Our adoption process can be found on our website here: www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/process
Hello, I'm Stairway to Heaven, your friendly neighborhood rat. My days are pretty mellow; I love munching on Cheerios, taking long naps, and just being my goofy self. My friend Devil Went Down to Georgia is the best. We have the most fun together, just hanging out and being rats. I'm a gentle soul, always ready to make a new friend or share a snack. My sweet nature makes me a great companion. I may be a little older, but I've got a lot of love to give. If you're looking for a friendly, mellow, and slightly goofy friend, then I'm your guy. Adopt me and let's start making some wonderful memories together.
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Notes from his foster - Here are Stairway to Heaven and Devil went down to Georgia. They are two bonded senior male rats in my care. There were three of them but, sadly, we had to put Knocking on Heaven’s Door down on December 30, 2024 due to health problems. I think it was stressful for these two to lose a cage mate but it’s hard to read rat emotions! However, a week later these two came down with URIs, the stress probably contributed. They have had multiple bouts of URI (upper respiratory infection) requiring a regimen of two antibiotics twice a day for 30 days. The antibiotics are flavored liquids and they are really good about taking them. I get them out for free roam time every day, this allows me to observe them and interact with them. Stairway was in the Trust Training Program for shyness. He never cared for being touched or being picked up. I do pet him a little every day. He allows some but when he’s had enough he kicks my hand away with his hind leg or puts his teeth around my finger and moves it away. Sometimes he uses his closed mouth to shove my finger away. I get the message! I don’t push it! He will jump into a box or the carrier when I need to transfer him so I am not picking him. When I have tried picking him up, he squeals and wiggles so much he has gotten away from me. Recently, when out for free time, I had to exit the room to get something and he snuck out with me and was making a Great Escape. I quickly reached down with both hands and grabbed him and carried him back to the room. He didn’t wiggle or squeal at all! So this makes me want to attempt picking him up again.
Devil has always allowed me to pick him up and hold him. He isn’t real cuddly but I can pet him for a short while. He also kicks my hand away with his hind leg when he’s had enough. He had school yard bully tendencies with Knocking, not sure why, but he doesn’t exhibit this behavior with Stairway.
It’s obvious to me they didn’t grow up with being close to people. They have made progress and I know their quirks and they trust me. They are currently very healthy and active. They have been using a litter box about 80% of the time since I got them! They have great appetites. They eat a dry rat chow and I feed them breakfast and dinner consisting of baked sweet potato, frozen peas and uncooked pasta. They also love grapes, cheerios, cooked oatmeal and Gerber baby puffs for treats. Senior rats are prone to kidney disease so I am careful to follow a diet that inhibits this. Thank you for caring and sponsoring these two sweet guys!
Estimated birth date: 1/16/23
Personality: Curious, Energetic, Friendly toward other animals, Hesitant, Sweet, Very shy (you are unable to touch this animal without it running away or being fearful, etc)
Favorite treats: Cheerios, Gerber baby puffs, scrambled egg.
Current Diet: Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food, Fruit, Veggies
Favorite toys and activities: Skinny apple sticks chews. Exploring.
Potty trained: Litter box trained
This animal’s daily routine: Breakfast at 7:00 am, dinner at 4:30 pm. Free roam time around 3:00.
BFF (Does this animal have or need a friend of the same species in their home?): Stairway to Heaven and Devil Went Down to Georgia are a bonded duo and must be adopted together.
Other species this pet has been exposed to and reaction: Dog- curious
Has this animal been exposed to children? What was their reaction? None
Health concerns: He has had 2 courses of antibiotics for URI since coming into the rescue but he is not on any maintenance antibiotics.
Behavioral concerns: Stairway to Heaven and Devil Went Down to Georgia are in our trust training program for general shyness. Learn more about our trust training methods at https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/trust-training
Note from his foster: Stairway to Heaven is still in Trust Training for shyness. He has progressed a little. He allows petting, but usually only when he is sleeping.
He doesn’t like to be picked; he squeals and has gotten away from me so I don’t attempt it. He has a great appetite and I am watching what he eats because he has slowed down with age and I don’t want him to get chubby. He is a sweet guy otherwise. Sometimes if I am trying to pet him too much he kicks my hand away with his rear leg or he mouths my finger. He is gentle and does not bite. He has had multiple bouts of URI which responded to an antibiotic regimen. I am always watching for symptoms of URI but he continues to be healthy.
Stairway to Heaven and Devil Went Down to Georgia came to MNPPR when their previous owner was no longer able to keep up with care.
Due to our rescue being foster-based, not all foster homes are located in Saint Paul, MN. This animal's foster parent prefers to meet at the PetSmart - 18050 Zane St NW, Elk River, MN 55330 for meet & greets, & adoptions.
Fee: Stairway to Heaven and Devil Went Down to Georgia have a combined adoption fee of $25
We absolutely DO NOT SHIP ANIMALS! Please do not ask.
Stairway to Heaven's care while in rescue has not yet been sponsored. If you would like to donate to provide veterinary care, food, bedding, and enrichment for STH or other pocket pets in the care of MNPPR, please visit https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/sponsor-a-pocket-pet for more information.
