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$5 a rat: City of Vancouver shelter overwhelmed with adoptable ‘fancy’ rodents

Click to play video: 'Would you adopt a rat? Vancouver wants you to try'
Would you adopt a rat? Vancouver wants you to try
WATCH: Would you adopt a rat? Vancouver wants you to try – Apr 21, 2019

The streets of Vancouver recently earned the dubious honour of being the most rat-infested in the province, but it appears the city’s animal shelter has a rat problem too.

The city says its shelter is inundated with pet-suitable rodents, and that it’s hoping to adopt them out for $5 each.

“These rats, known as fancy rats, are different from street rats. Rats can make for good pets, as they are clean, social and intelligent,” said a city spokesperson in an email.

“They can also be trained, respond to commands and are incredibly friendly. Rats also enjoy human companionship and make great pets for children.”

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They city says it has 76 pet rats at its animal shelter that have been abandoned by their owners, 41 of which are available for adoption.

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The city says it has a mix of male and female rats of all ages from “pinkies right up to seniors.”

“We will be looking to adopt the ones that are ready to go now so young males and females that are around a month old, males that are full grown and then some bonded pairs we previously had housed here before the large intake,” it says.

WATCH: Fat rat gets saved by German animal rescue crew after getting stuck

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Fat rat gets saved by German animal rescue crew after getting stuck

Because of the rats’ social nature, the city says it will only adopt them out in pairs or to people who already have pet rats.

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“We are really hoping those amazing past and present rat owners will come out of the wood works to help us out,” it said.

“While we love all creatures big and small, this amount is hard to keep up!!!”

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