Happy Endings

5 Ways To Help Happy Endings/EARPS!!!

BECOME A FOSTER

We can only take in animals we have room for. We are a no-kill rescue which means when we are full, animals will be turned away. More foster homes means more animals can be rescued...it's as simple as that!

DONATE MONEY, GIFT CARDS OR ITEMS

Caring for so many little lives is far from cheap. Money helps buy supplies and pay for medical care. Gift cards from stores such as Kroger, Pet Supplies Plus and Walmart or items from our wish list are also greatly appreciated!

HAVE US PET SIT

Going on vacation? Ask us about on-premises petsitting for small animals! Locations in Columbia City, IN and Indianapolis, IN.

SHOP CAFEPRESS

Visit the EARPS Cafepress site for cool rat and other critter gear!

VOLUNTEER

Do you have some spare time? We are looking for people who can help us clean cages, transport or help with fundraising, among other things. If you have a special talent, don't mind driving, or just like to scrub dirty cages, let us know!

Adoptables

An adoption fee of $20 per rat includes a complete physical exam by a licensed exotic veterinarian and spay/neuter (unless listed as special needs). It is required that rats be adopted in pairs or more unless you already have a rat at home. Rats are extremely social animals and are happiest when housed with other rats. For more information on why rats should not be housed alone read this. Need to research rats before adopting or just want to know more? Click here to order informative rat care books or search through our rat information links below.

Our mouse adoption fee is $5 per mouse. Females must be adopted in same-sex pairs unless you have a female mouse at home. Males must be adopted in bonded same-sex pairs but can sometimes be adopted as singles if they do not get along with other males.

Adoptable Rodents at Happy Endings

Rattie Boys

Mario is an adorable young agouti capped boy who is looking for a forever family with one of his friends. He can be adopted with Stewie or Zehn. He is a little shy but non-aggressive.

Mario

BJ, James and Tobias are 3 shy but sweet young agouti hooded boys who are looking for their forever home all together! They are gentle and non-aggressive boys who need a family with plenty of time to spend with them so they can open up a little more.

BJ, James and Tobias

(Special Needs, Altered) Micah, Miloh and Stewie are 3 great boys who are looking for their forever home all together. Miloh is a cute little agouti variagated, Micah is a black capped with an adorable white chin and Stewie is a handsome beige hoodie. Stewie came in as a biter but is doing excellent and now has turned to grooming over biting. They are sweet and curious boys who have been vet-checked and altered.

Micah, Miloh and Stewie

(Altered) Anchovie, Crackers, Famous Amos, Frito and Pumpernickel are 5 sweet but shy boys who must be adopted in pairs, as a group of 3, or all together. They have all been vet-checked and altered, get along great with each other and can also be housed with females.

Anchovie, Crackers, Amos, Frito and Pumpernickel

Baby boys! All are adorable little tan hoodies but each are marked differently. They have been handled since birth so they are all very sweet and social.

2 baby boys

Rattie Girls

Adeline, Mindy and CJ are beautiful, sweet and VERY social and playful little girls who are looking for their forever home as a pair or all together. They are all 3 in good health. Cj does not do extremely well with introductions to new rats.

Adeline, Mindy and CJ

(Special Needs, Altered) Serenity and Zehn are pretty little girls who will need some work on socialization but who are coming out of their shells more each day. They are non-aggressive but are just not sure what to think of people right now. They will need to go to a home with lots of patience and TLC to give. They must be adopted together. They have both been spayed and vet-checked and can be housed with males. Right now these 2 girls are housed with Marvin and Ozzie and get along great!

Zehn and Serenity

(Altered) Camisa and Layla are 2 very sweet young ladies who are looking for their forever home together. Camisa is a pretty little fawn capped girl and Layla is a beautiful little fawn self. They have both been vet-checked and altered and can be housed with nice young gentlemen ratties.

Camisa and Layla

Young rats in IL!

Several young boys still available for adoption in the Chicagoland area! Must be adopted in pairs unless you have a young male at home. If you live in IL and are interested in a pair of these little boys please let me know!

EARPS Rats!

Please visit our Petfinder page for a list of EARPS adoptable ratties. These rats could be located in MI or IN but transportation to Happy Endings can be provided.

Mice/Hamsters/Gerbils

Baby mice available for adoption! Young pew mice are looking for their forever homes in pairs or groups. Please contact me for more info!

Please check out EARPS for hamsters/gerbils!

Other Animals In Need Of Homes

If you are interested in adopting a small exotic not listed above please check out EARPS!

For all other animals visit your local humane shelter or check out Petfinder.com!

Please don't breed or buy while homeless animals die! Support your local shelter and have your pet spayed or neutered!!!

If you are interested in providing a loving home to any of our fosters email hleughmyer@hotmail.com or call 260-327-3434! We are also always in need of people willing to provide foster homes!!! Contact me if you can help!!!

Click here to see our Happy Tails!

Thanks!

artwork by Stephanie Hanson

The rats and I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who cares enough to adopt, donate and foster!

A special thanks to my foster mom Kelly Brumbaugh!

Rat/Mouse Surrender Policy

If you are a private individual needing to surrender your rat or mouse to Happy Endings/EARPS a cage and donation of $10 per animal is required. Group rates are sometimes offered for large surrenders. Loving homes are not always easy to come by so you must understand that they could be in our care for quite some time. Donations help buy food, bedding and pay for veterinary care and/or medicine as needed. Caring for so many little lives does not come cheap!

Note: When Happy Endings/EARPS is full you will be asked to fill out a surrender waiting list form. Remember that we are a no-kill rescue and can only take in animals as foster space becomes available.

Our Resident Rat Pack

Cierra and Miranda

Cierra is a sweet and pretty little girl who was adopted and then found her way back to Happy Endings over a year later. Due to her age she will be staying here permanently. She is very glad to be back and her favorite pastimes include cuddling, playtime and vegan cooking. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Miranda is a sweet and pretty little girl just like her twin sister. Like her sister, she will be retiring at Happy Endings and is very glad to be back! Favorite pastimes (much like her sister) include cuddling, playtime with foster siblings and experimenting with vegan recipes. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Bella, Juliet and Sienna

Bella is a pretty and playful girl with lots of energy. She is glad to be staying here and enjoys spending time with her new sisters and brother. Favorite pastimes include cuddling with her siblings, playtime and interpretive dance. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Juliet is a beautiful Himalayin girl who had a rough beginning to her life and is staying here to make sure that it ends happily. She is still learning to trust, but in time, she will learn that all humans are not bad. Favorite pastimes include exploring, being groomed by her sisters, cuddling and quilting. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Sienna is a beautiful, sweet and mellow girl who is glad to be staying here at Happy Endings and absolutely loves her new sisters! Actually, she is very easy-going and loves just about everyone! Favorite pastimes include cuddling with sisters, playing with sisters and antiquing. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Abner

Abner is a handsome but shy boy who is content just to stay hidden most of the time. He is a sweetie that just never came out of his shell. Favorite pastimes include, napping on his hammock, hiding in his igloo and Chinese checkers. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Alec, Lenny, Micah and Maurice

Alec is a handsome Himalayin Dumbo-eared boy who came from a very bad situation and is overjoyed to be spending the rest of his life here at Happy Endings! He is now a big lover and absolutely loves his humane and 2 new brothers. Favorite pastimes include snuggling, playtime, eating and acting. My sponsor is Maggie Llyod!

Lenny is a big squishy boy who is very happy to be staying here where he has a big condo and lots of relaxing leisure time. He really loves his human and his 2 new brothers. Favorite pastimes include lounging in his hammock and picnicing in the park. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Micah is a shy little boy who is staying at Happy Endings due to temperament, and now, failing health. He is so happy to have 2 new brothers to cuddle with! Favorite pastimes include hiding, sleeping and undercover investigative work. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Maurice is a very sweet boy who will be staying permanently at happy Endings due to his failing health. He absolutely loves his 3 brothers and is glad to be staying. Favorite pastimes include cuddling, resting, sleeping and meditation.

Our Mouseketeers

Babbafemi

Babbafemi is a big squishy and curious spiny mouse boy who is not sure what to think of humans but likes to check them out as long as they don't try grabbing at him! He LOVES to eat and is ALWAYS waiting patiently at his food dish at dinnertime. He also like his wheel but never seems to work off the calories! My sponsor is WhiteRabbitBeauty.com !

Petey

Petey is a sweet and gentle boy with a very mellow personality. He loves his home and especially loves his little wooden house where he barricades himself in and takes long relaxing naps. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Our Hamster Girl

Gretel

Gretel is a beautiful and sweet little girl who is really glad to be retiring here. Favorite pastimes include sleeping and running on her wheel. She LOVES veggies and is quite an advocate for the vegetarian lifestyle. She says it's her #1 beauty secret! My sponsor is WhiteRabbitBeauty.com !

The Odd Couple

Rachel

Rachel is a pretty and sweet little blonde gerbil who is very spunky and full of energy but just a little shy. She loves her new home and she especially loves her new friend Sagira! Favorite pastimes include running on her wheel and playing in her tunnels. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

Sagira

Sagira is a sweet but very timid spiny mouse girl who does not know what to think of humans at all. She loves to hide in her house, run on her wheel and just keep to herself most of the time. She is really beginning to open up to her new friend Rachel who she now lives with. My sponsor is Michelle Krueger!

All residents of Happy Endings spend much of their free time fighting tirelessly for Rodent Rights!

(mice, hamsters and gerbils too!)

Happy Endings Updates

9/27/06 Marvin and Ozzie went to their forever home today where we know they will be loved and spoiled!

9/17/06 We got in 10 new foster ratties today. All of them are altered and looking for their forever homes.

9/16/06 Napoleon and Frankie went to their forever home today where they will be loved and spoiled!

9/15/06 Our little Cierra and Miranda, adopted over a year ago, found their way back to Happy Endings today where they will live out the remainder of their lives.

9/3/06 We had an awesome day for adoptions! Moe, Shemp, Curly, Samara and Ginger went to their new forever home where we know they will be loved and spoiled! Starsky and Kadin also went to their forever home where they will also be spoiled rotten!

8/31/06 Our little Stitch was altered and went to his new forever home today where we know he will be very happy with his 2 new sisters!

8/25/06 We lost our handsome DaVinci today to respiratory illness. He was a very special boy and will be deeply missed by his brother Micah and I.

8/4/06 We got in 3 new residents today from the Elkhart Humane Society. Moe, Shemp and Curly are 3 big sweet boys who will be looking for their forever home together.

7/22/06 We got in a new resident today. His name is DaVinci and he will be staying with us for the remainder of his life due to advanced respiratory illness.

7/19/06 Our sweet little Eliot passed away today due to advanced respiratory illness. He came to us 3 years ago as a tiny baby. He will be deeply missed by his brother Abner and I.

7/18/06 We lost our handsome little Gilbert early this morning. He was a very special boy and will be deeply missed by his brother Alec and I.

7/17/06 Our beautiful, sweet Bianca had to be euthanized today due to advanced respiratory disease and an intestinal blockage. She will be deeply missed by her sister Bella and I.

7/11/06 Anna, April, Betsy and Jenni went to their forever home today in IL where we know they will be very happy.

7/3/06 We officially adopted our foster girls Bianca and Bella today due to Bianca unfortunately developing respiratory illness.

Happy Endings Little Visitors

Blake and Sebastian, Aubrey and Charity, Megan and Hope, Nathan and Bailey, Ashley and Scout

Wish List

Food
boxed white or brown minute rice
cereal (Total/unsweetened puffed rice or wheat/toasted rice or wheat)
dried (unsweetened) fruit
dry pasta (we like veggie spirals!)
fresh fruit and veggies***We go through a LOT of this!!! (fresh foods we eat include berries, bananas, grapes, melons, plums, apples, kale, broccoli, bok choy, sprouts, tomatoes, parsley, corn, squash, peas, carrots and sweet potatoes)
Green Mush dietary supplement
mouse food
Nylabones
plain rice cakes
rodent blocks
rolled oats
treats! (any treats for rats and mice)
unsalted seeds and nuts
vitamin drops for rats
Supplies
boxes (big enough for rats to play in)***Much needed!!!
cages (ferret, rabbit, guinea pig...the bigger the better!)(also mouse cages)
food dishes/water bottles
non-toxic bedding such as CareFRESH or aspen (no cedar or pine)***We go through a LOT of this!!!
rat/ferret hammocks
toys such as ladders, ropes, tubes, etc.
tupperware type containers
used blankets, sheets or towels
Wodent Wheels (“Friends don't let friends run in wire wheels.”)
wooden, plastic or ceramic rat or mouse houses
Other
monetary donations for vet care, medicine, etc.

Sponsor a Rodent

Sponsorship is a one time donation of $15 for a rat and $10 for a mouse, hamster or gerbil. Sponsors will receive important updates on their rats, mice or hamsters and are welcome to visit at any time!

Rodents without sponsors: Maurice

If you would like to make a donation or sponsor a rat please email me and let me know! You can also...

Shop online and support Happy Endings at iGive.com

Click here!

Send us a donation through Paypal!

Rainbow Bridge

Why Rats Are Only With Us a Short While

One day, some angels went to God and asked if they might spend some time on Earth, to learn and perhaps to teach. He answered that some of the people might be frightened of the angels, that His children's idea of beauty might not be His own. The angels replied that maybe those who could look past the differences deserved the blessings that they could give. But God was still concerned. The angels needed Heaven's air to breathe; they would suffocate down on Earth. The angels promised to hold their breath as long as possible, and would return when they could not hold it anymore. God agreed and sent down the angels.

Many people were frightened of these creatures, despised them, and tried to kill them in large numbers. However, the few who recognized the angelic qualities in the beings took them in and sheltered and fed them. In return, they received more joy and laughter then they could possibly imagine. But alas, soon the angels could hold their breath no longer. After just a short Earth time, they left to go back to Heaven. But they were sure to tell the next group of angels exactly who to seek out when they went down.

~Author Unknown~

Angels
These angels don't strum golden harps
Have long white gowns to wear
They don't show themselves in visions
But we know that they are there
These angels don't wear halos
Or fly on feathered wings
They may not sleep on cotton clouds
They just don't need those things
These angels are all around us
In every breath we take
They're in the falling autumn leaves
In the ripples on the lake
These angels once had silky fur
And prickly little tails
They gave licky kisses with tiny tongues
Had scratchy little nails
These angels always made us smile
They could melt a heart of stone
One look at tiny angel eyes
And we never felt alone
These angels are still with us
Still twitching little noses
You see them in the sunset
And the beauty of the roses.

~Heather Leughmyer~

In Loving Memory Of

~Rats~

Sabre, Simon, Benji, Ty, Abby, Sophie, Holly, Colby, Whiskers, Faith, Toebiter, Bailey, Hope, Maddie, Phoebe, Powder, Flea, Madeline, Rocky, Emmy, Misty, Duncan, Toby, Misha, Charity, Noelle, Olivia, Aristotle, Babs, Socrates, Templeton, Sebastian, Jamie, Melody, Lexie, Gage, Sid, Rebecca, Pedro, Mazie, Plato, Linus, Jazzie, Pablo, Ernie, Claude, Chinsey, Chloe, Genner, Lestat, Ruby, Bea, Charlie, Zoe, Sammy, Squiggy, Buffy, Romeo, Bianca, Gilbert, Eliot, DaVinci

~Mice~

Maya, Megan, Macy, Minny, Amber, Precious, Angel, Dungie, Avery, Pez, Ariel, Pippin, Adele, Brie, Ramses

~Hamsters~

Genevieve

Friends of Happy Endings Memorials

~In memory of Wylde Bill (Billie)~

With Love, Michelle Krueger

~In memory of Lilith and Eve~

With Love, Kim Perez

Remembering Our Feline & Canine Friends

~Cats~

Poem For Cats
And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am.....forever and ever and ever.

~Patricia N. Olsen, DVM, Ph.D.~

Free
Adoring eyes, contented purr
Twitching tail and fluffy fur
Softly rolling through the sky
Making clouds float slowly by

Whiskers whisper past my face
playfully and full of grace
You bat my hair with pie-dough paws
You grab my clothes with clingy claws

You brush my leg, you pounce and play
Frolicking throughout the day
Then at night you stretch and yawn
Reminding me that you're not gone

With every blade of grass you blow
You're only wanting me to know
Each dancing leaf , each swaying tree
You're telling me that you are free

~Heather Leughmyer~

In Loving Memory Of

Cody Leughmyer, Patches Michael, Kitten Little Michael,
Goofy Mason, Mocha Mason

~Dogs~

May I Go Now?

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain filled days
and endless painful nights?

I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.

I want to go. I really do.
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you, too.
That's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.

~By Rebecca L. Hoak~

In Loving Memory Of

Misha Leughmyer, Misty Leughmyer, Oscar Michael

Kimberly A. Cardeccia MA, LPC, NCC runs a pet loss support group in Howell, Michigan and also offers free email support. If you are grieving over the loss of a pet and need someone to talk to email her at kim@joyful-spirit.com.
For information on her book Healing Your Heart When Your Animal Friend is Gone: A Children's Pet Bereavement Workbook go to www.breesgiftpublishing.com.

Also, visit www.petloss.com

With a donation to Happy Endings (no minimum) your pet can be listed on our website as a loving tribute to him/her.

Our Favorite Links

Rat-Approved!!!

Animal Rights Links
Action For Animals ~Lots of good information on animal rights/veganism
Animal Veg FAQ ~Answers to anti-animal rights arguments
CHACE ~Connecting Hoosiers for Animal Concerns & Education
People for Ending Animal Cruelty and Exploitation ~MSN community for animal rights activists
Peta ~People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has info. on all aspects of animal rights
Rat Rights ~Rethinking animal treatment and their rights
Rats Have Rights ~The Rat Liberation Front
Rattie Rights ~Help Stop Animal Abuse
Student Animal Rights Alliance ~Online portal for the student animal rights movement

Rat Information Sites
American Fancy Rat & Mouse Association ~Lots and lots of info. on rats and mice
Loving Rats ~MSN rat discussion board with lots of info.
Rat & Mouse Club of America ~Lots and lots of info. on rats and mice
Rat Fan Club ~Lots of EXCELLENT info. on rats and rat care
Rat Planet ~UK based website with LOTS of helpful info.
Rats ~Rat Assistance and Teaching Society
RatsRatsRats ~MSN community
Rats Rule ~Lots of info. on pet rats
RatStuff ~ If you love pet rats - you'll love RatStuff.
The Small Animal Pages ~Information on small animals including rats and mice

Rescues and Resources
Caitlinsrescue ~Animal rescue and adoption forum
CrittersNest Adoption and Rescues ~An updated list of Rescues and shelters that take in rats throughout the U.S.
EARPS ~Exotic Animal Rescue and Petsitting takes in various kinds of small exotic animals throughout MI and IN
FurrButt Farms Rat Rescue ~Rat Rescue located in Louisville, KY
Lovin' Homes ~Small animal rescue located in Rochester, Indiana
Loving Rats ~ Ratta Muffin Rescue takes in unwanted rats in the NJ area
Rat Adoption ~Yahoo group that assists with rat adoption and rescue
Rathelp.org ~Rat Rescue and adoption contacts
Rat Rehoming Register ~Rat adoption and rehoming
Rat Rescue.com ~Meeting place for rat and other rodent lovers
Rat Transport ~Yahoo group that helps with transport issues
Rats Rule Forum ~Forum at the Rats Rule website that includes an adoption board
Recycled Rodents ~Rat adoptions
RMCA Rescues ~Rat adoptions
Starr's Pets Page ~Links to animal shelters and organizations in and around Fort Wayne, Indiana and beyond

Misc. Rat-Related Sites
Animalove ~Rat refuge and other misc. info.
ChooseCompassion.net ~Promotes the humane treatment of all animals
Pet Loss Cards ~Pet loss e-cards. Site includes rat/mouse cards.
Rat Names ~Database of LOTS of rattie names on ratsrule.com
RatRaisins, Inc. ~Rats are people too!
Suebee's Diet ~Info. on Suebee's mix which all Happy Endings residents enjoy daily
Vegan Rats ~Yahoo community
Virtual Squeaks ~Rattie e-cards from the RMCA
Yummy For Dogs (and Rats) ~Vegan recipes for rats, dogs and wildlife

Educate Yourself!!!

In the U.S., an animal dies in a lab every second...unseen and unheard they suffer...but you can make a difference...

Help Stop Animal Tests
Caring Consumer ~ List of companies and charities that do and do not test on animals
Fact Sheets ~Fact sheets on all aspects of animal rights including animal experimentation
March of Crimes ~Information on March of Dimes cruel animal tests
Stop Animal Tests ~Information on what you can do to help stop cruel, outdated animal tests

Watch Out For Pet Store Cruelty
How To Report A Pet Store ~Information on what to do if you witness pet store cruelty

Don't breed or buy while homeless animals die!!!

View My Guestbook
Sign My Guestbook

Visit Heather's Poetry Site If Your Tears Were Human

Also, take a look at my coloring book Conner the Calf

E-book of interest: God Does Not Eat Meat

"Until he extends the circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace." ~ Dr. Albert Schweitzer

GO VEGAN!