Our Breeders...
Are not permitted to "farm" rats. Farming defined as producing for reptile feed or retailers. Breeder is defined in a historical sense as the art of raising quality animals and synonymous with pride and excellence in their welfare
Comment: I cannot trust any rat breeder that collects large reptiles. While clever marketers and people-foolers, they're no friend to rats: they are lovers of novelty and mutations. They don't feel compassion for their rats --yet we should trust your judgement as their breeder? Although farming rodents for the pet food supply is understandable, the deceptive practice of "feeding off" pet retired breeders and imperfectly coloured babies is an abomination! Not to mention cheating --as the individual is fast-tracking their color goals without investing the same time and $$ as others to care for their pets through their life. Would you feed your sick or elderly rats to a reptile to skip on euthanasia costs? Would you trust a dog breeder who feeds old or surplus dogs to a wild animal? As far as pet store suppliers --would any breeder who cares about their animals ever send them out into the world to unknown homes? If they don't care about what happens to their rats afterwards, what makes you think they care if their rats carry diseases? or get tumors at 6 months? Or bite your finger off? Read an open letter from an ethical breeder here...
Will rats as house pets, as to know the offspring will be good pets as well. "Milling" or the practice of storing large numbers of animals in outbuildings is frowned upon
Comment: In big metropolitan cities it's more common for breeders to raise more rats than they can provide enrichment and exercise for, or even keep indoors. With the full time job necessary to provide for cages, toys, nutrient mashes and medical bills, I'll be honest and admit that even for myself who manages a large horse stable --that 18 adult rats, 8 rescues and 40 babies is exhausting! Not counting nursing care for the sick and elderly, health/temperament evaluations and socialization of the babies. Why keep any animal in a cage just to look at? I would never buy from a breeder that does. Where possible, I even make the effort to take my rats outside. Aren't the sunshine, foliage and fresh air are the birthright of every living creature on this planet?
Are not permitted to "farm" rats. Farming defined as producing for reptile feed or retailers. Breeder is defined in a historical sense as the art of raising quality animals and synonymous with pride and excellence in their welfare
Comment: I cannot trust any rat breeder that collects large reptiles. While clever marketers and people-foolers, they're no friend to rats: they are lovers of novelty and mutations. They don't feel compassion for their rats --yet we should trust your judgement as their breeder? Although farming rodents for the pet food supply is understandable, the deceptive practice of "feeding off" pet retired breeders and imperfectly coloured babies is an abomination! Not to mention cheating --as the individual is fast-tracking their color goals without investing the same time and $$ as others to care for their pets through their life. Would you feed your sick or elderly rats to a reptile to skip on euthanasia costs? Would you trust a dog breeder who feeds old or surplus dogs to a wild animal? As far as pet store suppliers --would any breeder who cares about their animals ever send them out into the world to unknown homes? If they don't care about what happens to their rats afterwards, what makes you think they care if their rats carry diseases? or get tumors at 6 months? Or bite your finger off? Read an open letter from an ethical breeder here...
Will rats as house pets, as to know the offspring will be good pets as well. "Milling" or the practice of storing large numbers of animals in outbuildings is frowned upon
Comment: In big metropolitan cities it's more common for breeders to raise more rats than they can provide enrichment and exercise for, or even keep indoors. With the full time job necessary to provide for cages, toys, nutrient mashes and medical bills, I'll be honest and admit that even for myself who manages a large horse stable --that 18 adult rats, 8 rescues and 40 babies is exhausting! Not counting nursing care for the sick and elderly, health/temperament evaluations and socialization of the babies. Why keep any animal in a cage just to look at? I would never buy from a breeder that does. Where possible, I even make the effort to take my rats outside. Aren't the sunshine, foliage and fresh air are the birthright of every living creature on this planet?
Will not produce more rats than able to place, nor allow any of their progeny to end up in the rescue population for any reason whatsoever
Comment: During my 3 years as Ratopia Rescue from 2014-2017 I sometimes encountered rats from other breeders in the shelter or classified ad populations. I was told that their breeders refused to take them back due to possible transfer of germs. While a single germ can kill an entire rattery, there is no reason the breeder can't take responsibility, and board their unwanted rats with a friend, or other separate airspace until rehomed.
Agree that no healthy rat be killed. Will not unethically dispense with unplaced rats such as dump at pet stores or feed to snakes.
Comment: If not adopted, a real rat fancier does not dump older rats to make room for more babies. For example, we have slowed down our breeding program by 3 years for the welfare of all rats and all rescues involved. From our motto: Patience is Virtue.
Must not keep large reptiles or raptors in the home, or defraud clients with the intent behind breeding rats
Should have a clearly defined plan and purpose including structurally sound, healthy, stable animals.
To ensure the rats I planned to adopt to the public were healthy, I kept all adults and offspring for the first 3 years (2014-2017). The rats I'm breeding from currently have grandparents that passed the 3 year mark in good health, or still living.
Will demonstrate extensive knowledge of their rats' history, traits, temperament and conformation, as well as health, development, nutrition, socialization, and a functional knowledge of their genetics
Will keep detailed documentation of lineage.
Will not breed from a rat which could be in any way harmful to the rat or the variety
Will not create demand for nor supply rats prone to respiratory infections, tumors, aggression, maloccluded teeth or with hereditary defects such as megacolon, seizures, blood-clotting disorders, and cardiomyopathy
Comment: Most new fancy varieties and mutations come at a cost. While it's ok for breeders to supply new 'test varieties' to other breeders for years of testing and refining, it's not ok to adopt them to unknowing children and families. Read this, from an adoptor and former Guinea Pig breeder
Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of, falsely advertise nor mislead anyone regarding the health or qualities of a rat, including what purpose it was bred for
Will personally screen and select good homes for their rats
Where appropriate, place rats with a contract, details of dietary requirements and responsible ownership guidelines
Guarantee health and temperament and agree to take back a rat at any point in its life that the owner can no longer care for it
Will properly house, feed, water, provide enrichment for and exercise their animals, and arrange for appropriate medical care
Will not knowingly Adopt-to or Adopt-from other unethical breeders
Abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
We support Rescues and will not turn our backs on them
Contrary to trollish rumors spread on the more juvenile forums, some of the best breeders also work with rescues. It's likely that the caring for rats independently of the profit-aspect that governs their decisions and makes them careful and more conscientious breeders
Comment: During my 3 years as Ratopia Rescue from 2014-2017 I sometimes encountered rats from other breeders in the shelter or classified ad populations. I was told that their breeders refused to take them back due to possible transfer of germs. While a single germ can kill an entire rattery, there is no reason the breeder can't take responsibility, and board their unwanted rats with a friend, or other separate airspace until rehomed.
Agree that no healthy rat be killed. Will not unethically dispense with unplaced rats such as dump at pet stores or feed to snakes.
Comment: If not adopted, a real rat fancier does not dump older rats to make room for more babies. For example, we have slowed down our breeding program by 3 years for the welfare of all rats and all rescues involved. From our motto: Patience is Virtue.
Must not keep large reptiles or raptors in the home, or defraud clients with the intent behind breeding rats
Should have a clearly defined plan and purpose including structurally sound, healthy, stable animals.
To ensure the rats I planned to adopt to the public were healthy, I kept all adults and offspring for the first 3 years (2014-2017). The rats I'm breeding from currently have grandparents that passed the 3 year mark in good health, or still living.
Will demonstrate extensive knowledge of their rats' history, traits, temperament and conformation, as well as health, development, nutrition, socialization, and a functional knowledge of their genetics
Will keep detailed documentation of lineage.
Will not breed from a rat which could be in any way harmful to the rat or the variety
Will not create demand for nor supply rats prone to respiratory infections, tumors, aggression, maloccluded teeth or with hereditary defects such as megacolon, seizures, blood-clotting disorders, and cardiomyopathy
Comment: Most new fancy varieties and mutations come at a cost. While it's ok for breeders to supply new 'test varieties' to other breeders for years of testing and refining, it's not ok to adopt them to unknowing children and families. Read this, from an adoptor and former Guinea Pig breeder
Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of, falsely advertise nor mislead anyone regarding the health or qualities of a rat, including what purpose it was bred for
Will personally screen and select good homes for their rats
Where appropriate, place rats with a contract, details of dietary requirements and responsible ownership guidelines
Guarantee health and temperament and agree to take back a rat at any point in its life that the owner can no longer care for it
Will properly house, feed, water, provide enrichment for and exercise their animals, and arrange for appropriate medical care
Will not knowingly Adopt-to or Adopt-from other unethical breeders
Abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
We support Rescues and will not turn our backs on them
Contrary to trollish rumors spread on the more juvenile forums, some of the best breeders also work with rescues. It's likely that the caring for rats independently of the profit-aspect that governs their decisions and makes them careful and more conscientious breeders
It's time adoptors started telling breeders what they expect from them, instead of the other way around. Comment if you agree. And please stand up for the rat!
Also, if you feel more inspired, please also answer our Call To Action