Rats who survived being set on fire looking for new homes

The five rats named Craig, Greg, Lorna, Brook and Stella, were found in two rabbit hutches, along with 10 other rodents, at Bruton Park, Rhyl, in August. Both enclosures had suffered damage to their doors and base.

All rodents - nine males and six females - survived, although the females had singed fur and badly charred whiskers, with just the very tips remaining.

All 15 were taken to the charity’s Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre in Upper Colwyn Bay, where they were checked by a vet. Five remained at the centre and Craig and Greg are the last of the group still waiting to be adopted.

The others were transferred to the RSPCA’s Newbrook Farm Animal Centre in Birmingham and Lorna, Bella and Stella are at Gonsal Farm near Shrewsbury. Despite their traumatic experience, Craig and Greg who are described as "inseparable" have grown in confidence in foster care with RSPCA animal rescue officer Melanie Froude.

The duo are now looking for a permanent new home together.

Victoria Williams from Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre, said: “Despite what they’ve been through, Craig and Greg are gentle, sweet natured rats who adore each other’s company. As they’re not particularly confident just yet, we’re looking for a home that’s had previous experience of caring for rats so that handling can be introduced at a slow and steady pace. They’ll also need a large, tiered cage and time out to explore daily after they’ve built up confidence in their new home.”

Lorna and Brook. (Image: RSPCA Cymru)

Ryan Traynor, deputy centre manager at Gonsal Farm, said: “Lorna, Brook and Stella are inquisitive girls who want to be friends with you, but they are still a little bit unsure and aren't quite at the stage where they fully trust people. They’ll accept a little bit of fuss and will take food from you, but everything has to be done at a slow and gentle pace.

"They’re a happy, bonded little group though, which is why we’re looking for a new home for them together.”

There were 670 calls about rat welfare reported to the RSPCA’s cruelty line in 2021, including 81 incidents involving rats that had been given up or abandoned.

Dr Jane Tyson, the RSPCA’s rodent welfare expert, said: “Rats are sociable, intelligent and friendly animals but they can often be misunderstood and underestimated, and as a charity, we sadly dealt with hundreds of reports about rats that needed our help last year. This is why it’s really important to understand how rats should be kept, and there is lots of helpful and informative advice on our website.”

Both enclosures had suffered damage to their doors and base. (Image: RSPCA Cymru)

For more information about Craig and Greg visit Bryn-y-Maen’s website and for further details about Lorna, Brook and Stella go to Gonsal Farm’s website.

To donate to the RSPCA, visit www.rspca.org.uk/jointherescue