SPCA rehomes a large number of house rats from a property in Whanganui and brings some by ferry to Christchurch

“The vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, cameras and water tanks and the SPCA scientific team provided support to ensure the rats’ welfare was maintained during transport.”

The Bluebridge and Interislander ferry services allow pets to be carried on board provided they are accommodated in the vehicle.

Whanganui residents took in the rats while they waited to be put up for adoption.

“The SPCA is very grateful to the people of Whanganui who have volunteered to open their homes to foster rats and provide them with safety and protection until they find new homes.

“The SPCA reminds pet owners of the importance of neutering all pets.”

Female rats can typically reproduce up to six times a year and their litters consist of six to twelve young.

Animals adopted by the SPCA are neutered to help combat the nationwide overpopulation caused by unwanted litters.

In the months following the rat raid, the Whanganui SPCA posted on its Facebook page that its centre had “beautiful baby rats” available for adoption.

“Consider adopting one of the many rats we currently have at the center.”

Other articles have shown that rats are very intelligent, sociable and affectionate pets; they can learn tricks, respond to their name and understand commands.

At the time of the lift, Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called to assist.

Whanganui Fire Service senior station officer Shane Dudley said firefighters had taken air samples inside a hut to check whether it was safe to enter.

“We just checked whether it was safe for people to go in and then gave them some advice on ventilation.”

He couldn’t say how many rats were in the house.

At the time, Pip Lamb, head of the SPCA inspection team, said SPCA teams had visited a property in the Whanganui area and their presence was part of an “active investigation”.

When asked this month, a spokeswoman said the SPCA had no further comment on the reasons for the release of the rats or the outcome of the investigation.

Rat urine and feces can transmit diseases and cause airborne viruses that are dangerous to humans if inhaled.

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health issues and general news. She started as a reporter in 2023.