Useful Links
Random useful bits
National Fancy Rat Society - http://www.nfrs.org/
RatRations - http://www.ratrations.com/
Cosy Beds and Burrows - http://www.cosybedsandburrows.com/
The Farm and Pet Place - http://www.farmandpetplace.co.uk/
Medic Animal - http://www.medicanimal.com/
Hawthorn Rat Varieties Page - http://ratvarieties.com/
Other local ratteries
Stovokor rattery (near Wigan) - http://stovokorrats.weebly.com/
Aeris rattery (Merseyside) - http://www.freewebs.com/aeris-rats/
Queen rattery (Bradford) - http://www.queenrattery.co.uk/
National Fancy Rat Society - http://www.nfrs.org/
RatRations - http://www.ratrations.com/
Cosy Beds and Burrows - http://www.cosybedsandburrows.com/
The Farm and Pet Place - http://www.farmandpetplace.co.uk/
Medic Animal - http://www.medicanimal.com/
Hawthorn Rat Varieties Page - http://ratvarieties.com/
Other local ratteries
Stovokor rattery (near Wigan) - http://stovokorrats.weebly.com/
Aeris rattery (Merseyside) - http://www.freewebs.com/aeris-rats/
Queen rattery (Bradford) - http://www.queenrattery.co.uk/
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are breeders better than pet shops or rescues?
Well, the truth is that that isn't always the case. Some breeders do not always behave in the best interest of their animals, which is why it is important for people to speak to any breeders they get animals from and get an understanding of their ethics. I have had some fantastic pets that were rescues, and I support and rescue where I can, but that doesn't mean that they are suitable for everyone. Pets from rescues have often come from foul conditions, where rats have been bred with no form of selection in mind, as have pets from pet shops, This lack of selection makes the chance to having healthy, well tempered animals much less. On that same vein rescuing animals is incredibly rewarding, and there are so many neglected animals out there, I would hate for them to go un-homed, but they would not be there if the only breeders were responsible ones. For young families especially, having rats from a breeder who has handled them from birth, gives them peace of mind.
I just got my baby rats home and they are scared...what do I do?
People often assume that because babies have been handled since birth, they can just transition to a new home straight away and this simply isn't true. On 'the Needs of Rats' I discussed the fact that rats take security in their own smell, and this is one of the main reasons they can be stressed by moving house. They have a new cage, in a new house, with new smells everywhere and humans that smell and sound different - nothing about their new life is 'theirs'. I always recommend leaving them for 24 hours in their cage, so that they can feel at home. Having a 'base' will make them much more confident when it comes to handling them. I also recommend that any hides are removed, so that they simply have to adjust to the sights and sounds of their new home without hiding. Rats are clever, and if they are nervous and you afford them the opportunity to avoid you then that is what they will do. After a couple of days they should have calmed down and be happy to come to you from their cage, then you can put hides back in if you want them.
On your form you mention extra dietary needs for babies...what do you mean?
By this I simply mean fulfilling their extra protein requirements while they are young. They don't need masses of extra food, but bits of egg (you can leave the shell on for entertainment value), meat and fish will certainly help them on their way to growing up to be big and strong. They can have cooked chicken bones unlike dogs, they grind rather than chew so splintering isn't an issue. I throw the carcass in the cage after I have made a roast dinner and they devour it.
Do you cull?
I do not have a problem with culling when for the right reason, but believe that it should always be done as humanely as possible, be it with a vet or with at home. Personally, I will never cull any kitten for not being show quality as my rats are always pets first, and the runty kittens will always get given the best possible chance of survival that I can give them, but inevitably one day a kitten will be born deformed or ill in some way, in which case euthanasia may well be the kindest option.
Incest...yes or no?
Well, the short answer is that inbreeding is not a 'bad' thing, but it is not something that should be done all the time either. The reason that inbreeding is believed to be bad, is that it increases the likelihood that any recessive genes have an effect on the animal. This is because related animals often carry the same recessive genes, but may never appear to have an effect because there is a dominant gene with them. By breeding two rats together that are closely related (for example, father and daughter) the likelihood is that some of the offspring will have a combination of the recessive gene from the mother, and one from the father, and with no dominant gene present the effect of the gene may finally become apparent. Now, to some, this is 'bad' because it means that now there is something potentially harmful brought to the surface genetically, but for the same reason it is perceived to be bad, it can also be considered a very helpful tool. Being able to bring out hidden recessives enables breeders to know what is going on with their animals genetically, and allows the discontinuation or deliberate out-crossing of the line to ensure that future problems do not arise. Personally, I consider knowing what is there genetically and having to work around it to be the responsible way to handle a breeding line, rather than constant out-crossing which can just lead to a multitude of hidden recessives being swept under the genetic carpet.
Why do you want to breed when there is already such a large rat population?
The growing popularity of rats as pets is leading to an increase in sales from pet shops. This means that more and more rats are being bred at rodent farms. These rats don't get proper handling from birth, are from parents whose personality and health is disregarded, and are raised in accommodation that is much too small for them. These rats are mistreated, abused and neglected, and for every £10 someone spends on a pet shop rat, the lives of so many more are doomed.Buying from pet shops perpetuates this, you aren't rescuing if you give your money to fund the suffering of more rats. This can often lead to rats that are terrified of people, and have numerous health problems, which takes its toll emotionally and financially. For this reason I have always adopted my rats from breeders, but I always struggled to find ones that we're just how I wanted. Coming from a scientific background, I developed an interest in the genetics of colour and markings and the idea grew from there really. I love rats, I love to be surrounded by them, see them grow up, and the most rewarding thing is when I see how happy they are in their new homes.
None of my rats will ever end up in rescue, I will always take my rats back if they need to be rehomed. I take in rescues frequently too, but not everyone has the time and experience to dedicate to bringing a rescue round to be the pet they wanted.
Without responsible breeders, there would be nobody selecting for health and temperament, and domesticated rats on the whole would suffer because of it.
Do you show your rats?
I do, both in pets and varieties, but I can't guarantee that my rats will be 'show quality'. As I have said to hundreds of people, markings and colour are so unimportant compared with health and temperament. I would rather have 100 'boring' or common coloured rats that have personalities like mine, than one with a vibrant and unusual colour that wouldn't come and watch TV with me and share my dinner.
How do I get rats from you?
Please see /the-homing-process.html
How do I contact you?
Please see /contact-me.html
Well, the truth is that that isn't always the case. Some breeders do not always behave in the best interest of their animals, which is why it is important for people to speak to any breeders they get animals from and get an understanding of their ethics. I have had some fantastic pets that were rescues, and I support and rescue where I can, but that doesn't mean that they are suitable for everyone. Pets from rescues have often come from foul conditions, where rats have been bred with no form of selection in mind, as have pets from pet shops, This lack of selection makes the chance to having healthy, well tempered animals much less. On that same vein rescuing animals is incredibly rewarding, and there are so many neglected animals out there, I would hate for them to go un-homed, but they would not be there if the only breeders were responsible ones. For young families especially, having rats from a breeder who has handled them from birth, gives them peace of mind.
I just got my baby rats home and they are scared...what do I do?
People often assume that because babies have been handled since birth, they can just transition to a new home straight away and this simply isn't true. On 'the Needs of Rats' I discussed the fact that rats take security in their own smell, and this is one of the main reasons they can be stressed by moving house. They have a new cage, in a new house, with new smells everywhere and humans that smell and sound different - nothing about their new life is 'theirs'. I always recommend leaving them for 24 hours in their cage, so that they can feel at home. Having a 'base' will make them much more confident when it comes to handling them. I also recommend that any hides are removed, so that they simply have to adjust to the sights and sounds of their new home without hiding. Rats are clever, and if they are nervous and you afford them the opportunity to avoid you then that is what they will do. After a couple of days they should have calmed down and be happy to come to you from their cage, then you can put hides back in if you want them.
On your form you mention extra dietary needs for babies...what do you mean?
By this I simply mean fulfilling their extra protein requirements while they are young. They don't need masses of extra food, but bits of egg (you can leave the shell on for entertainment value), meat and fish will certainly help them on their way to growing up to be big and strong. They can have cooked chicken bones unlike dogs, they grind rather than chew so splintering isn't an issue. I throw the carcass in the cage after I have made a roast dinner and they devour it.
Do you cull?
I do not have a problem with culling when for the right reason, but believe that it should always be done as humanely as possible, be it with a vet or with at home. Personally, I will never cull any kitten for not being show quality as my rats are always pets first, and the runty kittens will always get given the best possible chance of survival that I can give them, but inevitably one day a kitten will be born deformed or ill in some way, in which case euthanasia may well be the kindest option.
Incest...yes or no?
Well, the short answer is that inbreeding is not a 'bad' thing, but it is not something that should be done all the time either. The reason that inbreeding is believed to be bad, is that it increases the likelihood that any recessive genes have an effect on the animal. This is because related animals often carry the same recessive genes, but may never appear to have an effect because there is a dominant gene with them. By breeding two rats together that are closely related (for example, father and daughter) the likelihood is that some of the offspring will have a combination of the recessive gene from the mother, and one from the father, and with no dominant gene present the effect of the gene may finally become apparent. Now, to some, this is 'bad' because it means that now there is something potentially harmful brought to the surface genetically, but for the same reason it is perceived to be bad, it can also be considered a very helpful tool. Being able to bring out hidden recessives enables breeders to know what is going on with their animals genetically, and allows the discontinuation or deliberate out-crossing of the line to ensure that future problems do not arise. Personally, I consider knowing what is there genetically and having to work around it to be the responsible way to handle a breeding line, rather than constant out-crossing which can just lead to a multitude of hidden recessives being swept under the genetic carpet.
Why do you want to breed when there is already such a large rat population?
The growing popularity of rats as pets is leading to an increase in sales from pet shops. This means that more and more rats are being bred at rodent farms. These rats don't get proper handling from birth, are from parents whose personality and health is disregarded, and are raised in accommodation that is much too small for them. These rats are mistreated, abused and neglected, and for every £10 someone spends on a pet shop rat, the lives of so many more are doomed.Buying from pet shops perpetuates this, you aren't rescuing if you give your money to fund the suffering of more rats. This can often lead to rats that are terrified of people, and have numerous health problems, which takes its toll emotionally and financially. For this reason I have always adopted my rats from breeders, but I always struggled to find ones that we're just how I wanted. Coming from a scientific background, I developed an interest in the genetics of colour and markings and the idea grew from there really. I love rats, I love to be surrounded by them, see them grow up, and the most rewarding thing is when I see how happy they are in their new homes.
None of my rats will ever end up in rescue, I will always take my rats back if they need to be rehomed. I take in rescues frequently too, but not everyone has the time and experience to dedicate to bringing a rescue round to be the pet they wanted.
Without responsible breeders, there would be nobody selecting for health and temperament, and domesticated rats on the whole would suffer because of it.
Do you show your rats?
I do, both in pets and varieties, but I can't guarantee that my rats will be 'show quality'. As I have said to hundreds of people, markings and colour are so unimportant compared with health and temperament. I would rather have 100 'boring' or common coloured rats that have personalities like mine, than one with a vibrant and unusual colour that wouldn't come and watch TV with me and share my dinner.
How do I get rats from you?
Please see /the-homing-process.html
How do I contact you?
Please see /contact-me.html