[bloodrayne]

178 Rats Brought To Animal Shelter

The San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control has a rat problem.

On Thursday, 178 domestic rats, stuffed into dog carriers, were brought in.

"They're in great shape," said Melissa Flower of One at a Time Rescue, a San Francisco nonprofit. "They're very affectionate."

She said the woman who delivered the rodents found them on her lawn, in the carriers. Two injured rats and 20 pregnant ones were euthanized, along with four litters born the first night. Another rescue group has promised to take at least 80. The rest need homes.

"Rats are very social and communicative," said Flower, who has three pet rodents. "They're very extroverted. They're kind of like dogs -- they respond to you."

The bubonic plague notwithstanding, Flower said domestic rats are quite clean and don't carry disease.

Bill Hamilton, president and founder of Friends of Animal Care and Control, said, "I've never heard of anything like this before. I'm wondering whether they were from a lab. Who would keep that many rats?"

Anyone interested in adopting the homeless rodents should contact Animal Care and Control at (415) 554-6364 (located at 1200 15th St.) or consult www.oneatatimerescue.org or call the rescue group at (415) 317-1038.