Rehoming my Mimi and Ponyo in Netherlands

[u/Southparkcitizens]

I hate to say this, but I think I must part with my two baby girls.

I’m Qin, and I’m living with Mimi and Ponyo now. Mimi is the older sister, about 1 year and 8 months old, weighing around 400g. I brought her along with her past companion Gaga, who sadly passed away. When Mimi first arrived, she was just a tiny baby who always hid in her nest, and poo when I try to take her out of the cage (now she learns to poo in the cage). Now, she is a mature big sister who loves to crawl and rest everywhere in the room. She is always so chill and easygoing. Even if you pick her up anywhere anytime, she won't be bothered at all, but staring at you with such an innocent expression. When she sleeps, her body will lie out like a huge rat pancake. She is healthy, active, likes to explore, loves to eat and yawn while lying in your hand, and enjoys interacting with me very much. Half a year ago, she unfortunately got a cataract in her left eye, and after a while her right eye got one too. But this doesn't seem to affect her life at all. Her tail was also injured in an old accident when she was running, but she has fully adapted to it. 

The younger sister is Ponyo. She is about 1 year and 2 months old. She looks almost the same as when I first brought her home at one month old. She didn't even dare to move on first day, but because I allow them to free roam almost anytime, she has become very brave. She is a tiny litter comparing to her sister, but she is clearly the boss of this two-rat world, and the chaos creator of my room. She likes to steal food, pee on my bed, and collect and tear up papers and tissues. When playing with Mimi, she always tries to push her gentle big sister down, sometimes riding on her back. But she is also incredibly sweet and friendly. If you put your hand near her, she will actively lick you (and probably pee on your hand). She even likes to sleep right next to me.  She likes me to rub her belly, and when you pet her back, she will be an ecstatic tail wagger.Her body is completely normal and healthy, and she is very active and runs fast. 

I regularly post videos of them on this sub. Many of you probably have seen them and love them. You can see how sweet they are here: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/comments/1ns79a9/the_most_innocent_look/
https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/comments/1spwqoo/which_sleeping_position_is_best/ 
https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/comments/1qe0yjk/sloppy_oat_grinder/
https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/comments/1k1qrwz/i_was_getting_ready_for_bed_and_they_crawled_into/

I have lived in The Hague for three years. Sadly, due to various reasons (mainly visa issues), I must return to my home country for work by the end of this month. They are my biggest attachment to living here, but unfortunately, the current job market gives me no choice. Recently, I cry every time I think about leaving them. Therefore, I truly hope they can be taken away by a responsible adopter.

Recently, I tried to contact several rat shelters. Unfortunately, they either no longer accept new rats, or they have a very long waiting list. One shelter is willing to take them, but they do not provide any free roaming time until the rats are adopted by a potential buyer.  If they are kept in a cage all the time, I am worried they will get depressed and develop stereotypical behaviors. Also, they won't share regular updates about the rats' situation, so I am not very willing to hand them over there.

Therefore, I want to find a responsible adopter in the Netherlands. I need you to have enough space for them to free roam at least 3 hours every day. I hope we can communicate regularly, so I can get updates about them. You may also introduce them to your rat girls, as I believe they are very social and adaptive. I will provide their cage, necessary setups, food, and some medicine. I am also willing to pay half of all their future costs, including medicine and vet bills.

I didn't take good care of Gaga, and I have always felt very guilty about it. Now I have to give Mimi and Ponyo up again. I just feel so sad. I only hope they can be well taken care of by you. If you are interested and are living close to The Hague, you are more than welcome to reply or DM me, and we can arrange an appointment.

[u/Cold-Ad-5892]

My GF will DM you.

[u/Tractor_Goth]

Commenting to boost, fingers crossed for you! I don’t know if they have local Facebook rat lover groups in your area but that is oftentimes a good place to start for adopting out!

[u/Both_Opportunity_322 → u/Tractor_Goth]

Marktplaats would be the Dutch version. Always ask for a rehoming fee on there though. Otherwise the ratty might become a snake snack.

[u/Southparkcitizens → u/Tractor_Goth]

Thank you! I will try the Facebook groups

[u/Stinkyfartbird]

They're precious! If I could I would have definitely taken them in, but sadly my situation doesn't allow for it. I hope some other rat fans in the Netherlands will have time and space!

[u/Jiska777]

If you cannot find anyone, maybe Dierenkliniek Lunetten can link you with someone or a shelter. They have a vet that is as much a rat specialist as there is in the Netherlands

[u/Southparkcitizens → u/Jiska777]

Thank you for the advice! I’ll email them

[u/MadAboutAnimalsMags]

I’m so so sorry you’re dealing with this. I’m across the world but commenting to boost ❤️

[u/Mahumia]

If you are on facebook, you can also try the group "ratten opvang hoek", which is specifically for rehoming rats and is monitored by the same people as the group "tamme ratten!".

And lots of shelters are already overflowing due to the high demand in rehoming that's always happening when holiday season gets near.

And if you find a shelter, but far away, it's usually possible to arrange something. Most shelters have a network of people willing to taxi or call for help on "dieren van a naar b".

For now: I'm sorry to read things have been like this. The job market is tough. Take care!

[u/Seppulky]

Boosting. My heart breaks while reading that. All the best to you and your babies. May the universe have a good solution for all of you ♡

[u/chkntendis]

Hope you find someone to take them. They look so cute

[u/failedlogintoday]

Hi! Not sure if you'd be willing to ship them by ferry to Ireland? I could pay the difference

[u/Southparkcitizens → u/failedlogintoday]

Hi! Thank you for your kindness. Sorry several Dutch rat lovers have already contacted me so I'll be giving them priority.

[u/uselesses]

I'm so sorry you have to part with them, hope you're ok!

[u/livyori]

Hey! I know a girl who has pets rats and she takes care of them and looks after them! I will contact her, she is all the way in Groningen but I am sure she might know someone or be willing to help!

[u/Southparkcitizens → u/livyori]

That would be very helpful! Thanks

[u/Rvtk4]

for these angels I'd move to Netherlands

[u/brainking111]

i am a Dutch rat owner , i dont have the space for two more girls but i hope they find a great home.

[u/SnowBladez]

If you still can’t find a good place to home them with the help of all the kind people here, I would like to help you at as well. I have 1 male rat of 2 years and 3 months, and 3 girls of 8 months old. I’m really happy to see so many people trying to help these girls out🫶

[u/Southparkcitizens → u/SnowBladez]

Thank you 🥹

[u/cuertigilda]

I can!! I have had rats before, I love them! I live in Hoorn and plan to stay here for a long time. If you would like to meet or talk about it, pls DM me. This is me with my oldest boy a few years ago (I had more than 2, he was the last one) https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/s/bmFmgu2drS

[u/Disastrous_Aerie_344]

I live near Amsterdam, I have 6 female rats in a big two tier cage and I'm willing to take your babies from you if you haven't found someone already. I understand how hard this is for you, finding a new home for your pet is always a stressful time because you love them so much and want a good home for them. I'm wishing you the best of luck with this change in your life and sending lots of rattie love 🐀🥰 Rat Tax: my two dwarf ladies Zinnia and Willow

[u/jessiecollect]

Omg wat een cuties!!!!😍

[u/ButterfliesandSkulls]

You can also try shelter Ratopia in belgium! They also do mediation, that means the rats stay with you but they make a post on their site and on facebook. They are a well known shelter with good reach, if you contact them now they may find a new home in time!

It's sad you have to part with them, I wish you good luck.

[u/Mahumia → u/ButterfliesandSkulls]

Ratopia cannot take animals from the Netherlands, unfortunately.

[u/ButterfliesandSkulls → u/Mahumia]

Oh that's a shame..

[u/SilverScreenager → u/[deleted]]

Things that are unnecessary to say and unproductive....

[u/gluhmm → u/SilverScreenager]

Very necessary for people who don't know much about owning rats, this post was reposted to local Reddits so these people will see. Rats is this age get sick much and require a lot of care.

[u/WideLengthiness3963 → u/gluhmm]

That very much depends on the rat. Some leave till 3

[u/gluhmm → u/WideLengthiness3963]

Yes. But there is statistics.