Rat relief: rescued rodents find new homes after adopt-a-thon

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says 350 of the 600 domestic rats rescued from a North Bay, Ont., residence in December 2016 have found new homes.

On its website, the animal welfare group said that PetSmart stores across the province held rat 'adopt-a-thons' between Jan. 21 and Feb. 12.

According to the SPCA's website, rats are very social, and the agency recommends adopting two or more so they can keep each other company.

How did the SPCA manage to adopt out hundreds of rats in just a few weeks? Listen to the interview on Up North:

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The rats were removed by the SPCA from a North Bay apartment after North Bay Fire and Emergency Services issued an order to remove the rodents from the residence.

A spokesman for the North Bay and District Humane Society said most of the rats were found running free in the apartment at the time.

Daryl Vaillancourt said a woman voluntarily surrendered nearly 600 rats that were removed from the apartment over several days and sent to other humane societies.

The 51-year-old woman who surrendered the rats in North Bay faces four Ontario SPCA Act charges.

She is accused of permitting distress, failing to provide sanitary living conditions, failing to provide care necessary for general welfare, and failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical attention.