Oh, rats! 97 domestic rodents surrendered to Victoria SPCA

The Victoria SPCA is looking for homes for 97 domestic rats after their owner surrendered them due to illness.

The SPCAsays the owner is in hospital and no longer able to care for them, putting an unexpected strain on the organization's resources. And more may be coming from the same home.

Some of the rats are as young as three weeks, the SPCA said, and othersare pregnant. Victoria SPCAspokesperson LarissaJohnstonalso noted that domesticated rats are usually friendly and used to being handled.

"I like to think of them as mini-dogs. They're so intelligent, so social. They're also very food motivated so you can also teach them little tricks," Johnston said.

The organization is looking for financial donations to help with the cost of caring for the animals until homes can be found for them. People can also donate hand towels,Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food and jars of baby food.

The SPCAsays rats make popular pets, and the current set is going fast.

"We've definitely got some great applications in, so I don't think those guys will be sticking around for too long," Johnstonsaid.