ROCKY POINT, NY — The rats of 'NIMH' would be proud. About 75 super smart and totally in control domestic rats are hiding out in a condemned home in Rocky Point, after evading the efforts of humans — not scientists from the National Institute of Mental Health, as detailed in the beloved children's book and movie — but rather animal rescuers trying to rescue and introduce them to a safer environment.
Since the rescue operation began around two weeks ago, 400 rats, including about 12 litters of pups, have been rescued from the home, with around 225 already placed with rescues from Maine to Virginia Beach, while the remaining roughly 150 are being held pending placement, according to Strong Island Animal Rescue.
The rescued rats have been medically treated for ear mites and bite wounds at Jefferson Animal Hospital in Port Jefferson Station, where a retired veterinarian specializing in exotic pets has volunteered to help with their care, according to the organization's co-founder, Erica Kutzing.
The rats are mostly white, though there are some that are hairless.
Rat Update
If you’re wondering about the dozens of friendly rats found in an abandoned Rocky Point, New York, house that Patch previously reported on, we have this important update:
The 75 that remained in the condemned house are stealthy, and rescuers so far have been unsuccessful in capturing them.
“They have made intricate tunnels throughout the house, whether it be through plumbing or the walls,” rescuer Erica Kutzing told Patch. “They know the house far better than we do. Yeah, and they have created a system to survive in there that we don't know about.”
She added, “This is definitely their house, and we, you know, we're the visitors.”
About 400 rats, including 12 litters of pups, have been rescued. A little more than half of them have been placed with rescuers from Maine to Virginia. The remaining rats are in the care of the Strong Island Animal Rescue.
The rescued rats have been microchipped by a veterinarian specializing in exotic pets.
Smart Rats in a Condemned House Interactive Worksheet
A Baby Rat
▶ Read the Story
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Word Bank (shuffled):
▶ True / False
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▶ “For Example”
▶ Discussion / Writing
▶ Role Play — Dialogue (18 lines)
Erica: We’ve rescued hundreds of rats from that condemned house.
Sam: That’s incredible. How many were there at the start?
Erica: Around four hundred, including about twelve litters of pups.
Sam: And some are still inside?
Erica: Yes—about seventy-five remain, and they’re extremely stealthy.
Sam: Why is it so hard to capture them?
Erica: They built intricate tunnels through walls and plumbing.
Sam: So they know the house better than the rescuers do.
Erica: Exactly. They have a survival system we don’t fully understand.
Sam: What happens to the rescued rats?
Erica: Many are placed with rescues from Maine to Virginia.
Sam: And the rest are waiting for placement?
Erica: Yes, and they’ve been medically treated for mites and bite wounds.
Sam: Who is helping with the medical care?
Erica: A veterinarian specializing in exotic pets has chipped in.
Sam: Are the rats all the same color?
Erica: Mostly white, but some are hairless.
Sam: I hope the remaining ones can be rescued soon.