I am currently breeding 5th generation breed family pets from rats with documented lifespans of 3 years and up, and high resistant to tumors and respiratory illness. Every rat I bred for the first 3 generations was kept here in the Rattery for observation, very few available from time to time. On my facebook page you can scroll my timeline to find pictures of my "ratten" as babies in 2015 ... that are still living today with no signs of hind-end degeneration or any other illness. At the time I purchased "Moe" and "Gus" in Texas for a trick and training project ), I had no intention of ever breeding again. I owned and trained horses, traveling heavily and working 24/7. By the time M & G reached two, I realized I had something unique and worth sharing--a rat that was robust, clever, fearless and friendly. While other breeders had a plethora of varieties and lines to boast, I have only this one that I focused all my efforts on-- and am now very proud to have seen through, despite wanting to give up from the difficulty of it. While in the 'test phase' of my special line, I founded Ratopia Rescue, dedicated to Mrs. Frisbee and her multi-age family which I found at Mississauga Animal Services while dropping off food and bedding there. Most recently I founded the Canadian Rat Society to raise the bar of rat welfare for breeders, and bring together again the Canadian community via rescue, comradeship and education. The CRS is different because it tells breeders what we want from *them, not the other way around.
Education: My degree in Anthropological Science instilled in me the basics in human and animal anatomy, physiology, behavior and evolutionary processes. My courses in Osteology, Pathology, Kinesiology and Virology were especially useful in setting up and maintaining a healthy breeding group and rescue.
Practical: 25 years of being a keeper/groom, owning and training competition horses, including daily consults and specialized training by vets, developed advanced knowledge of: Animal behavior and biology, environment safety and sanitation, nutrition, illness and injury management, disease control and prevention, administering medications, respiratory therapy, & a knowledge of structure and function (eg. conformation and movement).
My first spay and tumor removal was done by Dr. Hess of Acton in 2001, before there became a protocol for rats. I worked with local exotics vets to adapt performance horse regimens into advanced medication protocols for rats, that did not become accepted practice for rats till over 10 years later: prednisone, guaifenesin, acetylecysteine, and more. Also via my vets I was referred clients whose rats needed advanced palliative care or, in my vets' words, a more specialized understanding of pet rat needs. I frequently boarded these rats overnight, tube-fed and administered IV and injectible medications.
Ethical: My granddad was an Alsatian breeder and we had an animal-centric upbringing with our pet(s) always the center of the household. The compassion and respect for animals we were taught led me to found "Zen Rattery" from 2001-2005, and affiliate rescue "Bumpus Place." My current rescue, "Ratopia-Hearts of Fluff" (2016-present) is gearing down as I open Emergent Rattery to limited public adoptions.
Financial: Secure full-time job and apartment in Toronto with 22-foot playroom for the rats.
Education: My degree in Anthropological Science instilled in me the basics in human and animal anatomy, physiology, behavior and evolutionary processes. My courses in Osteology, Pathology, Kinesiology and Virology were especially useful in setting up and maintaining a healthy breeding group and rescue.
Practical: 25 years of being a keeper/groom, owning and training competition horses, including daily consults and specialized training by vets, developed advanced knowledge of: Animal behavior and biology, environment safety and sanitation, nutrition, illness and injury management, disease control and prevention, administering medications, respiratory therapy, & a knowledge of structure and function (eg. conformation and movement).
My first spay and tumor removal was done by Dr. Hess of Acton in 2001, before there became a protocol for rats. I worked with local exotics vets to adapt performance horse regimens into advanced medication protocols for rats, that did not become accepted practice for rats till over 10 years later: prednisone, guaifenesin, acetylecysteine, and more. Also via my vets I was referred clients whose rats needed advanced palliative care or, in my vets' words, a more specialized understanding of pet rat needs. I frequently boarded these rats overnight, tube-fed and administered IV and injectible medications.
Ethical: My granddad was an Alsatian breeder and we had an animal-centric upbringing with our pet(s) always the center of the household. The compassion and respect for animals we were taught led me to found "Zen Rattery" from 2001-2005, and affiliate rescue "Bumpus Place." My current rescue, "Ratopia-Hearts of Fluff" (2016-present) is gearing down as I open Emergent Rattery to limited public adoptions.
Financial: Secure full-time job and apartment in Toronto with 22-foot playroom for the rats.
RATTERY GOALS
- To raise rats as family pets, and for the purpose of becoming family pets.
- To maintain my long-lived, tumor-free bloodline by only swapping rats with breeders in agreement with the Code of Ethics
- To maintain my exciting "trick and training" bloodline, and introduce rat shows with a "Sport Rat" category
- To create a 2nd "Ragdoll" bloodline by 2021
- To contribute to the rescue or rehoming of unwanted rats in my area