www.everwildrattery.com

I received an email a month back from a person who was interested in being placed on my waiting list.  They were asking for something right away, but I didn't have any kittens available at the time.  I suggested a fellow rattery that might have something soon.  Instead, they went to pet store and purchased a young female and as it turned out the rat was pregnant.  Within a short amount of time, the pet owner contacted me for help, as they were unsure what they should do.

This predicament has prompted me to decide to write a short article on reasons for adopting from breeders instead of supporting pet store rat breeding.  The perfect rattie is so much more than the way it looks. A wonderful pet starts before it is born.  It must have generations of thoughtful pairing between healthy, friendly rats of the best type, fed well its entire life, and given the proper handling and care.  Records must be kept on health, and pedigree.  Time must be put into fun stimulation through interesting and appropriate toys, and continual socialization and love... of not only the parental generation but also the kittens.  Once the kittens are four weeks, the bucks must be separated from the does.  By six weeks, they are on their way to a good home that was pre-screened by the breeder.  The kittens have a cage set up waiting for them and their owners waited four weeks to adopt them so that, when they arrive they are a special addition to the household and not an impulse buy.  They will be cherished for their short three year existence and not dumped off or forgotten.  Lastly, if there is any problem or question, the breeder will be there to assist and work with the new owner because they love the rats they breed. 

The reputable breeder does all of that and more because they do not breed for profit, nor for the purpose of feeding rats to other animals, but to improve the world's best pet.

It is beyond my power to prevent indiscriminate breeding.  All I can do is invest time and energy into educating the importance of adopting from some who is dedicated to the future of the rat, not the future of the store and their paycheck.