Annie's Rodents
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| Radical Rats |
Where do I find a good rat?
There are several places you can find pet rats.
Pet Stores -- This is the most common choice, but not necessarily the best one.
While some pet stores may have some well socialized pet rats, most sell rats as
feeders and so the rats don't get much handling. Most pet stores will cram as
many rodents into one tank as possible, without any thought of whether the
animals are sick or new and without bothering to separate out males and
females. There's a good chance if you buy a female rat from a pet store, she's
already pregnant.
Prices at most pet stores can range from $5 - $10.
Breeders -- Yes, there are rat breeders, just like dog and cat breeders. Pet or
show rat breeders call themselves "ratteries". Many good breeders are listed with
the various Fancy Rat and Mouse clubs located in different countries and attend rat
shows. These breeders can usually provide you with a pedigree which will give
you the names of parents, grandparents and usually great-grandparents for their
babies. Rats born at ratteries are usually handled starting at a very young age and
are usually very well socialised and friendly.
There are also "feeder breeders", which are generally frowned upon by show or pet
breeders. Most feeder breeders raise their rats for the sole purpose of being food
and don't spend much time handling their rats. There are some breeders who
raise rats as pets and food. These breeders are not very common, but with a few
simple questions, you'll be able to tell who really cares about their rats and who is
just breeding them to feed to a snake.
Prices at breeders can range from $5 - $50 depending on whether the rat is
considered show quality or not.
Rescues -- Most cities have a small animal rescue and most of these SAR's have
at least a few rats looking for a new home. Rats in rescues are usually cared for in
foster homes and have usually been handled often to help socialize them for a
new home. There is usually no way of knowing how old a rat is, but most rescues
will be able to give you an estimate.
Adoption fees can vary from rescue to rescue, but most rescues usually charge an
average of $5 - $10.
Online or Newspaper ads -- There are many places online to place free ads and
most of them have a place for pets.
Prices can vary from free to $15.
There are several places you can find pet rats.
Pet Stores -- This is the most common choice, but not necessarily the best one.
While some pet stores may have some well socialized pet rats, most sell rats as
feeders and so the rats don't get much handling. Most pet stores will cram as
many rodents into one tank as possible, without any thought of whether the
animals are sick or new and without bothering to separate out males and
females. There's a good chance if you buy a female rat from a pet store, she's
already pregnant.
Prices at most pet stores can range from $5 - $10.
Breeders -- Yes, there are rat breeders, just like dog and cat breeders. Pet or
show rat breeders call themselves "ratteries". Many good breeders are listed with
the various Fancy Rat and Mouse clubs located in different countries and attend rat
shows. These breeders can usually provide you with a pedigree which will give
you the names of parents, grandparents and usually great-grandparents for their
babies. Rats born at ratteries are usually handled starting at a very young age and
are usually very well socialised and friendly.
There are also "feeder breeders", which are generally frowned upon by show or pet
breeders. Most feeder breeders raise their rats for the sole purpose of being food
and don't spend much time handling their rats. There are some breeders who
raise rats as pets and food. These breeders are not very common, but with a few
simple questions, you'll be able to tell who really cares about their rats and who is
just breeding them to feed to a snake.
Prices at breeders can range from $5 - $50 depending on whether the rat is
considered show quality or not.
Rescues -- Most cities have a small animal rescue and most of these SAR's have
at least a few rats looking for a new home. Rats in rescues are usually cared for in
foster homes and have usually been handled often to help socialize them for a
new home. There is usually no way of knowing how old a rat is, but most rescues
will be able to give you an estimate.
Adoption fees can vary from rescue to rescue, but most rescues usually charge an
average of $5 - $10.
Online or Newspaper ads -- There are many places online to place free ads and
most of them have a place for pets.
Prices can vary from free to $15.