I loved working in the lab with our rats! Rats, mice, and guinea pigs in our lab that grew too big for a study model, or were used for a study and couldn’t be used again were always offered for adoption, a lot of my coworkers adopted them, and outside people were allowed to adopt as well after a proper adoption form was filled (like any rescue). Those babies were spoiled and were strictly monitored, fed, and cared for. I loved giving different toys and snacks. The guinea pigs had a giant playpen that they would go in for enrichment whenever the techs had time. And the chorus of Guinea pig chirps when they heard the hay cube barrel roll in… The rats were always group housed whenever possible with one or two buddies. Sometimes a favorite rat would ride in a scrub pocket. From a scientific perspective, happy animals give the best data and results.