Trixie, Nala and Kenzie Rat Rat Mix Brooklyn, NY

This bonded trio emerged from two different rescues.
First came Kenzie (brown and white, hooded). She, alongside 3 others, came to us after a stressful life as unwilling subjects of behavioral research, in a North Carolina lab. Due to their past experience with humans, the girls were fearful and untrusting at first, but they have adjusted to a loving foster home, with ample living space, and a daily out-of-cage-time routine. Probably for the first time in their lives, they could now engage in natural behavior such as nest building, rearranging their enclosure, and having a worry-free existence, in an environment where their physical and emotional needs are being provided for.
Even before her three sisters got adopted, Kenzie bonded most with her adoptive sisters Nala and Trixie, whom she shared the cage with.
She loves being groomed by Trixie, playing tag with Nala, and running up her foster mom’s arm, to position herself on her favorite place- a shoulder.
Kenzie prizes above all else her shoulder time, and loves being carried around the house, observing what the resident cats are doing.

Trixie and Nala came with 5 others (already adopted), surrendered to Empty Cafes after their young guardian could no longer care for them. They are affectionate, independent and love their adoptive sister Kenzie dearly.
The troublemaker Trixie (light gray), has crazy energy and often doesn’t know if she is looking to play, stalk, be petted, play attack or just nap. She seems to change her mind multiple times a minute, making it for an adventurous encounter always. She warms up fast, and wants to be close to humans, benefiting from all the cuddles and snacks. Her favorite pastime is lounging in a cat bed, snacking on popcorn, and watching Netflix with her foster mom at night.
Her sister Nala (dark gray) is shy at first, will stay behind, interested, but hesitant to interact immediately. Soon enough, she too will come to explore, to get snacks, and to show her friendship and desire to be petted and played with. She loves borrowing under blankets, and “digging” new tunnels under the covers. She loves her sisters Trixie and Kenzie, and oftentimes looks to use them as pillows for her afternoon naps.

Trixie and Nala were born on May 13, 2017. While we do now know the exact date Kenzie was born, or even much of her life before coming to us, our vet estimates her to be of similar age, and in good health.

We love putting in the time to get to know our new friends, and we hope to find experienced ratty adopters, who will be just as patient, to allow the girls to become more confident and develop a trusting relationship with humans. This special person or people will help the girls to show their true personalities in due time. If you think this is you, and you’re interested in adopting, please contact us at adopt@emptycagescollective.org for information on adopting protocols, as well as a link to our online adoption application.

And to see even more pictures of this lovable trio, see this dropbox picture folder:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sne3ptk8n08t92g/AACPQU4wBnSsG0HuMowGPDj0a?dl=0


Please note- it is ECC’s policy to adopt fancy rats in pairs or threes, or to homes that already have one or more, because rats are the most sociable rodents of them all. They thrive in groups, and immensely enjoy the companionship, and mental stimulation they get from others of their own species. In fact, in the wild, rats live in large, cooperative communities, and this instinct for company and socialization hasn't been altered, even with more than 100 years of domestication.