Adopt pet rats
Thinking about adopting rats from Woodgreen? Here’s everything you need to know before getting started.
Are rats the right pet for me?
Whether you’re new to rats, or you’ve experienced the joy of owning them before, getting a new pet is always a big decision.
To learn more about caring for rats, visit our ‘Which small pets are right for me?’ page.
Read on to learn more about rats’ needs and our adoption process. This is your first step towards possibly meeting a new furry friend!
Here’s what rat ownership involves
Preparing for rats
Thinking of adopting rats from Woodgreen? Before you apply, it’s worth taking some time to read through our ‘Caring for rats’ guide. It covers everything from diet and housing to behaviour and health — so you can feel confident you’re ready to give your rats the life they deserve.
What caring for rats looks like
Here’s what to factor in:
Lifespan
Lifespan
Rats live for around 2-3 years.
Monthly costs
Monthly costs
Rats cost around £35 a month for a trio (includes bedding, food and toys).
Veterinary care
Veterinary care
Common health conditions include breathing issues, lumps, heart problems and parasites.
Insurance
Insurance
Pet insurance is worth considering for rats. It won’t cover everything, but it can take the edge off unexpected treatment costs. Shop around to find a policy that works for you and your rats.
How to give your rats a great life
To adopt rats from Woodgreen, you need to be able to give them the space, company and care they need to thrive.
Accommodation – Room to roam
Rats are extremely inquisitive. In fact, they take the word to a whole new level! They love nothing more than climbing, exploring and learning about their surroundings. So, that’s why it’s really important you provide your rats with a suitable sized enclosure, and it should include plenty of fun things to keep them fit and healthy.
A group of 3-4 rats will need an enclosure measuring at least 80cm (h) x 50cm (d) x 80cm (w).
A typical rat cage set up for up to four rats
A group of up to 10 rats will need an enclosure measuring at least 123cm (h) x 63cm (d) x 93cm (w) – not including the stand.
A typical rat cage set up for up to 10 rats
Learn more about ideal rat accommodation.
Rat companionship
Rats are social butterflies and should always live in a minimum of a trio to truly thrive. They are happier and more relaxed when they have a group of other rats to live, play and sleep with.
If you have any questions, our team can help.
Here’s what we’ll ask from you
To ensure every rat goes to a safe, happy and suitable home, here’s what we need to see:
- Appropriate accommodation that meets at least the minimum size requirements (more space is always better!)
- Enrichment and setup in line with our care guide, to support natural behaviours and wellbeing.
- Companionship of the same species, if you’re not adopting a bonded trio or group from us.
- Photos of your setup, including tape measurements so we can confirm sizing.
- A willingness to work with us and take on any advice or small changes needed to meet our standards.
If you want advice on bonding at home, we can offer advice on bonding your rats at home via a free telephone consult with our Small Animal Behaviour and Training Specialist, so please get in touch.
Travel arrangements
You’ll need to arrange your own travel to our centre in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire – unfortunately, we’re not easily accessible by public transport.
What happens next
After you apply, we’ll give you a call within two days. If we are unable to reach you, we will send you an email, so please check your junk mail as sometimes our emails end up there.
Frequently asked questions
View our full small pet adoption FAQs
Are rats the right pet for me?
Are rats the right pet for me?
Rats are wonderful companions, but they’re often misunderstood as low-maintenance pets. The truth is, they’re not!
Here are a few things to think about before you apply:
- Rats live for around 2-3 years.
- They need lots of space with lots of bedding, toys and enrichment.
- Rats need to live in trios or groups.
- A trio costs around £35 a month to care for.
Not sure if rats are the right pet for you? Our guide to choosing the right small pet species is a great place to start.
How much does it cost to adopt rats from Woodgreen?
How much does it cost to adopt rats from Woodgreen?
- Single rat (to be mixed with owner’s rats) – £17.00
- Pair of rats (to be mixed with owner’s rat/s) – £25.00
- Each additional rat – £8.00
If you use our onsite mixing service, we ask for a donation of your choosing once the mix is successful, on top of the rehoming fee.
I’m looking for a friend for my rat – can you help?
I’m looking for a friend for my rat – can you help?
Mixing at home
If you’d like to handle the introductions yourself, our behaviour and training specialists can provide free expert guidance throughout the whole process. From choosing the right mixing method to knowing behaviours to watch for, and how to move forward if things go well – they’ll be with you every step of the way.
Book a call with one of our behavioural and training specialists.
Mixing at our centre in Godmanchester
If you’d prefer to leave it to us, our specialists will handle the introductions at our centre. Once your setup has been approved, we’ll add you to our waiting list and be in touch when we have a suitable match. On the day, you’ll need to bring your rat/s to us, and we’ll carry out a quick health check before getting started. We may need more than one session to find the right match.
If mixing doesn’t work out, we’ll help you find another potential companion.
How long does the adoption process take?
How long does the adoption process take?
Once you’ve submitted your application, we aim to get back to you within two days – though it may be a little longer during busy periods.
From there, timelines can vary depending on your setup approval. If you’re using our onsite mixing service, the number of bonding sessions to find the right match will also be a factor.
It’s worth starting your application as soon as you’re ready to begin the process.
I've seen some rats on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
I've seen some rats on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
Once we’ve reviewed your application and approved your setup, we’ll talk to you about the rats we have available at that time. You can then reserve your preferred one/s. Because of this, your preferred rat/s when applying may not be available by the time your setup has been approved.
Can I reserve a specific rat before my setup is approved?
Can I reserve a specific rat before my setup is approved?
Unfortunately not. We can only let you reserve a rat once your application has been reviewed and your setup approved. At that point, we’ll talk you through who we have available and you can choose from there.
Keep in mind that rats you have your eye on when you apply may have been rehomed by the time your setup is approved. So we’d encourage you to apply as soon as you’re ready to start the process.
Ready to adopt a rat?
Once you feel ready to adopt, you can start your application.
If you don’t have everything in place just yet, that’s fine! You just need to show you’re willing to work with us to create the best home for your rats.