My basic info
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Estimated birth date: 6/25/2020
Personality: Very shy (you are unable to touch this animal without it running away or being fearful, etc), Inquisitive, Nervous, Mouthy (puts mouth on you but does not bite down, usually thinking your fingers are food), Easily frightened
Favorite treats: Gerber cereal puffs, Freeze dried minnows, Blueberries, Peas, Yogurt, Cheerios, Sunflower seeds
Favorite toys and activities: Cuddling with his brother, Napping in empty tissue boxes, Loves the orange hammock, and chewing wood chew toys. Rizzo hangs back and really has to take time to work up the courage to come out, but he does zoomies by the cage door when he can hear his brother out on the floor.
Potty trained: We’re working on it!
This animal daily routine: Sleep all day, tucked away in a safe hiding spot. Sometimes he's interested in what his brother is doing waiting for floor time, sometimes he just wants to keep hiding. He usually gets treats around 10 am and 10 pm. We try to have play time around 7 at night where he gets to have more treats and play time with his brother.
BFF (Does this animal have or need a same species friend in their home?): Rizzo recently lost his last remaining cage mate. Rizzo should be adopted to a home with other rats.
Other species this pet has been exposed to and reaction: Housecat, he's afraid of any noise it makes.
Health concerns: Prone to URIs, Has cataracts and watching for signs of glaucoma.
Behavioral concerns: Rizzo was in our trust training program to assist him with being comfortable & trusting around hands. Learn more about our trust training methods at https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/trust-training. He has made progress and is no longer in trust training.
Other notes: Rizzo has red eyes so he can't see as well as his brother. He sways his head from side to side to get a better sense of depth perception. He's shy and easily spooked since he can't see very well but his foster has seen him hold his own against his brother in tussles- he's even the instigator sometimes! He's got a feisty confident personality somewhere underneath the uncertainty.
Rizzo made his way to MNPPR as a transfer all the way from TN where they were a part of a hoarding case.
Due to our rescue being foster-based, not all foster homes are located in Saint Paul, MN. Rizzo’s foster parent prefers to meet at the Richfield PetSmart - 1100 W 78th St, Richfield, MN 55423 for meet & greets, & adoptions.
Our adoption process can be found on our website here: https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/process
Fee: Rizzo has an adoption fee of $15
Due to health and safety concerns, we are now pursuing adoptions with additional safety measures in place. We will be asking potential adopters to discuss their individual preferences and comfort levels involving safety precautions during the greeting/adoption day step. We are HIGHLY suggesting all participants wear facial coverings, stay at least six feet apart, & use sanitization of all surfaces, and hands before and after contact.
We absolutely DO NOT SHIP ANIMALS! Please do not ask
All rats within MNPPR have tested negative for the Seoul virus before being placed up for adoption.
