Second Chance Heroes Rat Adoptions

Home
Second Chance Heroes Rat Adoptions

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rat rescue located in Henrico, Virginia serving homeless rats in need. Want to support Second Chance Heroes?

You can view our Amazon Wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6BXNL1D7EHFD?ref_=wl_share

Donations for veterinary care and daily operational costs can be made here: https://give.secondchancerats.org/campaign/668858/donate

05/06/2026

Second Chance Heroes will be an exhibitor at the Conference in Washington D.C. July 31-August 3! 🤩

We are so excited to spend a weekend learning about animal advocacy from some of the greatest minds in the field! 🧠

Whether you are a seasoned changemaker or new to advocacy completely, the TAFA conference has something for you!
Explore workshops covering:

🏛️ Policy
🗣️ Advocacy
📚 Skill-building
🤝 Coalition building

and more!

Visit the website to plan your TAFA schedule and use discount code ESMT26 to get $10 off full
conference registration: https://cvent.me/mRA9Rr?RefId=Social+Media

And be sure to stop by the Second Chance Heroes table to learn about the unique challenges that rats face and how YOU can create a better future for them! 💪🐭

We’ll see you there!

03/06/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS, rat fam! Our NEW merch store is OFFICIALLY OPEN!! 🐀✨

You can now shop all our Second Chance Heroes goodies right here: 👉 https://www.secondchancerats.org/category/all-products

Whether you want to rep your love for rats or support our mission, this is the place to do it! Every purchase helps us continue giving rats the second chances they deserve. ❤️

And be on the lookout! Rumor has it we might have new designs coming soon! 👀

⚠️ PSA: We're brand new to this whole online shop thing, so if you run into any hiccups — a broken link, a glitchy page, anything at all — PLEASE let us know! Drop us a message and we'll do our best to sort it out. We appreciate your patience as we find our feet! 🙏

Happy shopping! 🛍️🐀

17/05/2026

When Belial was rescued from a large scale hoarding case earlier this year, he struggled to adjust to a “normal” life. All he had ever known was fear, hunger, and pain. He was terrified of people. He was even terrified of other rats.

That is, until he met Apple Jack.

Apple Jack came to us from a research facility. Where Belial was withdrawn and afraid, Apple Jack was brave, outgoing, and full of love. She took him under her wing. Because of her, Belial is learning that not every rat will fight him for food, that humans can be gentle, and that he is finally, truly safe. ❤️‍🩹

He no longer screams when a hand comes near. He takes treats gently now. He lets himself be pet. For a rat who came from where he did, that is everything.

Belial was neutered in February and both he and Apple Jack are ready for their forever home. They must be adopted together as a bonded pair, and may be open to introductions with other females down the road.

These two have already changed each other's lives. Now they're ready to change yours. If you can offer them a calm, loving home, we would love to hear from you. 💛

Apply to adopt Belial and Apple Jack: https://form.jotform.com/223004657598058

28/04/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to see us at RavenCon this weekend! We had such an amazing time meeting everyone and hearing all about the rats you have loved in your life. 🥰

We are immensely grateful to everyone who stopped by the table, took a flyer, watched our presentation, grabbed a rat fortune, and/or donated! Your support raised over $300 for rats in need! 🎉

We were so honored to be asked to attend this year, thank you to everyone who made it such a special experience! We hope to see you again next year!

15/04/2026

Rat fortunes. Cosmic horror. And a talk about rats that will change the way you see them forever!

We are so excited to announce that Second Chance Heroes is the benefiting charity of the 48-hour Cthulhuthon at RavenCon in Richmond, VA next weekend April 24–26! 🐀

Come find us in the gaming room all weekend: stop by our table, play some games, and draw a rat fortune from the chalice of destiny.
(No, we won’t explain that part any further — you have to come to find out!)

And on Saturday, don't miss our presentation — Monsters by Design: Rats, Media, and the Cost of a False Narrative — a deep dive into how decades of film, television, and games have shaped the way we think about rats, and what that costs in real lives.

Tickets at the link below. The rat council is expecting you.
🔗 ravencon.com

11/04/2026

Auriel is one of our resilient survivors from the NY hoarding case, and she’s still waiting for her happily ever after 💜

She lives with her two younger sisters, Cydaea and Nephalem, and trust us, life with these three is never boring!

Auriel takes daily medication for heart failure, which she absolutely LOVES. Unfortunately for her, so do her sisters😅 They will shamelessly sn**ch her medicated baby puffs right out of her mouth if we aren’t fast enough putting unmedicated treats in front of them. No boundaries. No regrets. Just crime.

Despite the daily drama, Cydaea & Nephalem are high-energy queens who love zooming on their wheel, and Auriel is a professional nap enthusiast, usually found snoozing in her hammock like the wise elder she is.

These girls are a perfect trio! Equal parts chaos, cuddles, and comedy, and they are ready to bring that energy into a forever home.

If your life could use a little more spice, apply to adopt Auriel, Cydaea, and Nephalem today!

https://form.jotform.com/223004657598058

08/04/2026

Not everyone knows that some animals leave research laboratories and go on to become deeply loved companions — and it’s not only dogs and cats!

Second Chance Heroes Rat Adoptions is featured in a new National Geographic article on the growing movement to rehome former research animals. SCH founder Eva Cross spoke about why more labs and rescues are teaming up to place retired animals into homes, and what helps these animals adjust to life outside the lab!

Over 800 rats have found homes through SCH, including more than 100 from research settings. Adopters know that there is something special about giving a former laboratory rat a home — a chance that simply didn't exist just a few years ago.

If you've ever been curious about adopting a former research animal, this story is for you!

🔗 in the comments!

06/04/2026

Since the NY hoarding rats arrived, we have driven 266 miles taking rats to and from vet appointments. 22 rats have had exams, diagnostics, treatments, and 14 have had surgeries, totaling $2,830.

Animal rescue takes a village, and we couldn't do this work without your support! Because of you, 22 rats are starting new lives of comfort, love, and safety in good health. You can help the next rats in need address critical medical care by donating to Second Chance Heroes Rat Adoptions! 🐭

https://give.secondchancerats.org/campaign/668858/donate

23/03/2026

We have a rare opportunity to adopt singleton rats! 🐭

These rats need loving homes where they will be understood — their lives have been hard. Born into chaos with no structure, no predictability, and no kindness, they need help to see that not all humans want to hurt them.

We won’t sugarcoat it: these boys may be “challenging.” It might take months for them to feel safe taking treats from your hand. They may hide every time you walk into the room. They might flinch at your voice.

But we are begging you, please do not turn your back on them — they need you. They are not broken, they are surviving the only way they know how.

For their whole lives, humans failed them. Hurt them. Gave them reason to be afraid.

But humans can also help these rats heal. ❤️‍🩹

You can be the reason a scared rat feels safe in the world. You can give them hope. You can be their hero.

Chaos Broker, Bogan, Belial, Khazra, Treasure Goblin, Tyrael, Rakanoth, Alaric, Zulton Kulle, and Itherael are waiting. They don't know yet that humans can be safe. You could be the one who shows them.

Be a hero for a rat who needs you.

You can view all of our available rats here:
https://24petconnect.com/PP7404

12/03/2026

SCH will be temporarily closed while I recover from a minor surgical procedure!

Adoption Applications WILL continue to be reviewed during this time, so no need to wait!

https://form.jotform.com/223004657598058

DMs and emails may not be checked during this time, but we will get back to you ASAP! Thanks for your patience!

Address

PO Box

70595

Website

http://www.secondchancerats.org/, https://give.secondchancerats.org/campaign/668858/donate

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Second Chance Heroes Rat Adoptions posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Second Chance Heroes Rat Adoptions:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization?

Country:

City: