Wanted: Forever Homes for Lab Rats

Looking for intelligent, playful companions? The Department of Psychology at Millersville University has eight wonderful female rats ready to find their forever homes. These friendly and good-tempered Long-Evans rats (around 7 months old) participated in a behavioral study this past spring semester and are now seeking loving families.

"Since rats are highly social creatures, we prefer to adopt them out in pairs," says Dr. Kelly Banna, associate professor of psychology at Millersville. "This means double the fun and cuddles for you. However, applications from single adopters with existing pet rats will also be considered."

Before welcoming your new furry friends, it's important to understand their needs. Banna says Marie Firestone, instructional support specialist at Millersville has created a helpful webpage packed full of information on rat care basics. This includes details on cage size, exercise equipment, bedding, hygiene and mental stimulation.

"With patience and consistency, rats can be litter-trained and learn to respond to their names," says Banna. "Make sure to set aside about an hour each day for supervised playtime outside their cage. These curious and intelligent creatures need physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy."

If you're interested in providing a loving home for these delightful rats, visit the department's webpage to learn everything you need to know about caring for them.

• Applications are being accepted now.
• Each applicant will be contacted after their application is reviewed.
• Available for adoption: Starting Monday, November 4th.
• Adoption application:rat adoption application