Was it a big rat or a small possum? Many people have mistaken our local possums for rats.

I have a good acquaintance in town that is our wildlife rehab. She takes injured animals & if possible nurses them back to health then soft releases them back into nature.

I am sure the mommy raccoon that came to my farm looking for food while nursing her 5 babies had been a rescue because she is used to humans & gently takes food from my hand. Things like bunches of grapes & bread. I tend to do the rescue thing first then determine how bad off they are.