(Image: RSPCA)
Family rescue pet rats dumped in soaking wet cage - then name them after Disney characters
The animals were left behind a row of houses in Wigan last week
by Thomas George, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/authors/thomas-george/A family rescued a trio of rats they found dumped in a soaking wet cage.
The three female rodents were abandoned in their wire mesh cage sometime on Thursday night (21 May) behind a row of houses in Broadway, Wigan.
A family found the rats on Friday morning before bringing them inside, cleaning them out and calling the RSPCA.
They have now been named after three famous Disney characters.
(Image: RSPCA)
Inspector Rachel Henderson went to collect the rats. She said: “When the family discovered the rats they were inside their wire mesh cage which had no cover so the rats and everything inside was sopping wet.
“They very kindly took the cage home, cleaned it out and dried the rats off before calling us for help.
“Their daughter helped clean them out, fed them and made sure they had water.
"She decided to name them after her three favourite Disney characters: Mickey, Simba and Tayo!”
The rats are now in RSPCA care where they will be looking for new homes when they’re ready.
Inspectors are keen to hear from anyone who knows where the rats may have come from, who is responsible for abandoning them or who may have seen them being dumped.
Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
Want more news from Wigan, Atherton or Leigh? Here's where you can find it.
We now have a dedicated Facebook page bringing you all the latest news, events and community news in and around Wigan.
To keep up to date with all that is happening in Wigan, Atherton and Leigh - and to join in the discussion - follow the page here.
Reporter Tom George covers all things Wigan for the Manchester Evening News, you can follow him on Twitter here.
“We know that times are hard right now and that people’s circumstances can change meaning they may no longer be able to take care of their pets,” Rachel added.
“However, if you find yourself in this situation then the responsible thing to do is to ask for help or rehome your pets rather than abandoning them in the street.”