In honor of National Guardian Month in May, In Defense of Animals once again helped animal companions; this year we supported the spaying and neutering of rescued rats. These lucky rats are among the many up for adoption at Ratical Rodent Rescue, and with the help of donations to our Community Spay/Neuter Jar, more will be spayed, neutered, and placed in loving homes. 

The jar, started by In Defense of Animals office staff, began its journey with dollars dropped into it from staff and visitors who came by our main office and then began making its way out to events like the Sonoma County VegFest, San Francisco VegFest, Earth Day, and Marin Humane Woofstock. When the jar is full, we send that money to a local rescue.

Please never buy animals from pet stores or breeders. 

Abandoned, neglected, abused, and stray rodents land in Bay Area “shelters” daily. Facilities are overfilled, and staff and veterinary resources are inadequate. When space is needed, rescue organizations are called. This means Ratical Rodent Rescue (RRR) and other rescues are continually inundated with rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and chinchillas needing food and housing, spay/neuter services, and health care while awaiting foster or permanent placement. Rodents are not protected under California spay/neuter laws, as dogs, cats, and rabbits are. Rodents are still sold by stores randomly to any buyer without screening. Stores selling rodents, birds, reptiles, and fish are not held to any standard of care for the animals they “carry.” As the inhumane practice of breeding continues, “shelters” and non-profit rescues struggle daily to adopt out as many as they can.

Special thanks to volunteers Debra Mendelsohn of Animal Care and Adoption Network, who has generously included the Community Spay/Neuter Jar at her event tables, as well as Kecia Talbot, Sidney Dent, Candra Cathey, and other friends of In Defense of Animals for contributing their ideas, energy, and passion to support rescue, spay/neuter, and adoption.

For rat adoption information, please contact Ratical Rodent Rescue. Rats are social, bright, and inquisitive. They need interaction with humans and other rats, a clean, safe environment, and love. By adopting instead of buying or breeding, you are saving lives. Rats are wonderful companions for adults and family members mature enough to understand and respect their needs.

Our goal is to reduce the number of unwanted and homeless animal companions. We recently started a program for dogs and cats in Montgomery County and Carroll County in Mississippi. With your help, we hope to expand this program into neighboring counties in Mississippi where poverty is rampant. You can help support this program by making a donation, and if you know someone in these areas who could use help please share the form for assistance with them so we can assist.