitment. Being a college student, is also a commitment. Dorm rooms may not be the best place at all to have 3 rats. This is a tough juncture in your life when it’s time to go deeply within your heart, be honest with yourself, and do whatever will result in the best outcome for your beloved rats. And there is no reason, whatsoever, to feel guilty because the wildlife center trusted you to take care of them. That’s what you’re really trying to do here!

 

[ProudRatMama]

Hi-

Last week I adopted three female rats from a wildlife center I volunteer at (they were rehomed because there were not any programs happening due to covid). They gave me the rats, cage, and food for free so all I had to buy was bedding and toys. I had been wanting rats for months beforehand, and had done tons of research and thought I knew what to expect, so I thought this was the best possible scenario I could have asked for as a first time rat owner.
Turns out, owning rats is harder than I expected. I can't let them free range, and my parents are worried that they will soon be figure out how to escape the playpen they go in for playtime, even though I'm always in there with them. I'm also a college student, and right now I'm learning from home/commuting (yay, covid), but I do plan to move back into a dorm next semester. There's no 100% guarantee I'll be able to have them in the dorm, though, and even if I can my mom is worried that they'll be way too much to handle in a dorm.
I'm planning on giving it another week or two and contacting my school about them, but in the meantime does anyone have any advice? I absolutely love my girls and the thought of having to give them back is heartbreaking. I would also feel so guilty since the wildlife center trusted me to take care of them. Thanks, everyone!

Sorry I dont think they allow rats in dorms. They smell quite a bit. Why cant you let them free range? Is there too much furniture or are you worried they'll pee. Id say if you are already having trouble taking care of them you might want to remove them. I have 7 rats currently and they can be overwhelming to take care of during the school year because of all the attention they need😕

 

[ProudRatMama]

My cousin had really cool dorm-mates and snuck a pet bunny into her room! They never said anything about it to anyone. She had her furry friend the entire time she was in college and never got caught or in trouble!

My mom snuck in a stray kitten and got found out a month later. I believe she was kicked out

 

[Kasabar]

Before adopting a rat, you should take into consideration the whole period of its growth. You can’t just adopt a rat and then complain about the fact that you can no longer keep it. Letting it free is also a problem because this will start harming and destroying the place where you and your neighbors live. The same thing is with the squirrels, and that is why I have decided to get rid of them by calling Fort Worth Squirrel Removal | Squirrel removal fort Worth for that.

 

[CorbinDallasMyMan]

Rats really need to free range for their best health and well being, and also need attention and interaction with you, as you know.

Rats do just fine in playpens. Playpens are great. Some people carefully rat-proof a larger space and let their rats run freely but this is 100% not a requirement. I choose to keep an enclosed play are for my rats because I don't want them to do damage to my home and possessions and I don't want them hurting themselves on what they might find while running around.

-edit- sorry, I'm just seeing that Kasabar was resurrecting a 7 month old thread.

 

[Tinytoes]

oops, me too lol

I was gonna tell her to request the school allow her to keep them as part of a study on rescued rats and their effect on the mental health of college students who are often under a lot of pressure. Write a proposal on your study and see what happens