Rachie's Ratirement Home

21/08/2025

We may not be back in full operation just yet, but if you're looking to foster - check out this beautiful family at AWLQ! Get in touch via the email in the original post if you can help a mumma and some week old babies.

❤️ Grove

Wowsers, thanks community - a Foster carer has been sorted!!! 👌🥰
Ratty Mum Remmie & Her 5 Little Beans! 🐀💖

Remmie is a devoted rat mum, currently caring for her five adorable 2-week-old babies. She’s doing a wonderful job keeping them safe, warm, and fed, but she needs a calm, experienced foster home to support her and her babies during this critical early stage.

Important: Experience with mums and pups is essential. These babies are tiny, fragile, and completely dependent on their mum. Remmie is protective and gentle, and a skilled foster will know how to provide the right environment for them to thrive.

Foster requirements:

Gentle, patient handling of mum, and careful observation of the babies.

Warm, calm environment to allow the family to settle and grow.

Ability to care for the family until the babies are ready for weaning and eventual adoption.

This family is full of love and potential, and with the right experienced foster, they’ll grow up healthy, happy, and ready for their forever homes.
Please email: [email protected] if you can assist.

12/08/2025

Hey everyone! Long time no see ❤️
Here's a bit of an update on the rescue, cliffsnotes version is:
🐀 We're back after a year rest break!
🐀 Rental crisis is still nuts, for now we're decentralizing and trialling a foster based system set to open first in the Brisbane region atba date to be announced, starting with a small pilot program. (Which modern data now says is better for the animals.)
🐀 Our first meeting called for anyone interested in being a part of it to propose ways forward and see if we had the interest in going ahead - we do, and we have a good pathway of support programs to implement as we go!
🐀 Our second meeting was about establishing the volunteer space, getting people set up with tasks and 1:1 help getting the feel of it, talking about what's important to us all, what we'd like to see implemented, how to bake in burnout management from the start, and making the system comfortable, sustainable and fun to be in.
🐀 This week I'll be online in the Discord and voice chat for extended office hours (10-6 on Wednesday and Friday, 2-6 on Sunday) for anyone to come get onboarded, matched up with a task, parallel play through stuff, ask whatever questions you like, etc.

It's not often rescue orgs like us get a chance to have a genuine break followed by a chance to completely overhaul and optimise our practice. We've been a nationally acclaimed rescue just by doing our best then, I'm so so excited for what we can be after taking everything we've built and learned over the last near decade and whittling it into its best self.

If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, there's currently openings to work from home on tasks both large and small, straightforward and creative. Soon we'll be moving on to fundraising, socials, foster etc but we're going at a very deliberately measured pace and setting up one area at a time, so please forgive us for being super quiet on socials! Whatever your skillset or interests, you're welcome to jump in and keep your finger on the pulse, or get involved with the team that are building this thing back up from rock solid foundations! (You're even welcome to just come goof around in the social channels. ❤️)

Discord link: https://discord.gg/7YZdJdAQUq

Hope to see you all around!
❤️ Grove

05/08/2025

Hello !

Our next community meeting will kick off at 10am this Sunday 10th August via Zoom with the meeting agenda available in our RRH Discord.

If you haven't already done so, please join us in the Discord space. This is the community planning and engagement space between these bigger discussions.

*All links that follow have been added to our profile linktree*

Join the RRH Discord via this link: https://discord.gg/GtAjwBSa

If you haven't already completed the expression of interest to be involved, please head here to let us know so that we can send you the meeting information: https://airtable.com/appJTTn9ZDykTWPUW/pagZLcmSV69wOlRyg/form

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions!

Looking forward to seeing you!

on behalf of

Photo from Amy's archive of gorgeous mischief meetings over a bowl of good food because snacks are ALWAYS important!

05/08/2025

Hello !

Our next community meeting will kick off at 10am this Sunday 10th August via Zoom with the meeting agenda available in our RRH Discord.

If you haven't already done so, please join us in the Discord space. This is the community planning and engagement space between these bigger discussions.

Join the RRH Discord via this link: https://discord.gg/GtAjwBSa

If you haven't already completed the expression of interest to be involved, please head here to let us know so that we can send you the meeting information: https://airtable.com/appJTTn9ZDykTWPUW/pagZLcmSV69wOlRyg/form

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions!

Looking forward to seeing you!

on behalf of

Photo from Amy's archive of gorgeous mischief meetings over a bowl of good food because snacks are ALWAYS important!

16/07/2025

Hello Everyone!

We recently met for the first of a series of community meetings to work out the next chapter of Rachie's Ratirement Home Inc.

We will be adding an update to the website in the coming days with some of the key discussion points and next steps if you are interested in seeing what we are thinking.

The Discord is alive and pumping with volunteers talking, planning and checking out what we are doing!

We ALSO have our next community meeting planned - details below.

Date: Sunday 10th August 2025
Time: 10am start, meeting for approximately 90mins.

If you aren't registered to be part of the community meetings complete the EOI here (see the Linktree in our bio for a click-able link) so we can send you the meeting link.

You can also register here: https://airtable.com/appJTTn9ZDykTWPUW/pagZLcmSV69wOlRyg/form

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to us via [email protected]!

on behalf of

15/06/2025

🐁 COMMUNITY MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT 🐁

Key Details
Time: 11am
Date: Saturday 5th July
Location: Zoom, meeting link sent after registering your interest.
Register your interest: https://airtable.com/appJTTn9ZDykTWPUW/pagZLcmSV69wOlRyg/form

✨️🐁✨️🐁✨️🐁✨️🐁✨️

Words from Grover, RRH President and Founder

We are delighted to invite all potential volunteers and stakeholders and community members to a round table meeting to discuss plans for the next iteration of Rachie's Ratirement Home!

The opportunity to genuinely take time and space to do a full, ground up reimagining of the most sustainable, effective and high impact way to do our work is something a rescue rarely gets.

The rental crisis making the physical shelter unviable was a great tragedy for the people in immediate need in our area, and those who cherished having the rescue as a space to come together, but it's also been a blessing and a push that we needed. We've really made the most of the chance to rest, reflect and consider what we could do if we had the freedom to redesign from scratch, with all the experience and trust, the fantastic community standing with us, and all the processes and infrastructure we've set up over the last near-decade.

We're not going to look exactly the same as we did or jumping back into the same high capacity we had, but we are so, so excited to talk through the plans for how Rachie's is going forward the way we always have - following evidence based best practice and current shelter science, helping people and their pets stay together, giving a safe place for those in crisis to rehabilitate and get back on their feet, and be a sturdy reliable place for advocacy and education, improving life for rats and rat owners.

Best practice in animal rescue is to work under a decentralized model, so we're delighted to welcome community from all over Australia and beyond to join us. If you have an interest in the future of the org, or think you might be interested in volunteering - helping us to develop and implement the programs we'll be running, please leave your details in the expression of interest form above, and we'll send you a link to the first of our group meetings, and the rescues Discord channel.

We're so excited and delighted to be back, we can't wait to see you all and to tell you all more about what the future holds!

, on behalf of the Team

30/05/2025

Hey 👋

Well, hasn't it been a minute.

We hope you have been well during this last year of rest. We certainly have taken a good long hammock nap with a stockpile of snacks and a cuddle puddle of all things nice!

We just wanted to pop in briefly to let you know that the RRH Exec Team will be meeting in the coming fortnight to put the final touches on the proposal for the next chapter of Rachie's Ratirement Home Inc.

As soon as we have the proposal finalised, it will be time for that community meeting that we mentioned when we first went on our break. That meeting will be the first step in a well planned and very intentional process to make sure the rescues return sets us up to be as strong and sustainable as we can be, with the community values that has made it such an important place for so many over the years.

Information about the meeting will be made available on our social media and website when details are finalised, but our hope is to get together for a round table discussion within the next month.

We want to be very clear that the rescue is NOT running any operations beyond the Executive Team at the moment and we CANNOT help with relocations or other supports at this time.

We are really excited about what is possible after a year of resting, considering, and reflecting on how much we could do with the space and capacity to build up something from scratch on such a strong foundation. Looking forward to these conversations with all of you who want to be a part of it.

and the

23/10/2024

⚠️ RRH AGM and Member Applications ⚠️

In preparation for our AGM and next Membership Year we are seeking applications for financial members.

Membership is $1 for the year (we have to charge a fee as part of the NFP rules).

Membership enables you to vote on major decisions and appointments in the Rescue and influence it's direction which will be a significant discussion come May 2025. Please note that membership requires that you have a dedicated commitment to the goals and objectives of the Rescue and a willingness to be involved in achieving these.

2025 Membership Renewals: https://airtable.com/appCYlafluP0ymwQm/shrS3SSYThfcxnu7G

Whether you are a current member of RRH or looking to join us, we are delighted that you are willing to continue supporting us in such an important way. Please complete the 2025 Membership Application and we will be in touch with the details for the upcoming Annual General Meeting. It is essential to finalise your Member Renewal for the 2025 Member year in order to vote in this Annual General Meeting and for our meeting to meet quorum requirements.

We also take this opportunity to remind you about the RRH AGM. Current and new members will be emailed the annual report, meeting agenda and any decision/voting information this Sunday 27/10/2024.

RRH Annual General Meeting:
Time: Sunday Nov 10, 2024 at 1400hrs (2pm) AEST
Meeting Location: Online (details to be confirm)

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via [email protected] if you have any questions.

-

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14/06/2024

Hi ,

Rachie's Ratirement Home is currently closed for a 12-month period to allow our dedicated team to rest and recuperate after 6 years of straight rescue work.

We will be reconvening in May 2025 to discuss what the next chapter of our RRH Story looks like and we will share information with the community via our RRH social media channels and website at this time.

In the meantime here is some information that we hope will support you to connect with any services that you might need during our absence.

How to I find a new place for my rats? Or find rats looking for a new home temporarily or permanently?
- Animal Welfare League Queensland and RSPCA are places you can contact if you are looking to surrender, foster or adopt rats.
- Other spaces that support the relocation of rats are:
- AWLQ Pocket Pets Page: https://www.facebook.com/awlqpocketpets
- Community Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/827153964694062
- Rat Migration and Accessories: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1749903898643259

If you find yourself in difficult circumstances, please reach out to some of the services listed below for help connecting with support, these services can connect with the RSPCA for support with Pets in Crisis too.
- DV Connect: Domestic and family violence help in Queensland (dvconnect.org)
- Homeless Persons Information Line: Homeless Hotline | Homes and housing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
- RSPCA Pets in Crisis: Pets in Crisis Program | RSPCA Queensland (rspcaqld.org.au)

Help! My rat is sick?
If you rat is sick, mild or major - they need veterinary care. Please consider a rat-savvy vet like the ones listed below for help.
- Our Locations | Our Vet
- Home - VetKind Pty Ltd
- Vets for Rabbits, Birds & Other Exotic Pets - The Unusual Pet Vets
- you can also seek advice from Real Rat Lovers Want to Know | Facebook however you will need to request access to the group to seek support.

I would like to help as a volunteer with rats!
- Please check out the Pocket Pets Program within the AWLQ - Adopt a Pet (awlqld.com.au) and see what volunteer programs they have on offer!

I would like to be more connected to the rat community!
- We encourage you to join Community Hub | Facebook and Queensland Rodent Fanciers Society (https://www.facebook.com/queenslandrodentfanciers)!

If you are interested in supporting RRH's ongoing operating costs (data management, governance expenses and insurance) you can find out how to donate here www.rachiesratirementhome.com/donate - we appreciate your support during our period of rest.

We hope that this answered some of the questions that you may have emailed us about but if it has not, please connect with the online rat community - there are many knowledgeable folks in that space!

We look forward to seeing you in our next chapter!

-

12/05/2024

Dis ,

I am just popping in (mid snack, mind you) to let you know that from today for 12 months, our Rescue is closed to allow our team to rest.

Later today we will post a closure post to help new visitors to the page over the next 12 months. This will include details about how you can continue to make donations to support the continued operational costs until we revisit our future operations in May 2025.

We will include information there about other community support pathways you can access if you need.

It's been a wild ride this last 6 and a bit years and we don't regret it for a second. We are so incredibly grateful for the who has grown around and with us over the last 6 and a bit years.

Keep an eye on socials for any important messaging, especially as we action our AGM in November, and again when we plan our review in May 2025.

Snoot boops,



IMAGE: A rat is held 'owe you rent' style with a mouth full of snacks.

12/05/2024

You begin an entirely new chapter of your life when you realise that you do not need hammocks to be hung up to sleep in them.

Dis

Narrators Note: This is probably the rat equivalent of humans sleeping in doonas/duvets straight from the dryer!

- Photo by , post by

IMAGE: A rat is snuggled as comfy as pie in a pile of unhung hammocks.

09/05/2024

Hey ,

Here is some actual footage of how exhausted we all are here as we madly scramble our way through the last remaining tasks to get the rescue closed up for a year.

We haven't had much chance to process what this all means for us yet because it's been almost 7 years for some of us.

Whilst we will be REALLY absent over the next 12 months to properly rest, the reality is that some bills still need to be paid and the Exec need to remain as guardians of the sleeping Rescue until it's time to revisit and explore its future.

Thinga that we will absolutely still need help with in that period are the following ongoing bills that ensure our legal, governance and data security obligations are met.

I have detailed them below for the curious but the main point is - donations are still required.

We'll still have these operational costs:
- $50/mth for Xero (our accounting software)
- $36/mth for Airtable (our record-keeping software)
- $34/mth for Squarespace (our website)
- $5.18/mth for our annual return (AGM Governance Document)

It's going to be much lighter without the usual rescue work, but we'll still be using $125 per month to keep the various educational resources we've built up over the years up & running.

If you can support our operational cost during the closure, you can find our donation details here: rachiesratirementhome.com/donate . We are still a registered charity and DGR endorsed organisation - we will tell you if that changes.

You can also continue to donate via the Containers for Change Program - our ID is C10415759

If you have donation queries during our closure please contact [email protected] and we will do our best to assist.

We are so ready to be resting like this sweet rattie friend . To all who have helped us get to this point, thank you. To all who will help us stay scurrying along in the next 12 months, thank you!

- on behalf of