ADOPTION PENDING COURTESY POST: Dash, Copperfield & Houdini — three sweet boys from the Hoarding House of Horrors — are once again in search of a forever home, through no fault of their own. They are located in Frederick, MD. Dash (blaze agouti) was just a tiny baby when we met — no more than 2 months old, starving, dehydrated, and unsure how to drink from a water bottle. When he finally found bowls of food and water, the room went silent as every rat followed his lead. No more fear, no fighting — just relief. He was the first to make me cry from this case. He was so delicate, so innocent, so horrifically wronged by the human in his life. Since then, Dash and his brothers (or cousins/fathers — we will never know), Houdini and Copperfield, have come a long way. They were adopted in January, but due to unforeseen circumstances, they’re in need again. This shy trio is gentle and sweet. Houdini (Himalayan) has microphthalmia in both eyes and sometimes gently explores with his teeth, so an adult-only home would be best. Copperfield is a true rat’s rat and always leads the cuddle puddle. All three are cautious with new sounds but love climbing onto hands and spending time with their humans. They’re fans of foraging toys, snuffle mats, snack wheels — and go wild for Vitakraft teddy bear treats! Ready to give them the home they deserve? Apply here: 🔗 https://form.jotform.com/223004657598058 (fb)

📣 ❗️IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ❗️📣 Today, the very last of the rats in our care have moved on to their forever homes — and with that, we have a big announcement to share. Second Chance Heroes is officially taking a break. We plan to step away for about six months (give or take), and while this wasn’t an easy decision, it is a necessary one. ❤️‍🩹 To be completely honest with you all — the Hoarding House of Horrors case took a massive toll on us. We’ve been running on fumes for years, but the sheer number of animals, the overwhelming medical needs, and the emotional weight of it all finally caught up with us. We’re proud of what we accomplished… but we are deeply, deeply burned out. This hiatus is about healing — about protecting the future of SCH by giving ourselves the time and space to rest, reset, and rediscover the joy in rescue. We’re not walking away. We’re just pressing pause. And we will be back — stronger, more focused, and ready to write the next chapter. In the meantime, here’s what you can expect (and what you shouldn’t): 🚫 Intakes are CLOSED ⚠️ Exception may be made for labs, returns, or true emergencies 📵 We’re logging off social media for a while — email us at secondchancerats@gmail.com for anything urgent, but please allow a week (or more) for a reply. We have some posts scheduled to go up in advance so don’t be too surprised if you see us on your feed! 🐭 You might see a post here and there if rats become available or we share a courtesy post 🧡 Where to go if you need help: • Need to rehome a rat? Try Richmond Rat Club • If that doesn’t work, contact your local open-admission shelter: • Richmond: Richmond Animal Care & Control • Henrico: Henrico County Police Animal Shelter • Chesterfield: Chesterfield County Animal Services • Shelter transfer partners: please reach out to other rescues for the time being — here's a nationwide list: https://mainelyratrescue.org/rattieblog2/rat-or-small-animal-rescues/ • Found a domestic rat outside? Email photos and a location to secondchancerats@gmail.com • Found wild rats? SCH cannot legally rehab them. Join the FB group Orphaned Wild Mice and Rats or find a licensed rehabber in VA: https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/rehabilitators/ 🧡 To everyone who has stood by us — through late nights, vet emergencies, tough calls, and joyful adoptions — thank you. Your kindness, encouragement, and unwavering belief in what we do have carried us through even our darkest days. We’re so proud of the lives we’ve saved together. And we’re already looking forward to what’s next. See you soon. 🐀💫 — The Second Chance Heroes Team (fb)