potential rat adoption

Question
Hi Irene!

I've been looking to adopt a few rat companions.  One of the rats I fell in love with is older and appears to have a broken foot.  I'd really love to adopt him anyway and take him to the vet for proper care which he is clearly not getting where he is.  Is it a bad idea to adopt an older injured rat?  I feel like all the websites I've seen warn against getting older rats but if I don't adopt them they'll end up rat food or not adopted at all.  They've been where they are in a small cage for almost a year and I could offer constant attention, much more space, toys, healthy food, a much needed vet visit but people keep telling me to just get healthy baby rats and I don't know what I should do.  I'm sorry that this is long but if you have any advice I would appreciate it so much.

Answer
Please listen to your heart and not to the people that are telling you to get young healthy rats, for a rat's life tends to be short compared to larger pets such as dogs or cats, but the ability to provide a wonderful quality of life for that short time would be a wonderful and kind thing to do, and it appears that you have the means.  The joy that you will experience from rescuing these poor rats and the love they will give back to you for your kindness will be so well worth it, even if it is only for 6 months or a year.  Rats can and do live for 3 to 4 years if they are well provided and cared for coupled with good genetics.

Rats have a way of capturing our hearts and I feel strongly that if you do adopt these rats, you will not regret it.  I have many "rat friends" who ONLY rescue rats (as opposed to adopting from breeders or buying at pet stores).  They take great pride and joy in "saving" them and getting them the care they need and never regret taking in a single rat.

Ultimately the choice is yours and I have a feeling you are leaning towards taking them in, so go out and do it!  Don't wait another day as a day in the life of a rat equates to several weeks or months in human years.  

If you do decide to adopt them, I would love to hear about it!  I would also love to see pics of them, which you can attach to a reply to this question.