KathyM

Yes they do although one is currently being treated for a respiratory infection and they are unlikely to be homed before Xmas because of this (seems to have been a long term chronic problem and has associated loss of weight/condition). It will be a long haul with those two - they want to be friends but are still very frightened, and it's a fine balance when stress can contribute to the health side of things. I would consider splitting them if it meant that the healthy girl could go to a new home, but will only do this if the poorly girl is not going to be homable (because she will stay permanently if that is the case). Ideally she will recover and they will get homed together, although they've been here a couple of weeks and we're still struggling to get any weight on her.

:flowers:I've posted a thread on here so fingers crossed! If you want to drop me an email at [email protected] with your details in that would be ace.

Hiya - I don't drive sadly but can easily get to Leeds/Bradford on the train if that is any help. If you're a member of any of the rat forums you could post for a "rat train" if you like? I will post on here for help too.

We believe she is about a year old, but that is an estimate. ps. Highly approve of your signature.

Not one enquiry for these gorgeous rats. However, we are putting Mick and Keith's rehoming on hold as their health problems could be permanent.

I currently have 5 rats who need new homes, from two different situations. The first story (and probably the most shocking) is that of Mymble and her two sons, who came to me after their owner gave me half a day's notice to come and get them. Unfortunately they were living in diabolical conditions and are all thin. Mymble had been overbred to a massive extent (in fact it is likely she is related to Jinx, a previous foster and MelP's girls that she got from us) after her owners bought her and her brother in the petshop. Sadly Mymble's other kittens were taken off her far too young and given to the petshop - God knows what happened to them but it is unlikely that they survived. The boys we did manage to bring home are also, even more shockingly, seemingly going through drug withdrawal, which gave them their obvious names of Mick (roan) and Keith (hooded). They will remain here until they are fit and healthy enough to home. Mymble is in far better condition (amazing considering!) and will be ready to home within 3 weeks as long as she is not pregnant. Mymble is far more outgoing than the boys, although this may be down to their current condition and what they're going through. The boys are looking for a very understanding home to help them come out of their shell. Mymble, who is much more outgoing, and is looking for a new home with other girls. I am told all of these rats are around a year old (with the boys being younger obviously). Mick and Keith The Mymble The other story is of two champagne capped does (yet to be named) who were dumped on a lady's doorstep earlier this week in poor conditions. They are undergoing treatment for respiratory problems and will be rehomed once they are fit and healthy. Both are very shy girls under 6 months old by the looks of it. Pics to follow when they come out of hiding!

Another unsupervised child, another news story. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-girl-bitten-on-face.5800247.jp This has just been on Look North - mum was upstairs, the daughter stroked the dog while it was asleep in bed according to the daughter. Dad urging people not to get Staffies. Mentioned the DDA being under review.

Gosh he's a bit of a numpty isn't he? Wonder whether he's ever read any breed bite statistics, if I remember correctly, in most I've read the trusty labrador he says people should be forced to choose came out worse than the pit bull?

They are beautiful. Honey is a silver fawn, love that colour.

Would you Adam and Eve it, these are now all reserved (ok well two are staying, but with good reason). The hairlipped doe and the blue doe will remain here as very much loved pets, as I really didn't feel comfortable with them getting passed on again after so many homes. When the others got reserved, that decision was easier to make!

I have 8 fosters here that came to me when their old owner couldn't cope with his numbers any more. They arrived filthy and needed treatment for parasites, but otherwise are gorgeous, friendly girls with striking looks to boot. They range between 6 months and a year old. Dumbo roan doe with slight hair lip - no dental issues, possible injury in the nest according to the experts. 1 year old and has been through several homes already through no fault of her own, must stay with blue doe below as she has been through the same with her. Blue dumbo doe. Gorgeous temperament, some hair loss (probably from mites), so she will stay for observation for now. Must go with doe above. This one is mummy to all the below - nicknamed Yummy for obvious reasons. Under 9 months old and must be homed with one or more of her daughters. All the following are Yummy's daughters and were born 26th May according to the forums they were talked about on. Dumbo roan doe - spotty and very striking markings. Gorgeous temperament. Black capped doe - ace markings and seriously funny personality. Blue capped doe - torn ear and several small bite wounds after fight with another rat, this little girl has such a forgiving personality and is very sweet. Agouti badger dumbo doe - dead laid back this one, loves a cuddle. Dumbo roan doe - very inquisitive and friendly. RESERVED. Please contact me if you would like to offer some of these does a home.

I will have more details once they arrive and have been checked/quarantined as necessary but I have potentially 8-9 female rats coming to me as fosters over the next few days. There are a mix of varieties and they will be split for homing into pairs/groups. I will update with more details as soon as possible. All homes will be required to fill out an application form and sign a rehoming agreement.

If there's anything at all I can do, I should be seeing him this week to pick up some foster rats. xx

Perhaps that needs broaching with him gently then as he's a very young lad with good intentions and a good heart by the looks of it, he won't be aware that he's jeopardising anything, quite the opposite. I know I'm not normally one for advocating considered sensitivity in action (lol), but he's just a kid, and one who means well.

Agree completely if that's the case, but the chap who works there is a nice lad and isn't out for trouble - he's very young and that's why I said "apparently". I hope he won't get stick for trying to be a decent lad. It must be very hard for him taking care of these dogs and knowing they'll be PTS.

There are some very interesting comments being made on another forum by a member of staff at the kennels where these dogs are currently being held. Apparently the female is pregnant, and the police have estimated their measurements from outside the kennels rather than measuring them properly. Despite this, one of the dogs has been identified as 1/4 pit bull by the police. Don't know how relevant any of that is, but it doesn't give me any faith in Bradford Police. Mind you, I didn't have any faith in them anyway!

Thanks ever so much for that Mrs Mog! With Sidney the main issues are the shaking and cowering/slinking, then the crying/howling/yapping when out and about. I think this effects how well he interacts with other dogs too, we hadn't put the spat he had with another dog down to fear (the other dog, an Irish Terrier type, literally walked like John Wayne with intent up to him and he fought back when it started on him) but I think it's worth considering. He had his first "dose" this aft and obviously too early to report any findings, but so far he seems less shaky and he was calmer on his walk. Saying that, one of the kids ust raised their voice and he's now inside Baz's recliner chair.

Yep, I think the spray is more effective from what I've read? Still, it arrived this morning along with his Zylkene so we'll get cracked on with it.

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Very pleased she's home! Hope she's none the worse for her night out!

I can't thank you all enough, I will try everything that's been recommended. I have bought a couple of trial packs (20 days worth) of Zylkene to give it a go, and also some DAP spray. Will look for a bandanna for him too (anyone here selling them?).

Thanks Celeste - that's really helpful. The reasoning behind a low end treatment for him is to help cut through the stress to be effective in other ways (like the training). At the moment he is a very stressy animal and I think we need to get him chilled a bit to know he *can* be chilled and won't die from it. At the moment, he shakes a lot, self-barbers, cowers with mid to high level noise (even happy noise) and pees in "submission" (rolls on back, pees in air). He is overly sensitive inside and out on walks. He's desperate to please but it's awful seeing him grovel and cringe as he has no need to here.

Hi all I posted a bit about Sid's issues on T&B a while ago. More recently we decided to go ahead with neutering as although there was the risk of lowering his confidence further, we felt that his nads were causing him more stress than good. He is now 11 days post neutering and finally has the collar off. However, the vet has suggested that we consider some of the lower end treatments for Sid's stress due to him plucking hair off his legs (not just the shaved one) and his fear/stress issues at home and out and about. The vet has given us a leaflet about the DAP collar and Zylkene and I wondered if anyone has used either of these and how they worked for your dogs? Diet wise Sid is on Naturediet but is nibbling a lot. Vet thinks it's stress related as there's no skin condition. Didn't know if there was a particular food for stressy dogs, or if it's worth trying him on something else, eg. Orijen, or JWB grain free? Thanks Kathy

Thank you ever so much you lot, I haven't been about much but have a lot to update on. I'm going to need some experiences of meds/diet too, so am going to post in general but thank you all so much fr the help.

I understand they have to do that if they still have a registered owner, but legally he is not their dog any more as they didn't respond to the dog warden. It seems mad that they would give them a chance to respond in these cases. Saying that as yet we don't know who he is registered to. I have just got back from the vets with his microchip number.

Thanks - the problem we will have is that he is not registered to this previous owner on the microchip, he was already chipped when he adopted him from the pound. Presumably the owner who *did* chip him didn't respond to the dog warden.