Breeding Ethics and Policies
I will only breed 1-3 litters at a time, so that every baby rat will be properly socialized and if any mothers abandon their babies, or dies due to complications, then I will have another lactating female who will be able to foster the other babies.
Further more, I know that snakes have to eat, and they need feeder rats for that, But don't even think of asking me. I will NEVER EVER breed to feed snakes or sell them to those that will breed for that purpose. Rats are very dear to me, so adopters will have to go through a bit of a screening process.
Here at Rat Crew Rattery, I strongly believe that any animal, should be treated as part of the family. Therefore, all my rats are treated as my children. They get respect, stimulation, exercise, playtime, regular checkups, and LOTS and LOTS of Loving :)
In the section below I have answered all the questions that a potential adopter may ask and was suggested to adopters to ask in order to see if the breeder is ethical and reputable. If any one has any other questions about how I run my rattery then please do not hesitate to contact me :)
Further more, I know that snakes have to eat, and they need feeder rats for that, But don't even think of asking me. I will NEVER EVER breed to feed snakes or sell them to those that will breed for that purpose. Rats are very dear to me, so adopters will have to go through a bit of a screening process.
Here at Rat Crew Rattery, I strongly believe that any animal, should be treated as part of the family. Therefore, all my rats are treated as my children. They get respect, stimulation, exercise, playtime, regular checkups, and LOTS and LOTS of Loving :)
In the section below I have answered all the questions that a potential adopter may ask and was suggested to adopters to ask in order to see if the breeder is ethical and reputable. If any one has any other questions about how I run my rattery then please do not hesitate to contact me :)
- How many animals do you have?
- I currently have 4 cats, 1 dog, 14 goldfish, 4 Pleco's and 11 tetra's. All of my animals have more information about them in their sections. Please visit My Other Pets page for pictures and more ^__^.
- Do all animals get handled regularly?
- Of course, everyday all my pets get some form of affection from my family and I. Whether it's snuggles in bed or on the couch, or their out of cage time or just a casual walk-past-the-cage-and-quick-pettings or day trips.
- Are all animals provided with time out of their cage regularly?
- Yes as answered above, my rats all get ample time outside of their cages to climb all over me or my friends and family and they have an out of cage time table that they roam daily.
- What kind of housing do you provide your animals with?
- Please see my Care page as it has pictures of all the cages I use. I also provide either an igloo, a hut or a hiding hut of some sorts and Hammocks which I also sell in my Store
- What variety of litter and bedding do you use?
- Please see my Care page, as it has pictures of the cages as well as the litter that I use for them.
- How often are they cleaned out? What is your husbandry routine?
- I do a full cage clean at least once a week. On that day I take the rats out set them up in a temporary cage or their play area and then take all the hammocks out and put them in the wash. Then I take all the cage furniture (huts, wheels, dishes, litter boxes) out and put it in the bathtub, where I spray it all down with vinegar and water and wipe down with a cloth. I then take the bottoms of the cages and shelves (big plastic things of the critter nation, or just the bottom plastic section of the other cages) and spray them down with vinegar and water and wipe them down in the tub as well. Next I take a bowl of hot water and vinegar and a cloth, and proceed to wipe down all the bars of the cages. Then I dry everything and hang new hammocks and put everything else back. I top up their food and put everyone back in. I also do a few spot cleans during the week. and on those times I clean their food dish, their wheels, their huts, and shelves if it's needed.
- Are they kept in a suitable environment? (e.g. within the home, within a heated outbuilding).
- Yes, My rats are in a room of their own. So I am in there almost all the time that I am home. I keep my house toasty warm in the winter, and cooled with an air conditioner in the summer.
- What diet do you feed them? (Dry and Fresh)
- I feed them Oxbow Adult Rat food, various cereals, split peas, banana chips, cranberries, all vegetable pasta, various types of seeds. I also give them fresh fruit (a few black berries, strawberries, banana's, watermelon, honey dew melon) and vegetables (peas, broccoli, cauliflower). For pregnant and young rats I also give them hard boiled eggs, and porridge.
- How healthy in general are the rats you breed?
- I have just recently started breeding and so far their has only been micoplasma flair ups. Other then that everyone is in good condition, no tumors and no megacolon. If A tumor pops up more then once in a line I will end the line in my breeding program. If megacolon pops up even once, I will immediately end that line.
- Are there any problems in your lines that might affect rats we have from you?
- none that have popped up so far. I will keep this updated if anything does pop up though.
- What is the general temperament of the rats you breed?
- The general temperament is snuggly and kissy rats that just want to be with you. They are VERY trusting and will willingly climb onto your hand if presented to them. They will ALWAYS greet you at their cage door, just to be picked up, kissed, snuggled, petted or just to see if you brought them a treat this time.
- How many have you had to have neutered due to poor temperament?
- The general temperament is great. So far I have not had to neuter any rats.
- Will you provide ongoing support if I need it?
- Yes, Of course! In fact I encourage you to ask me ANY questions you may have, and to keep me informed of anything that happens to the rat that has been adopted out.
- What will happen if I can no longer keep a rat bought from you - will you take the rat back?
- YES!!! I require that you sign a legally binding contract stating that if for what ever reason you cannot keep your rat that you have adopted from me, then please send him/her back to me. I do not wish to see any of my rats in a rescue, a pet store, or a humane society. Every rat that is adopted out from me, will always have a home with me here at the rattery.
- When you breed a litter, where are the babies housed?
- When I breed my girls I have a small cage that I set up and a few days before the rats' due date I clean out their litter. I also use these cages as my temporary cages. Please see my Care page for pictures :)
- How often are the babies handled and from what age?
- I handle the babies everyday from the day of birth. At first just a few minutes here and there through out the day until their eyes open. Then I take them out and full on snuggle them and play with them for about 30 mins - 1 hour a few times a day.
- What diet do you provide to babies and lactating mothers?
- Oxbow's Young mouse and rat food is their main diet, then I also supply them with porridge mixed with flax seed oil, vitamin B complex and calcium. I also give them hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Do you cull babies in litters?
- I will NEVER, cull any of my litters no matter how many babies there are. Every rat deserves a chance at life, and every rat in my care will get the best life that I can offer.
- Do you cull adults or elderly rats?
- NO!!! For starters how would I be able to know if I am bettering the species in regards to lengthening their lives if I killed them? I wouldn't. So killing- sorry culling, any rat defeats the purpose of bettering the rats as a species. I would never even think of doing this. If I bring a life into the world, well guess what, I'm stuck with it until it passes away on it's own. I am adamantly against culling ANY animal. If you cannot take care of the animal, or you do not have the room for the animal, then you should never have gotten it in the first place, or you should surrender it to someone who can provide the loving home it needs and deserves.
- Do you seek veterinary treatment for your animals? Can you recommend a vet for us (if living in the local area)?
- Yes I do and yes I can ^_^.
- The Vet I used to see is Dr. Sasha Kotzeff at the North Heritage Animal Hospital in Owen Sound. 2013-2015
- In Nova Scotia the vet I see is at Nova Vets in Hebbs Cross
- Would you be happy for us to visit you to meet you and your rats before the babies are ready to leave?
- By appointment only and with stipulations. This is for the protection of the rats and is a quarantine issue. For further details about the adoption process please visit my Adoption Process page.
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