Rainbow Rat Refuge
Our Mission
Rainbow Rat Refuge is a domestic rat rescue based out of Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, Ontario. Our rescue is a registered non-profit organization that opened in the summer of 2021. We are small-scale, volunteer-run, and foster-based. Our mission is to better the lives of rats through preventative efforts, crisis response, and lots of love. We serve the Peterborough, Northumberland, and Durham areas in Ontario.
We provide refuge to domestic rats in need, with our intakes currently coming from other overwhelmed rescues and shelters. We rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome through our Foster Program. Rats who are less adoptable may become permanent residents and live out their lives in the comfort of their Foster Family’s company.
We work to provide ongoing support for our Foster and Adoptive Families to help make the connections lasting ones. Collaboration with other rescues and shelters, and the sharing of knowledge with and from the wider community is a vital part of our preventative efforts. It is our hope that this work will become obsolete in the future.
Adoption Policy
This is our Adoption Process:
1. Apply:
Fill out the Adoption Application
Wait patiently and an Adoption Counselor will get back to you within 1 week regardless of our decision
2. Learn, Meet, and Decide:
Ask questions! Ask questions now to save headaches later. We want this to work, but only if it’s workable!
If approved, we will arrange a virtual or in-person meet-and-greet with your rats and their Foster Family. We ask that you have your set-up complete by this date so that we can see it and go over its suitability, or recommend improvements.
This is the point where you and the foster family can further reflect on whether it is a good match or not. Be honest! If it’s not, we can look at other options
3. Finalize the Adoption! This includes:
Payment of nonrefundable adoption fee of $25/rat (cash or e-transfer).
Read and sign the Adoption Agreement
Adoption Day! Pick up your rats from their foster family at an agreed upon location. Remember to bring a suitable carrier. We can help you decide on a good one!
Your adoption includes:
Physical exam by an experienced RVT or Veterinarian
Preventative revolution
Any necessary veterinary care up until the adoption date
Completion of 2-week quarantine period
Handling and socialization in their foster home
Ongoing support from our rescue, for the life of your rats
Your rats' favourite hide or blanket (plus their non-reusable toys, and dig box if they have one!)
Immeasurable love and happiness from your new family member!
