163 Rats Surrendered From Essex County Home: MSPCA Seeks Adopters

SALEM, MA — Nearly 200 rats were surrendered to the MSPCA-Angell and Northeast Animal Shelter of Salem from an Essex County home last month.

Now the organizations are looking for adopters for the more than four dozen that remain after they worked with fellow shelters across New England to seek homes for 100 of the surrenders.

The MSPCA took in 163 rats from the home on Feb. 9, which it said is more than 60 percent of the rats that are normally adopted out during a given year.

(MSPCA-Angell)

"A well-meaning person got into a tough spot, and we were able to help," MSPCA Vice President of Animal Protection Division Mike Keiley said. "As a humane law enforcement department, we want to work with people who love their animals to make sure those animals are getting the care they need.

"Sometimes that means helping with resources, other times it means facilitating a surrender, which was the case here."

The MSPCA-Angell retained 53 rats for adoption and distributed others to area shelters.

"We're incredibly fortunate to have many partners who stepped up and took some rats in, Keiley said, noting that organizations across Massachusetts and New Hampshire helped. "Taking in so many of one kind of small animal or bird really taxes resources. It pulls our attention to accommodating one species when we're caring for so many at the same time."

The MSPCA-Angell now has more than 70 rats in its care —nearly three-quarters of the total the organization adopted out last year.

(MSPCA-Angell)

"This kind of surrender wouldn't be possible without the amazing support we've received from other shelters — and we're hoping we get a similar level of amazing support from the community," Kieley said.

MSPCA-Angell said rats are extremely social animals that can make engaging pets for those who may not have space for a cat or dog.

MSPCA-Angell said rats are extremely social animals that can make engaging pets for those who may not have space for a cat or dog.

Rats from the Essex County surrender are being split between all four of the MSPCA-Angell’s shelters in Boston, Salem, Methuen and Cape Cod.

"Usually, NEAS (MSPCA-Angell Northeast Animal Shelter) only houses cats and dogs, but given the size of this case, we had to engage all our locations," Keiley said. "Many of the females are on gestation hold, but they'll also be available in the coming weeks."