Adoptable Pocket Pets at ARL Following Pet Store's Large Surrender

Thanks to the Animal Rescue League of Boston for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) will soon be looking for homes for hundreds of pet mice, rats, hamsters and one chinchilla, following the large surrender of more than 360 pet rodents from a Boston-area pet store at the end of April.

ARL has seen a drastic increase in "pocket pets" being surrendered in recent years. Sometimes the small animals were accidentally bred at pet stores after being mis-sexed. Additionally, small animals often have large litters and short gestation periods, resulting in a quick increase in their numbers.

ARL notes that the animals it takes in are throughly examined by a vet, and identified by sex to avoid accidental reproduction in their new homes.

People interested in adopting a pocket pet can visit ARL's Dedham or Boston locations, or check for available pets online at https://www.arlboston.org/adopt/adopt-a-pet/.