Grover
President, Manager, full time carer for the animals
Hello! I'm Grover, really I'm just your friendly local rat nerd. I've always been an animal lover. I've had pet mice since I was five and rats since I was twelve, and I've never stopped learning about them. As far as community involvement, I'm a former management member of the Queensland Rodent Fanciers Society, where I was proud to write new ethics and animal welfare standards and help set up a system for Approved Rescues, bridging the breeder/rescue divide. I'm currently finishing my honours year for a Bachelor of Advanced Science, my major is biology (plant science) and before my rescue days I was heading into research science as a career.
My role here at the rescue is shifting, for the past two years it's been "everything" but as we grow and settle into a structure I'm becoming more of a manager and advisor to some roles and taking on some new ones, though I'm still the primary caretaker and decision maker for the animals in our care and see to their day to day needs. On a personal level, I'm still a nerd. I love books and games, I play Dungeons and Dragons, I love making things, I love learning. Rescue work is fulfilling on so many levels. What was once a well meaning hobby has evolved into a really important job, one that I can still do alongside chronic health conditions that don't mesh with many traditional job structures. It's an outlet for empathy and my "mum friend" desire to nurture everything, it's a target for creativity and a great way to satisfy my need be challenged academically. It constantly pushes me out of my comfort zone and prompts me to grow, and it's led to me being surrounded by the most incredible, passionate people I could ask for. At the end of the day I'm just a person who loves rats a lot, and my way of sharing that passion is by making their lives better, by direct action and by educating people! Come and love rats with me. <3
Ally (#AdminAlly)
Secretary, Social Media Manager (and informally appointed Rescue Mum)
Hai there! My name is Admin Ally - you will often find me tagged in posts on the Rachie's Ratirement Home Facebook and Instagram pages, I do a lot of the social media management for the Rescue. I am also the Rescue Secretary at the moment and I help to keep to our members informed and the management side of the Rescue under control. In my day to day life I am a social worker, so loving and snuggling my little furry friends when I get home is a lovely way to chill out after a tough day. I have an ever changing cohort of beautiful foster rats in my care and I am particularly involved with looking after our palliative and high care residents. I also work a lot with malnutrition cases, including rats I support myself, and rat owners that I mentor online. If you have ever emailed the rescue or engaged with our social media accounts - we have likely chatted and I hope to meet you one day at the Rescue!
Chris
Treasurer, Rescue Maintenance, Transport and Rat Carer
Chris takes care of transport, helps with a lot of behind the scenes tasks, and generally shares his life with the rescues. Long before the rescue evolved into what it was, Chris was part of its backbone - cleaning cages when Grover was too sick, loving and handling the rats and always helping wherever he was needed.
He's now filling the role of treasurer, and is responsible for tracking and analysing our finances so we can best achieve our goals, a vital part of keeping the lights on!
Amy
Sponsorship and Fundraising Coordinator
Hi! My name is Amy, and I'm the Sponsorship and Fundraising Coodinator for Rachie's Ratirement Home! It's my job to coordinate fundraising campaigns for the rescue, and liaise with potential sponsors. Our most recent campaign, Operation Patch Up, has been a great success with many of the patchworks under our care now able to receive the life-saving surgery required to fix the health issues they have.
With a communications background, I dabble in some of the social media for Admin Ally when I'm not spamming my accounts with photos of my own mischief - all of which are RSQ graduates!
Nellie
Assistant Mental Health Officer
Hello I'm Nellie, small dog and assistant mental health officer. My job is to patrol the rescue and make sure everyone's doing okay. I have lots of helpful advice like "stop wasting your time patting rats that are not me" and "stop patting me and give me your lunch" and sometimes I also help keep people on their toes by leaving tiny agility obstacles in the driveway.
My hobbies include wearing silly little jumpies, not being picked up, gumming my food, long naps under the doona where I'm so invisible and crushable, and getting an upset tummy from eating things I shouldn't. If you see me around the rescue, feel free to give me lil scritchies!