www.everwildrattery.com

Hello!

My name is Shelley.  Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be surrounded by animals!  My poor parents certainly deserve an award for raising me!  They had to endure years of slimy creepy crawly surprises in pants pockets (when doing laundry), tanks and  habitats, and other moldy-wonderment in desk drawers, due to my obvious unquenchable Science-like mind that needs-to-know-how life works! 

  Growing up, our house resembled a museum, so we consequently didn't have much in the way of big -"pets".  The minute I got my first job, at a Pet Store, I had my own place that was quickly filled to the brim with hamsters, mice, fish tanks, ratties, rabbits, and guinea pigs.  I don't think I ever made it home with a paycheck, because I spent it all..on animals! ;)  

   After High School, I ran off to college to get an art degree.  I wasn't fully satisfied thinking of a career where I was sitting on my butt drawing all day.  So, I decided to pursue my secret wish, and attended Cornell where I earned an Animal Science degree while studying microbiology, genetics and the immune system. I had thought of being a vet, so logical, however; being a mother altered my plans, but in a good way.  Packing up my AS in Art and BS in Science, I went on to St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY to start an MS in Science Education.  Now, I currently teach Middle School Science, use the art, and yes, my students know all about my passion for ratties, mice and genetics!

 I started breeding just shy of about six years ago.  However, being a mother, a teacher, and student placed constraints on me that forced the hobby to stay small.  Breedings were infrequent, until now.  With a few years of teaching under my belt, Hannah, being more self sufficient, and my-almost being done with grad school, I can concentrate all our super powers on this number one goal!  

 Introduction:

Rat Breeding is both a very wonderfully fulfilling hobby and tremendous responsibility- all at the same time.  It requires an understanding of science and more specifically, genetics. One must also have endless compassion for animals and a strong concept of ethics.  You are responsible for the daily care of many lives, no matter what, even when you are sick.  However you are also rewarded with adorable, intelligent, friendly, beautiful kittens and adult rats to share your life with.

My Responsibility to my Animals: 

A breeder is not only responsible for daily care and managing the future direction the herd will take, but to also make sure that every kitten goes to good homes.  That is why I ask everyone to fill out an adoption questionnaire, and keep it on file.  I review the answers and use this as a way to further educate the possible adopter, when necessary. Further more, I also ask every adopter to sign a pet-only contract.  This ensures that animals that are deemed pet quality are not bred without thought or care for the future of that line.  Lastly, if any animals I breed can not be cared for, I am always willing to take them back and find new homes for them.

We will do our best to adhere to the code of ethics as described by the

Great Lakes Fancy Rat Association.  

Registered Stock:

I also take the time and effort to register my animals and seek out registered stock for the continual improvement of my herd.  Kittens are  automatically registered as pet quality.  If you are an established breeder with pedigree stock and you wish to consider adopting from us for the purposes of breeding, then please contact me before filling out the adoption questionnaire. 

Organization and Future-Thinking: 

To be successful, you must have a breeding plan and not go about things in a hap- hazard way.  This for many, myself included, is often learned the hard way and is a waste of time and resources.  It is best to befriend experienced rat breeders to save yourself headaches!  Lastly, you must be dedicated to the improvement of the species, enjoy the continuation of learning new things, and be able to tolerate lots of record keeping!  :) 

 I am dedicated to what I do.  My goals for this year includes several different breeding lines that I am working on with other registered breeders.  They include  dumbo rex marked varieties, as well as self lines that can be observed through our breeding program page.

Finally, I am preparing to show my animals and researching the development of a Rochester-based Association that will organize, educate, assist with rescue, promote showing. and improvement of ratties in our area.

This is truly a rewarding hobby, well worth the effort!   

 If you have any questions please contact me at: EverwildRattery@yahoo.com

Cats and Critters

I have found many websites and breeders to be very helpful in this learning process.  The Everwild Rattery is a proud member of the following:

Associations:  

• AFRMA (American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association)
• GLFRA (Great Lakes Fancy Rat Association)

• NARR (North American Rat Registry)

Forums and Fast Communication:

• Twitter: everwildrattery
• Yahoo Groups (EverwildRattery)
• NYC Rat Meet-up
• ESRS
  
• Yahoo Groups (Rat Fan Club)
• Face Book look up Shelley Belluccio Walker and send a friend request to chat live.
• Myspace: www.myspace.com/wildwyskerz
• Yahoo IM: EverwildRattery
  

  When I say "we" I mean my daughter, Hannah, and my boyfriend Bob, who without their help there would be no Everwild.  Hannah is my assistant, in charge of socialization.  Bob is the grunt man who helps with the "manly jobs" and loves to play with ratties too!

 Here is a pic of Hannah, covered in ratties, being her normal very serious self! :)

 The Rat Room:

About a year ago, we built a 10 X 10 foot room in the house just for the animals!  This room houses both our mice and ratties.  This climate controlled "bedroom" is kept at 70 degrees, is well lit, and or receives natural sun light during the day.  This spacious area allows me to organize cages, food and bedding. It is kept as clean as I can get it...if you own ratties you know where I am going with this.  I change cages weekly,feed and water daily, vacuum and mop the floor on the weekends, and maintain good air quality with the use of a ceiling fan and ventilation. 

We have four adult cages, four cages/tubs for young bucks and does, a breeding cage, and finally, 3-5 nurseries for moms and babies. The image below shows the three cages that house the adults.  They are all in the cages, even though you can see them.  They are all in the hammocks sleep'n! :)  lol  See the cage below this pic to get an idea of the "arrangement" for a typical cage set up to keep the ratties happy.   

Vistors:

I don't have a problem showing people pictures of the rattery. Pictures of the rattery are available on this website, per request, or in the live journal.  However; I do not entertain visitors at this time.  Our clothing can carry viruses and bacteria that can be potentially deadly. Therefore, in order to protect my ratties, I will make arrangements for you to pick up the kittens at a specific location rather than have you come to the house.  

We would love to hear from you every now and then.  Please let us know how your new ratties are doing. Pictures and funny stories are always a pleasure to see.  :)  Send them in and join the "Our Friends" page so we can add your testimonial.  

You can also twitter or join live journal (free) and comment on our entries!  

Please don't forget, communicate with us if your rattie gets sick or passes away.  

If you have any questions you can either email us or you now have the option of communicating through our online forum at our Live Journal (wildwyskerz.livejournal.com) just respond to leave a comment.