A woman living in a van in San Diego with her pet rats has agreed to give them up — all 300 of them.
The San Diego Union-Tribune says the San Diego Humane Society went to the woman’s van near Del Mar on Oct. 8.
Authorities found rats had clawed into upholstery, burrowed into the seats and gnawed the engine wiring.
Capt. Danee Cook says the woman wasn’t hoarding the animals — she’d started with just two pet rats. But rats can give birth every four weeks and produce a dozen in a litter.
Cook says the woman acknowledged things had gotten out of control.
Authorities collected about 320 rats, and more than 100 are currently ready for adoption.
The woman, meanwhile, has found a new place to stay.
San Diego Humane Society is looking for homes for 140 rats recently relinquished by their owner. The rats have undergone veterinary exams and tests to make sure they are healthy, happy and ready for adoption. https://t.co/25FWv4uUkB pic.twitter.com/UVcOcCCUXf
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) October 17, 2019
Rats make GREAT pets! They are very social, smart and love to interact with humans. Because rats are social animals, we require rats to be adopted in same-gender pairs, unless you already have a resident rat. Starting tomorrow, Oct. 18, the adoption fee for a pair is $5. pic.twitter.com/1vn81JXJn5
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) October 17, 2019