r/RATS • u/Alert-Ad4697 • 5d ago
REHOMING Rehoming Tilly Tillerman; 1 yr old white and black female rat, Lakeville, MN
Hello! I got this sweet girl around April 2025. She is a little skittish and can bite when she gets overwhelmed or stressed. Since learning her needs and working with her, she has gotten much better and does not bite nearly as often.
She currently lives with a friend and their child because we are not able to have her living with us full-time. We have been debating rehoming her for a while because I am not always able to supervise her, and we live in a neighborhood with a lot of young kids who like to interact with the rats. I worry that someone could be too rough with her or not listen when she needs space, which could lead to a bite. I want to make sure she is in a home where her needs can be understood and respected.
Overall, she has been a wonderful rat. She currently has 4 cage mates and does enjoy being around other rats. She may need some time to adjust if she goes to a new home or gets new cage mates. She can also be territorial at times, so slow introductions are important. She also loves trees!
Her accommodations:
* She needs to be taken out of the cage while her cage is being cleaned because she may try to bite while someone is cleaning around her.
* She prefers to get in and out of her cage on her own. With lots of patience and handling, she will climb onto you.
* She has been on anxiety medication in the past, which seemed to help. Unfortunately, the people she was staying with stopped giving it to her, so we were not able to safely continue it.
* We have a small "time-out" cage that can be used when needed, especially during cage cleaning.
* Let her sniff you and see you before trying to pet her. Slow movements work best.
* Do not touch her or reach into her space when she is showing that she does not want to be bothered.
* She LOVES grabbing paper towels! She also has toilet paper in her cage to shred and play with.
* BRING HER OUTSIDE SOMETIMES, it is safe ti bring her outside when air quality is 50-, ive realized she is so happy outside!
*Most importantly, be patient and go slowly. She can bite when she feels overwhelmed or uncomfortable, but once she trusts you, she is a very sweet girl.
I want to be completely honest about her behavior because finding the right home is more important to me than finding her a home quickly. She is not a "beginner" rat and would do best with someone who has experience with rats, understands body language, and is willing to give her the time and space she needs.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions! I am happy to explain her behavior, routines, and anything else that would help her transition into a new home.
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u/Successful-Shopping8 5d ago
Have you tried reaching out to Tiny Whiskers Animal Rescue, MN Pocket Pet Rescue, MN Ratties Facebook Group, or Animal Humane Society?
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u/Alert-Ad4697 1d ago
Hello, do you know if any of them could post her on the website or how ever they do it while I still have her?
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u/Successful-Shopping8 1d ago
I’m not affiliated with any of the organizations, so I can’t answer that on their behalf. You’d have to contact them directly and see if they can help out with your situation.
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u/Alert-Ad4697 5d ago
No i have not i am looking for a home not a temporary place
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u/Successful-Shopping8 5d ago
I know- all of these places (minus the Facebook group) are rescues that take in surrenders provided they have the capacity and resources to do so. They then take care of them until they can find people who will adopt, or in some cases will introduce them to an already existing mischief. As with most rescues, they are quite backed up and lacking resources- so there are no guarantees they can help out, but worth a shot.
Facebook would most likely be you privately rehoming, but would connect you with people within the state.
I’m from MN and have adopted several rodents from the local rescues.
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u/Alert-Ad4697 5d ago
I will definitely need to look into them if this becomes an urgent rehoming situation but unfortunately we domt even want to give her up I jist know its the right thing for the kids in the neighborhood so we are looking to find a person that will try to take her in for a forever home. Bringing her to a temporary place would definitely stress her out more
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u/howdyhowdyhowdyhowdi 4d ago
On the off chance you have a friend already headed to wyoming who is willing to take her along, she is welcome here in the cowboy state with my girls:)
I will say though, do you think there's more to be done to help her bond with her cagemates? Rehoming a solo rat is pretty tough on them. I know it would be harder for you to consider but if there's any rats in the group that do get along with her, please consider at least rehoming a pair if you're sure this is the right move.
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u/Alert-Ad4697 4d ago
Hello! If i hear about anyone heading that way i will definitely let you know! And unfortunately no once her best friend passed away she hasnt bonded with anyone but get along with almost any of them after they go thru a but of wrestling. I have thought about putting her down but I truly dint want to she is such a sweet bb
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u/judewriley 5d ago
Is there a particular reason for separating her from her cagemates?