The RSPCA is appealing for information after two tiny rats were abandoned in the street in the middle of Storm Dennis.
The rats were discovered in a cage dumped in Hilton Road, Huntingdon, on Saturday 15 February – at the heart of Storm Dennis’s gale force winds and torrential rain.
RSPCA inspector Stephen Reeves went to collect the pair who had been taken in by a man who discovered them abandoned in the street.
Stephen said: “A kind passerby discovered the rats – who’d been dumped outside in the street during the most horrendous weather – and took them into his home before calling us.
“The two female rats were not in very good condition and have clearly been cast aside by an owner who either no longer wanted them or couldn’t be bothered to take them to a vet for treatment for their ailments. “
The rats, who are now being cared for by RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre staff, have been named Ciara and Denise, after the storms.
Stephen added: “They’re really sweet rats and are very friendly and easy to handle. They’ve clearly been used to human contact so we’re sure they’ve been pets before. Unfortunately, Ciara has a large lump on her shoulder and other smaller limps across her body, while Denise has some hair loss and has been quite lethargic. They’ve both been checked by the vet but may need further treatment.
“It’s completely irresponsible to abandon any animal – particularly small, vulnerable pets like rats – and to do so during the awful weather we’ve been having is just mind-boggling. I’d like to hear from anyone who knows who’s responsible for abandoning Ciara and Denise to contact us on 0300 123 8018.”
The rats will remain in Block Fen’s care. If they’re not claimed by an owner, then a member of staff has already offered to rehome the pair.
To find out more about caring for rats you can visit www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/rats. To see the RSPCA’s rats looking for new homes visit www.rspca.org/findapet.
