These rats were let loose by the Farmington river a few months ago and we’re doing what we can to save the ones that were caught after the horrible extermination attempt. There were originally 175 rats set loose. About 60 of them were saved over the course of the next two days. They first went to another rescue, but after some conflict in the rescue committee they were forced to be turned out, and now they are with me! For more info here are some links to stories:
Rats discovered by river
Story hits channel 3 news when town officials attempt shotgun extermination
follow up story after many of the rats have been killed and wounded
beginning of the rat rescue
THANKS FOR HELPING!
As you can probably guess, I need lots of help to get these kids into proper housing. I need cages, food and other supplies. Donations can be sent to The Harmony House at 21 Bank St, Winsted, CT, 06098. Checks can be made to the Harmony House and sent to that address, or I accept paypal. Many thanks to the following people for donating…your help is making this continued rescue effort possible. (I decided to not use your last names for security reasons)
* Noreen
* Lynn
* Rose
* Melissa
* April
* Karen
* Donna
* Sharon
* Rebecca
* Kathryn
* Laurie
* Andrew
* Vivian
* Anita
* Eunice
* Susan
* Nancy
* Marie
* Janet
* Lindsay
* Judith
* Sheryle
* Jay
* Susan C
* Annie
Anonymous wrote,
I was so pleased to hear that the rats were rescued. I know that domesticated rats make wonderful pets and they should have NEVER been let loose to fend for themselves. You are wonderful to do such a kind thing. I hope you can find good homes for these little guys. Thanks for your kindness. Best wishes.
Link | August 12th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Kyla wrote,
Wow I cannot believe someone would let those cuties to fend for themselves. I myself have 4 rats and would never dream of letting one go. I really hope you find homes for the cuties. Good luck and thanks. These animals could not have made it without your kindness. God Bless
Link | August 15th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Emily Kinn wrote,
I was appalled to hear of the release and the attempted extermination of these rats. Thank you for rescuing them and stopping the cruelty of those ignorant individuals who believed they were best dead. Please know that the rat community is rallying behind you and we will do all we can to help your efforts to find these sweet creatures homes.
Thank you!
Link | August 15th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Holly wrote,
Thank you for what you are doing for those abandoned pets.
Have you contacted any rat rescues such as Kim’s Ark to see if they can help?
Link | August 17th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Arlene wrote,
We have shared our home with rats for about 18 years now. Naturally, when we heard about this we were appalled! I’ll never understand how people can be so totally irresponsible. Thanks so much for coming to their rescue!
Link | August 17th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Rodere Rat Rescue wrote,
We just wanted to say that we wish you the best of luck in placing the rats in good homes! What a horrible thing for someone to do, and then such a brutal extermination attempt that just makes it worse. Had it been another type of animal, such as a group of dogs, such an attempt is unlikely to have occured. There should be more people rallying for justice for these neglected pets, no matter their species.
Rodere Rat Rescue
Kentucky
Link | August 17th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Karen wrote,
Thank you for helping these ratties.
Please post information for how to send a donation.
Karen
Link | August 17th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
sharry wrote,
I’m so happy that so many people care! I’m curious to know where you are all getting this story from and how you all know that I have these rats since most of you don’t seem to be from CT. Anyhow in answer to the question concerning donations, thank you very much for wanting to help! Donations can be sent to the Harmony House at 21 Bank st, Winsted, CT 06098. Any help at all is sincerely appreciated and makes a big difference in helping these kids get good lives. Thank you!
Link | August 17th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
NEESAN wrote,
Thank you sooo much for rescuing these rats,
its not their fault that someone dumped them,
I hope they all fing good and loving homes,
neesan x
UK.
Link | August 18th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Genevieve wrote,
God bless you guys for saving these poor babies. I have four rats of my own, and I would even take more if I was closer to you (I’m in FL). Thank you for saving them, you’ve made a big difference in their life, its not often you find people who will care for so many orphaned rats.
Link | August 19th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Sharon Parker wrote,
Thank you for saving these little guys. If you could e-mail me any response please let me know if you have paypal or a way to take electronic donations. I wish we could come adopt some rats but we took in some former feeders and have two litters of our own right now.
I’m glad you took these ratties in!
Link | August 19th, 2007 at 10:55 am
kristen wrote,
i am currently looking for a pet rat to join my boy that i have now, please send me some information on the males you have. do you have any young ones? (as to not threaten the dominance of mine)… and any of them sick? thank you for being decent enough to do this for an under appreciated pet.
kristen
Link | August 19th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
melissa wrote,
Hi!
I’m so glad you took in these sweeties. I sent you a donation to help them out via paypal. It’s not a huge amount, but I wanted to help out as much as I could afford to.
Give them all some scritches and cookies from all the rats folks in other states.
Melissa
Link | August 20th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
seitanicvegan wrote,
I am a long-time rat lover (and vegan), and I applaud you for what you are doing. What happened to these rats is absolutely reprehensible.
Link | August 22nd, 2007 at 3:41 am
Lisa wrote,
I currently own 6 rats and I know they make the best pets. Thank you so much for taking these guys, that other wise would have died, in. If I had the room and time I would gladly foster a few of them.
Link | August 22nd, 2007 at 6:44 am
twitch wrote,
thank you so much for taking them all in and supporting them in their time of need. even if those people hadn’t have shot at them they probably would not have survived long enough to even have their babies as domestic rats can hardly be expected to survive in the wild any better then a pampered toy poodle.
the rat community knows about you and your work and are spreading the word to try to help find homes and donations. i’m sure i can speak for all of us when i say we all commend you for your efforts and care. good luck! i hope they’ll all have happy endings.
Link | August 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Rattie Love Rescue wrote,
Thank you for all you’ve done to save these wonderful creatures! I hope you’re spared too many litters, but I know for sure that’s often not the way it turns out. Still, we’ll keep our fingers crossed.
Rattie Love Rescue in Ohio
(Have heard about you from a variety of rat communities.)
Link | August 27th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Vanessa wrote,
Thank you so much.
Many people are making efforts to get the word out about this rescue.
Link | August 30th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
kristen wrote,
i want the little black one!
Link | September 3rd, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Laurie Squire wrote,
You are a good person to rescue these rats! I cannot give much but would like to make some donation–how and where?
Link | September 4th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Tara Bowen wrote,
Hi,I run a small animal rescue in PA. I also breed rats. If I can help in any way please let me know. I would be happy to house some of your rescued rats and find them new homes thruogh my rescue if you are over run. My e-mail is ratznmore@yahoo.com.
Link | September 5th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Tiffany wrote,
Ieee…so many! It’s wonderful that you took them! Thank you so much for saving so many lives and caring.
I don’t know where this rescue is but I’d be happy to take a pair of girls.
Link | September 5th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Drusilla wrote,
Stories like this break my heart. Thank you for saving these rats, even though it must be becoming an overwhelming burden to you. Rat lovers are some of the kindest, most generous people I know so I’m sure many will rally behind you to help.
Link | September 6th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Georgia wrote,
Please email me and tell me how I can help - I have 3 rats so can’t adopt more, but I’d like to help in any other way I can!!
Link | September 6th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Syd wrote,
I am so glad that you are taking care of these poor rats. I can’t believe someone would dump them in the woods. Kudos to you for looking after all these rats even when you got the litters. It must be tons of work.
Link | September 9th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Nancycccslp wrote,
$25 just went into your Paypal from me.
For those who are not sure how to paypal, look on the right side of the page for the link to “become a shelter supporter” and go from there.
Link | September 11th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Janet Bolan wrote,
God bless you for taking in these rats. I pray they will find the loving homes they deserve. I just emailed your webpage designer that I can help with transport. Scritches from our 14 rats and us to you and yours.
Link | September 11th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Phyllis & Davina Mason wrote,
Thank you so much for taking in all those poor little creatures. We would take some, except we just rescued 6 ratties that were thrown out of a car window last week. We run a very small scale rodent rescue ourselves. We have 14 rats, 3 guinea pigs, a mouse and 16 degus. Don’t think our house could hold anymore. I wish we lived closer though. We’d love to go over and help you with the physical work. god bless you for your kindness!
Link | September 11th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Cara Jo wrote,
Thank you for doing all this for the rats! My rat passed away today. Seeing the babies put a smile to my face. Your generosity is overwhelming.
Link | September 12th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Shaz wrote,
I think it is great what you are doing. And there is a huge community of wonderful people backing you up. I personaly have seen what the rat community can do, so even if it seems like an impossible task things will come together! I will help out where I can! Shaz
Link | September 13th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
SC wrote,
You are doing a wonderful thing to rescue these poor abandoned rats. We have cats, so I will not be able to take any personally, however, they do make super pets, and people should know this. I’ve sent a contribution via PayPal to assist in the rescue and adoption efforts. Good Luck!
Link | September 15th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Jeannine Willson wrote,
I wished I could take some in, but I have 6 that I am trying to get to the Chicago area from here in Maysville, Ky. … Because I am moving into an apt. complex that doesn’t allow ANY type of rodents for pets … It REALLY saddens my heart and I miss my babies already … Looking at these pictures of these BEAUTIFUL ratties and their babies, just tickles my heart to see them … *Smiles*
THANK YOU for stepping up and taking them in and I pray that you find homes for all of them that you are seeking homes for …*Smiles*
Sincerely, Jeannine
Link | September 15th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Lizzette Schley wrote,
Bless you for saving all of these beautiful ratties. I cannot believe that someone would do this to their ratties. I have 5 gorgeous girls and couldn’t dream of EVER doing such a thing. You aer truly an angel for taking them all and being so wonderful with them. I wish I could take a few off your hands here in CA. Thank you for all that you do!
Link | September 18th, 2007 at 11:11 am
carol s wrote,
I want to thank you for stepping up and taking these little rats in and giving them the safety, food, and shelter they so desperately needed. The world needs more people like yourself, doing what you know in your heart is the right thing to do even though you haven’t dealt with rats before. I applaud you and your efforts. And I hear you have met a lot of good rattie people during this project. Keep up the great work.
Link | September 21st, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Syd wrote,
Hi Sharry,
Once again, thanks for doing this for the rats. My boys are just getting settled in… the quarantining of “Generation Colebrook” is underway =) Good luck with all the rats I unfortunately wasn’t able to take home.
Syd
Link | September 23rd, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Sarah wrote,
Bless you and thank you for saving these rats. I rescue rats on a small time basis and have had rats for most of my life. They are like little dogs. with so much love to give. You are an angel on earth for taking them in.
I have 14 rats right now, but as the saying goes… Whats one more?
I would love to adopt a little girl.
Thank you again for your selfless work!!!
Link | September 25th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Amanda wrote,
I would love to foster 2 rats if needed right now I have four male rats and would love to help out until a perminat home can be found.
Link | September 26th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Michaela wrote,
You are so amazing for doing this, it’s good to hear about people being so compassionate for these animals. They are smart, sweet, loving creatures that never seem to get the respect they deserve.
Could you email me some information about adopting some of these little cuties? I currently have two older male rats but would love to take in a couple younger ones to help out.
Link | September 27th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Jennifer Gloria wrote,
Amen for what you have done for these poor babies! As a General Manager of a Kennel and Grooming Store here in Arizona, I am a animal lover! I own three rattlets myself! If I had a way to come get one more boy I would be there in a heart beat! I hope you find enough homes for these ratties! God Bless you!
Link | October 4th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Marissa wrote,
Hi. God Bless You for stepping in and helping these poor babies. I don’t know what you need besides money, which I am not able to help you with at the moment but I do have some old cages that, with a little love,could make great houses for them. They are my old ferret, bunny, and bird cages. if you want any, I probably have 3 or 4 or more that I am not using right now, please contact me and we can arrange for you to get them, They probably need some screening or such to make them rat proof but otherwise they are OK. Looking forward to hearing from you, Marissa.
Link | October 4th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Sarah wrote,
I emailed you last month and I would love to adopt one of your ratties. I have (I think) 14, I always loose count
I would love to take one and give it a great home. I live in NH. I am sure that you are very busy, so if you have time please email me. Thank you! and Thank you for taking in these sweet creatures in thier time of need!! You are awesome, and the world needs more people like you!! xo
Link | October 6th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Sydney wrote,
Bless you for being there for not only these rats, but all the critters in your care - past, present and future. I just popped $20 into your paypal account. It’s not much, but I hope it helps keep your efforts to re-home these ratties going strong!
Link | October 12th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Julie D. wrote,
I certainly hope that the person/people responsible for dumping these helpless animals are held accountable for what they’ve done. It is simply an in-humane act for anyone to leave helpless critters by a riverbank, exposing them to other animals and the elements. I realize that many people may not be fond of rats, but for those that are pet-rat owners know how smart, fun and loving they can be. I am so glad to hear that so many people are helping in the rescue. I sure hope all of the rats go to good homes and get a chance to be loved! Great job to everyone involved with the Colebrook Rescue!
Link | November 16th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Shari J Wells wrote,
Sharry, I understand you still have many rescue rats. I would like to help you financially by having a raffle for the little ones. I know it takes money to keep them going, I, and certainly others, want to help also.
email me and we can get this going!
Shari J
Link | January 21st, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Amanda wrote,
Those poor ratties!!
Its a really good thing theres people like you 
Are you guys coming to cali? I have a huge multistory ferret cage with only two boy rats in it! I fully support you all the way and good luck finding the ratties homes!!!
Link | January 27th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Heather wrote,
Please contact Mainly Rat Rescue! http://www.mainlyratrescue.org They will be able to help you rehome these ratties. I know you still have some of them and they are being kept outside due to lack or room. Please please contact them and get some help with them. They are lovely pets, and they could help you find homes for them.
Link | October 1st, 2008 at 12:01 am