What are the advantages of adopting from a registered reputable Breeder rather then a pet store?
a unregistered breeder? or the breeders on Kijiji or Craigslist?
Written by: Melissa Crew
revised on: march 9th, 2014
(PLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE MY OWN THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER)
Just like there is a difference between Wild versus Domestic rats there is a huge difference between Pet store versus Reputable Breeder. They differ in Knowledge and support for the customer, Temperaments and Health. It ultimately comes down to why the animal was bred and the amount of time is dedicated into socializing them.
Pet store rats have been bred for the purpose of being fed as food to a snake and for the purpose of profit. These rats are often not handled often right from birth which results in a skittish rat that is afraid of you, hands, being picked up, and being in an open space. Fear can cause rats to bite or will cause them to almost shut down to the idea of interacting with you. A rat breed by a proper breeder will greet you at the cage door, accept treats from you, will give you kisses, will be more interested in snuggling or interacting with their owners. A good quality breeder only breeds from pedigreed rats that are top notch in health, longevity and temperament. They will always be around to answer any questions that you may have and are willing to work with you throughout the rats life. Pedigree's are public knowledge on NARR (only if they are registered). "Feeder breeders" and Pet stores usually do not have records of parents, because they simply keep males and females all together and let them breed freely, so they don't know who dad is; half the time, they don't even know who mom is. Pet stores who breed, are only breeding for increase profit or out of pure ignorance; they either did not realize they had to be separated at a specific age, they did not properly sex all the rats when they separated them, or they just don't care. The best thing about a pedigree itself, is that it shows that the rats had names and were bred together for the purpose of breeding a litter that is even better versions of the parents. It also shows that they were loved pets, not just stock on a shelf. Through the use of a pedigree, breeders will know if any of their rats are prone to tumors, heart conditions, mega colon, or lung failure because good breeders get necropsy's done on all of their breeding rats. If such ailments do occur in their bloodlines, they end the bloodline and never breed a sick rat.
Further more, the most respectable breeders out there will only have a few litters a year for the first few years, so as to properly socialize their babies and find their forever homes. They do NOT mass produce rats for the sake of earning money, feeding snakes or just having cute little babies to play with. This is a hobby not a business, They breed responsibly for the betterment of the species as a whole. Registered breeders do not have any accidental litters or adopt out pregnant rats, which might overwhelm a new pet rat owner, as all rats are paired together with the purpose of producing improved versions of their parent rats. If you ask a breeder for a same sex pair of rats, then you will definitely get a same sex pair. Good breeders know the genders of their rats from the start, so there is no need in questioning "what gender is my rats?", "IF its a girl what should I name her?"
Moreover, a good breeder knows the colors, pattern and coat types that they are working with, so they can tell you the proper term for the rat you are adopting, whether it is a blue capped, or a black Berkshire, or a Burmese Irish. A good breeder will ask for the going rate of approximately $25 or more for their rats, as they are trying to deter people with the intention of buying their rats as feeders, as well as to help cover the costs of housing, feeding and raising the babies as well as any unexpected vet bills. If someone is selling their rats for any cheaper then there is a good probability that they are not taking pride in their rats and the work that they and many other breeders have accomplished over the years; or they could just be a pet store.
So to say the least a registered reputable breeder is hard to find, but when they are found they have superb rats that are well looked after and cared for, as the rat itself will be very well tempered, and will live a long healthy life if they are cared for properly.
To support this article please visit this site: www.brecklagh.com/petshops
All my answers to the questions asked in the article from the site above can be found on my Ethics and Policies page
Pet store rats have been bred for the purpose of being fed as food to a snake and for the purpose of profit. These rats are often not handled often right from birth which results in a skittish rat that is afraid of you, hands, being picked up, and being in an open space. Fear can cause rats to bite or will cause them to almost shut down to the idea of interacting with you. A rat breed by a proper breeder will greet you at the cage door, accept treats from you, will give you kisses, will be more interested in snuggling or interacting with their owners. A good quality breeder only breeds from pedigreed rats that are top notch in health, longevity and temperament. They will always be around to answer any questions that you may have and are willing to work with you throughout the rats life. Pedigree's are public knowledge on NARR (only if they are registered). "Feeder breeders" and Pet stores usually do not have records of parents, because they simply keep males and females all together and let them breed freely, so they don't know who dad is; half the time, they don't even know who mom is. Pet stores who breed, are only breeding for increase profit or out of pure ignorance; they either did not realize they had to be separated at a specific age, they did not properly sex all the rats when they separated them, or they just don't care. The best thing about a pedigree itself, is that it shows that the rats had names and were bred together for the purpose of breeding a litter that is even better versions of the parents. It also shows that they were loved pets, not just stock on a shelf. Through the use of a pedigree, breeders will know if any of their rats are prone to tumors, heart conditions, mega colon, or lung failure because good breeders get necropsy's done on all of their breeding rats. If such ailments do occur in their bloodlines, they end the bloodline and never breed a sick rat.
Further more, the most respectable breeders out there will only have a few litters a year for the first few years, so as to properly socialize their babies and find their forever homes. They do NOT mass produce rats for the sake of earning money, feeding snakes or just having cute little babies to play with. This is a hobby not a business, They breed responsibly for the betterment of the species as a whole. Registered breeders do not have any accidental litters or adopt out pregnant rats, which might overwhelm a new pet rat owner, as all rats are paired together with the purpose of producing improved versions of their parent rats. If you ask a breeder for a same sex pair of rats, then you will definitely get a same sex pair. Good breeders know the genders of their rats from the start, so there is no need in questioning "what gender is my rats?", "IF its a girl what should I name her?"
Moreover, a good breeder knows the colors, pattern and coat types that they are working with, so they can tell you the proper term for the rat you are adopting, whether it is a blue capped, or a black Berkshire, or a Burmese Irish. A good breeder will ask for the going rate of approximately $25 or more for their rats, as they are trying to deter people with the intention of buying their rats as feeders, as well as to help cover the costs of housing, feeding and raising the babies as well as any unexpected vet bills. If someone is selling their rats for any cheaper then there is a good probability that they are not taking pride in their rats and the work that they and many other breeders have accomplished over the years; or they could just be a pet store.
So to say the least a registered reputable breeder is hard to find, but when they are found they have superb rats that are well looked after and cared for, as the rat itself will be very well tempered, and will live a long healthy life if they are cared for properly.
To support this article please visit this site: www.brecklagh.com/petshops
All my answers to the questions asked in the article from the site above can be found on my Ethics and Policies page
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All Rights Reserved