A woman has been living with nearly 800 rats in a single-family home in Wissen an der Sieg in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The area's veterinary services took in 400 of the animals last week and want to collect the remaining 400 in a new operation with the help of private animal welfare organisations.
Several neighbours had notified the veterinary services because of the offending smell coming from the house. The owner of the animals was completely overwhelmed by the situation.
Various animal protection associations have been taking in the rodents to provide them with veterinary care and find them new homes. Several of the females were also pregnant.
Legal action against the owner of the animals is being considered.
