Hi,

I don't drive & I am trying to figure out how to transport myself and my rat across to Northern Ireland for Easter - my parents are going to be there and I was hoping to see them but I am struggling with how to get there. If I drove I guess I could just pop her in the car & off we'd go on the ferry but I don't have that option.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of problem? Or any ideas????

Thanks so much for any help anybody can give me, it is very much appreciated,

Sarah

Could your parents have a spare cage that they keep there for you to use when you visit, if so then you could transport her with you in a cat carrier.

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

Thank you for replying, I'm getting myself into a proper tizz over this...I do have a cage over there and she has a carrier, but my problem is what mode of transport to use.
I can't fly with her, even if they took pets, they'd make her go in the hold & I won't put her through that so I looked at getting a coach but the National Express coaches go via Southern Ireland so I'm not sure about crossing the border with her.
I could go via ferry maybe, there are ferries from Birkenhead, Fleetwood and Stranraer but again, I'm not sure if they'd tell me I can't carry her.
However, I am certain there must be some way of doing this.

I have emailed the companies I may buy tickets from but I was wondering if anyone has any experience of travelling with rats, just for tips etc...my next question will be keeping them happy over such a long journey. It concerns me that she'll be stressed out even with me there talking to her. I am considering leaving her with a sitter but if I'm honest, I don't trust my friends to play with her as much as they should, or clean her out properly...I know they'd probably be fine but I'm a worrywort!

the best thing for you rat as well as a cat carrier would be a same sex friend!!

rats are highly socialble animals and need company of there own kind.
its not reckomended to keep a lone rat they need to live in pairs or groups so they can groom each other and cuddle up,playfight and just in general be company for each other.

rats on there own become miserable and depressed and i for one would not like to be kept on my own if i were a rat.

please get yours a couple of friends

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I'm Amy I have a
German shepherd-blade.
10 male rats.
2 male mice.
1 Syrian hamster.

info on here as to why rats should not be kept on there own


Fancy Rats | Information | Why Rats Need Company

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I'm Amy I have a
German shepherd-blade.
10 male rats.
2 male mice.
1 Syrian hamster.

I recently adopted a lone female rat, she seemed happy enough but was fairly jumpy in comparrison to my others, her former owner was a nice lady but she hadnt realised that she was better off with ratty friends. When I introduced her to the other rats she was at first terrified but she got over it very soon and within a few days she was relaxed and laid back and she really is the happiest rat I own now, she copies off the others and the joy she shows when shes being groomed is unbelievable. Humans can be loved by rats and visa versa but they cant give the rat the type of companionship they need from other rats. If you possibly can get her a ratty friend please do, you wont regret it when you see the look on her face.

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

exactly what tdm says

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I'm Amy I have a
German shepherd-blade.
10 male rats.
2 male mice.
1 Syrian hamster.

Thank you for the advice, I am getting a second rat - I should probably have made that clearer in my original post, she's coming from a breeder so I've just been waiting until she's old enough to come home. I figured as far as travelling with them, whatever counted for the one would count for the both & as she isn't here yet - although it's just days now - I didn't mention her. But thank you. I've just discovered that I can't take her, sorry, them on the coaches that go over so I guess it'll have to be the train & ferry

It is lovely that you want to take her with you, she will probably enjoy the trip. Have you got pics of her, Im not allowed any more rats )although that doesnt normally stop me ) so I have to satisfy myself with other peoples piccies. Lovely to hear that shes getting a sister and I will just neeeeeed baby rat pics when she comes to live with you.

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

how old is your current rat?

if she's quite a bit older than the baby rat your getting it would be a better idea to get 2 babys that way when your older rat eventually passes away your still left with 2.and two babys will love to play fight with each other especially if your current rat is older and doesn't want to be hassled by the baby rat!

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I'm Amy I have a
German shepherd-blade.
10 male rats.
2 male mice.
1 Syrian hamster.