Rats have bred in an apartment building in the USA

Volunteers discovered a massive infestation of pet rats in a residential building on Long Island, USA.

On Long Island, USA, volunteers have launched a rescue operation to save pet rats that had bred in a residential building, Need To Know reports.

Staff from Strong Island Animal Rescue arrived at the home after complaints of unsanitary conditions. Inside, they found approximately 300 rats. The rats were running through rooms, in closets, and chewing holes in the walls. The volunteers captured all of this on video.

"It's very difficult to breathe. We need masks," the volunteers described the situation in the house. They said many of the rats were sick. So far, Strong Island Animal Rescue has rescued approximately 150 rats. Most of them are suffering from abscesses. The irresponsible owner of the animals has been arrested.

Volunteers explained that if the man had kept the males and females separate, this would not have happened. "It's a very sad situation, but we're doing the best we can with what we have," Strong Island Animal Rescue said.