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Current Diet: Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food, Fruit, Veggies
Favorite toys and activities: Hammocks, fabric hideaways. Likes exploring and figuring out how to get treats.
Potty trained: We're working on it!
This animal’s daily routine: He rests during the day and his foster plays with him in the afternoon/evenings
BFF (Does this animal have or need a friend of the same species in their home?): Gerbert prefers to live alone. If bonding is attempted, we encourage the other rat to be a spayed female.
Other species this pet has been exposed to and reaction: rats: Other rats- did not like them. Became very anxious and aggressive.
Has this animal been exposed to children? What was their reaction? None. We do not recommend he be adopted to a home with young children.
Health concerns: None
Behavioral concerns: Gerbert is shy and a little squirmy, he doesn't like to be held for long. His foster has been encouraging him to come to her lap and take treats from her hand- he will do almost anything for food! He is starting to get more comfortable around her and doesn't hide as much during free roam time. Learn more about our trust training methods at https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/trust-training
Other Notes: He currently needs a quiet, calm environment and he is easily frightened by strange noises and movements. However, he is slowly getting used to his foster and once he learns that people are friends we think he'll be a great pet.
His foster has also put clothing in the cage so he gets used to her scent. He used to try to bite her hand through the cage bars but now he only sniffs! He would not let anyone touch him for a while but now his foster can pet him for a few seconds while he licks yogurt before he runs and hides.
Update 9/19/23 - When he is playing outside the cage Gerbert will crawl on his foster's lap and take treats from her hand but he will then scurry away. He is starting to let her touch him when he's distracted by his favorite treats, but as soon as he's done eating he tries to bite or run away. His first reaction is still to bite.
Update 3/17/24- He seems to not like other male rats and seems happy living alone- however, that means he will need a lot of attention and free roam/playtime in his future home since rats are very social. He's also very smart and can remember where I put treats and can climb/jump up almost anything!!
Update 4/18/24 - Gerbert has a history of biting, but I've been trust training with him for a long time and he hasn't bit me for a while! Now I can stick my hand in the cage or pick him up and I have no fear of him biting.
Gerbert came to MN Pocket Pet Rescue as a transfer from AHS due to behavior concerns.
Due to our rescue being foster-based, not all foster homes are located in Saint Paul, MN. This animal's foster parent prefers to meet at the Petsmart - 1640 New Brighton Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413 for meet & greets, & adoptions.
Fee: Gerbert has an adoption fee of $20
We absolutely DO NOT SHIP ANIMALS! Please do not ask.
These rats have tested negative for the Seoul virus before being placed up for adoption.
Gerbert's care while in rescue has not yet been sponsored. If you would like to donate to provide veterinary care, food, bedding, and enrichment for Gerbert or other pocket pets in the care of MNPPR, please visit https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/sponsor-a-pocket-pet for more information.
Our adoption process can be found on our website here:
https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/process
Current Diet: Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food, Fruit, Veggies
Favorite toys and activities: Hammocks, fabric hideaways. Likes exploring and figuring out how to get treats.
Potty trained: We're working on it!
This animal’s daily routine: He rests during the day and his foster plays with him in the afternoon/evenings
BFF (Does this animal have or need a friend of the same species in their home?): Gerbert prefers to live alone. If bonding is attempted, we encourage the other rat to be a spayed female.
Other species this pet has been exposed to and reaction: rats: Other rats- did not like them. Became very anxious and aggressive.
Has this animal been exposed to children? What was their reaction? None. We do not recommend he be adopted to a home with young children.
Health concerns: None
Behavioral concerns: Gerbert is shy and a little squirmy, he doesn't like to be held for long. His foster has been encouraging him to come to her lap and take treats from her hand- he will do almost anything for food! He is starting to get more comfortable around her and doesn't hide as much during free roam time. Learn more about our trust training methods at https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/trust-training
Other Notes: He currently needs a quiet, calm environment and he is easily frightened by strange noises and movements. However, he is slowly getting used to his foster and once he learns that people are friends we think he'll be a great pet.
His foster has also put clothing in the cage so he gets used to her scent. He used to try to bite her hand through the cage bars but now he only sniffs! He would not let anyone touch him for a while but now his foster can pet him for a few seconds while he licks yogurt before he runs and hides.
Update 9/19/23 - When he is playing outside the cage Gerbert will crawl on his foster's lap and take treats from her hand but he will then scurry away. He is starting to let her touch him when he's distracted by his favorite treats, but as soon as he's done eating he tries to bite or run away. His first reaction is still to bite.
Update 3/17/24- He seems to not like other male rats and seems happy living alone- however, that means he will need a lot of attention and free roam/playtime in his future home since rats are very social. He's also very smart and can remember where I put treats and can climb/jump up almost anything!!
Update 4/18/24 - Gerbert has a history of biting, but I've been trust training with him for a long time and he hasn't bit me for a while! Now I can stick my hand in the cage or pick him up and I have no fear of him biting.
Gerbert came to MN Pocket Pet Rescue as a transfer from AHS due to behavior concerns.
Due to our rescue being foster-based, not all foster homes are located in Saint Paul, MN. This animal's foster parent prefers to meet at the Petsmart - 1640 New Brighton Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413 for meet & greets, & adoptions.
Fee: Gerbert has an adoption fee of $20
We absolutely DO NOT SHIP ANIMALS! Please do not ask.
These rats have tested negative for the Seoul virus before being placed up for adoption.
Gerbert's care while in rescue has not yet been sponsored. If you would like to donate to provide veterinary care, food, bedding, and enrichment for Gerbert or other pocket pets in the care of MNPPR, please visit https://www.mnpocketpetrescue.org/sponsor-a-pocket-pet for more information.
We are a foster based rescue and do not have a shelter location. To meet an animal we must have your approved application on file.
We are a foster based rescue and do not have a shelter location. To meet an animal we must have your approved application on file.
More about this rescue
MN Pocket Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) organization primarily serving the Twin Cities Metro Area, focusing on education and public outreach. Our intent is to keep all animals in their homes, with their families, whenever possible. We are committed to rescuing those pocket pets that are in jeopardy of being euthanized or are in danger of being abused, left unattended or in other types of vulnerable situations. We ensure all animals receive proper veterinary care, medication and special training for any behavioral issues, as well as to arrange safe, temporary homes for these animals until stable forever homes can be found. Our team is made up of enthusiastic volunteers who work passionately to serve the underrepresented and often misunderstood niche of pocket pets in the overall rescue community and general public.
MN Pocket Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) organization primarily serving the Twin Cities Metro Area, focusing on education and public outreach. Our intent is to keep all animals in their homes, with their families, whenever possible. We are committed to rescuing those pocket pets that are in jeopardy of being euthanized or are in danger of being abused, left unattended or in other types of vulnerable situations. We ensure all animals receive proper veterinary care, medication and special training for any behavioral issues, as well as to arrange safe, temporary homes for these animals until stable forever homes can be found. Our team is made up of enthusiastic volunteers who work passionately to serve the underrepresented and often misunderstood niche of pocket pets in the overall rescue community and general public.
