Eight lucky ratties were rescued from the Chula Vista Animal Shelter - but only four of them had safe homes waiting at the end of the road.

Can you help us write a happy ending to this story? We need safe foster or adoptive homes in California.
For more information on how to help these very special ratties, follow the butterfly!
Rat Emergency in San Diego
UPDATE: July 1st, 2002: All of the Chula Vista rats have been removed from the shelter. Fenella kindly brought the remaining rats to Wee Companions, where they were promptly washed, fed, and put to bed. Vet appointments were on Monday, and everyone looks basically fine. One of the females skipped her spay surgery after giving birth to four peeping pinkies, and another female may have a tumor on her shoulder.

Another wave of rats has been placed in adoptive homes across California, making a total of 15 rats rehomed with tots in tow. A huge thank you to all the people who have helped out with driving time, homes, foster care, and supplies! Wee Companions has footed the vet bills for these special rats; check out the web site for donation information and to thank Fenella for being a guardian angel to these 40 ratties during such a terrible time!

There are many, many Chula Vista rats still waiting for their forever home. Although the ratties are safe at Wee Companions and in Marin County, their lives will not return to normal until they have a new family to call their very own. Please consider adopting a Chula Vista rat or two - contact Eadie's House or Wee Companions for more information.
Background:

Tragically, almost forty pet rats have been left homeless after the death of their guardian in a car accident. I am positive the man who owned the ratties never imagined his beloved pets would be stranded and left at a local shelter - where they are in imminent danger of euthanasia. Please, if you have room in your heart and home for one or more of these ratties, contact Wee Companions for additional information.

The ratties are currently being held at the Chula Vista Animal Shelter, 690 Otay Valley Road, Chula Vista, CA 92011. The Chula Vista shelter can be reached at the following telephone number:

619.691.5123

Even if you feel unable to help these poor animals, please consider the fate of your own animal companions if the worst does happen. Provide for your best friends: a stipulation in your will (check with your lawyer for details), a written agreement with a trusted friend, a living trust through a rescue. The American legal system typically considers animals property - make your wishes clear and avoid leaving your treasured companions alone and praying for a humane death at the hands of a stranger.
Old Updates:

UPDATE: As of June 9th, approximately 20 ratties are still left at the shelter. Males can be neutered for 25 dollars, females spayed for 40 dollars if such a low-cost procedure will help with placement. Please contact Wee Companions directly for more information about spay/neuter procedures.
UPDATE: Just look at those adorable faces - how can you resist? Photographs courtesy of Wee Companions.
This extremely dashing fellow has been dubbed 'Lord Byron'. Are you ready for your heart to be stolen?
Sighing over Lord Byron. . .
UPDATE: June 18th, 2002: the missing rats have been located, and will be returned to the Chula Vista Animal Shelter. A Good Samaritan will be selecting eight of the remaining shelter rats, and driving the furry crew to Northern California. We still need foster or adoptive homes for four of the rats from this group. Please, if you can help with space or information, contact Eadie's House.

In addition, an unknown number of rats must be left behind at the shelter. These ratties are badly frightened and confused - they need your help. If you live in the San Diego area, please consider extending a friendly paw and adopting a rat or two from the shelter. If you are only able to foster, Eadie's House will continue to work with you to help place the animals in safe, permanent homes.
UPDATE: June 21st, 2002: wonderful news from shelter manager Lt. Gary Wedge - only 2 little boys are left to be placed! If we can find a home for these two guys, every rat involved in this horrible ordeal will be safe in either an adoptive home or a foster home.

Also, we are looking for individuals willing to make a car trip from the Chula Vista shelter up to the Los Angeles area with three stops in between to make the final drop-offs!