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Police in Eugene, Oregon, found more than 100 pet rats in two vehicles on September 23, 2026. Officers say the animals had no food and very little water. The vehicles were being towed when the animals were discovered, so they were not simply sitting in parked cars. As of the latest reporting, on October 1, the case was still under neglect investigation.
What happened on September 23
Eugene police and animal welfare staff were called at about 10:30 a.m. while two vehicles were being towed. An officer lifted the tarp on a blue Saturn and saw rats inside. More rats were found in a second vehicle associated with the same owner. Lookout Eugene-Springfield reported the details, attributing them to the Eugene Police Department. The department’s original social media post was not independently reviewed for this article.
Conditions inside the vehicles
Police described rat feces, chewed seat cushions and trash in one car. The department said, “There was no food and very little water.” More rats turned up after the vehicles were moved to a tow yard. The reporting does not name an individual police spokesperson.
What happened to the rats
Greenhill Humane Society took in 52 rats, housed in eight cages. Three of them gave birth to 18 newborns shortly after arriving. These figures are the initial intake counts from the police account as reported by Lookout Eugene-Springfield, not a final tally.
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- Small Animal Cage: This 3-tier critter cage measures 25"L x 17"W x 38"H with a 0.65-inch wire spacing, perfect for housing small pet rodents such as rats (including fancy and Dumbo rats), ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and small rabbits/bunny (such as Holland Lop, Netherland Dwarf, and Lionhead)
- Anti-Spill Guard Design: The rat cage bottom features a splash guard that keeps bedding, urine, and food debris neatly contained. It helps prevent messes, reduces cleaning frequency, and keeps your home clean
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The October 1 report said many more rats were still believed to be in the vehicles. Animal welfare staff were providing food and water while they waited for Greenhill to have room for more animals. No later report establishes how many rats were ultimately removed, so the current count is unknown.
Where the investigation stands
On October 1, police said, “The case is still under neglect investigation.” The available reporting does not mention charges, a named owner or an outcome. Treat that status as accurate only as of that date.
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- Two Story Double Unit Design: Features 4-tiers durable frame cage with full middle floor and 1/2-inch wire spacing, allowing pets to access between floors with ladder and durable wrought iron construction that is easy to assemble
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How to help
A Register-Guard report, republished by AOL, said Greenhill was seeking new or like-new Critter Nation enclosures, fleece blankets, small-animal hammocks, and donations for care and supplies. I could not confirm that this request is still open. Check Greenhill Humane Society’s own wishlist or donation page before buying anything, since a direct donation may suit the shelter better than a supply purchase.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why a case like this grows so fast
Rats breed quickly, which is why three births within days of intake matter here. Unplanned litters can turn a large group into an even larger one. The three births are the only breeding detail in the reporting. The reports do not say how the animals came to be in the vehicles.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SPACIOUS HABITAT: Measures 36 x 25 x 38.5 in. with a main level and upper shelf for comfortable living space. The 1/2" horizontal wire spacing safely contains chinchillas, rats, ferrets, sugar gliders & degus while allowing natural climbing behavior.
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Rank #4
- SPACIOUS 2-STORY HABITAT: Measures 36 x 24 x 63 inches with two full levels of living space. The 1/2" horizontal wire spacing safely contains rats, chinchillas, ferrets, sugar gliders and degus while allowing natural climbing behavior.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Sturdy metal wire design with a gray quartz hammertone finish, Critter Nation resists everyday wear. Complete with 2 removable base pans, 3 textured ramps with covers, and 2 full-width resting shelves.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR HABITAT: Height-adjustable design lets you customize the perfect setup for your pet, with 2 wide expanse shelves and 2 full-width plastic pan floors to maximize play space. Compatible with a wide range of accessories.
- BUILT FOR DAILY LIFE: Full-width double doors provide maximum accessibility, with a swing-up locking ramp that lets you separate pets or section off areas during cleaning and feeding. Bottom level shelf provides storage area for pet accessories.
- BECAUSE LIFE GOES BETTER WITH PETS: A family-owned business based in Indiana, MidWest Homes for Pets brings over 100 years of pet product expertise and a commitment to quality, rigorous safety testing, and excellent US-based customer service.
Rank #3
- Easy Portable Design: Cage dimensions measure 24 inches length by 16 inches width by 24 inches height, featuring all-metal construction with 3 levels, wire shelves, and ladders with tight 3/8-inch cross bar spacing
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
