Possibly getting a Rat.

[Kfamr]

Yeah, I saw that breeder's website, but I wasn't too sure where she's located.... I'll try E-mailing her.

[tikeyas_mom]

the only reason he is a grump is because he has been stuck in a small cage his whole life with hardly any human interaction. you should really consider rescuing him IMHO.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
the only reason he is a grump is because he has been stuck in a small cage his whole life with hardly any human interaction. you should really consider rescuing him IMHO.

Um, no.

His cage is 3 levels high. It's huge.

Andrew, the kid who had to get rid of him, took GREAT care of him.

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
the only reason he is a grump is because he has been stuck in a small cage his whole life with hardly any human interaction. you should really consider rescuing him IMHO.

I would never recommend a rescue with agression problems to a first time rat mom. You want everyones first experience to be a nice as possible. Only very EXPERIENCED rat owners should take in agressive rats. These rats need a LOT of patience, time and more! They are not for everyone, especially first time rat owners.

[tikeyas_mom]

Originally posted by Kfamr
took GREAT care of him.

umm, is that pine bedding he is housed in???

[Desert Arabian]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
umm, is that pine bedding he is housed in???

Probably, but that doesn't mean the boy didn't take great care of him. He still probably interacted with him, got him proper medical care if it was needed, and fed him a good diet. Kay knows better than not to house a rat on pine or cedar, don't 'cha Kay...

Kay, he's probably grumpy from lack of human interaction and/or the interaction he does get is not proper- students handling him harshly, etc. There is a possability that once you got him home in a nice calm setting, let him get used to your voice and smell, he just might settle down. But you made the right decision in not taking him- for your first rat you want a good rat. If it was your second, third, or fourth rat you could (if you wanted to) take him and try to work with him. Getting your first rat from a breeder is an excellent decision. My first rats came from the pet store, I didn't just jump at the first one I saw though. At the time there were none in the shelter and there are no breeders around here- so I had no choice.

[Desert Arabian]

Here are some more rat breeders. Remember to look around at a bunch of different breeders, don't just jump at the first one you see. It's kinda like buying a car, you shop around for a bit then make your decision...

Knight's Tail Rattery, Jacksonville Florida
http://www.knightstailrattery.com/

ARG Rattery, Orange Park Florida
http://www.argrattery.com/
(I like the blinking ratties, lol)

Rock-N-Roll Rattery, Pembroke Pines Florida
http://dumborats.homestead.com/

*Edited to fix link*

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
umm, is that pine bedding he is housed in???

UMMM> I don't know.


The teacher put that stuff in there.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover

Kay, he's probably grumpy from lack of human interaction and/or the interaction he does get is not proper- students handling him harshly, etc.

No, he barely was even in the classroom. The teacher only allows certain people to handle the classroom animals. Andrew took good care of him, and handled him often.


And yes, when/if I get rats they will not be house in pine or cedar.


I do not want this rat, just like a first time dog owner wouldn't, and shouldn't adopt a "problem dog."

[Logan]

I think you are being very wise, Kay. I just hope that this rat will find the right home, and soon!!!! (if there were a emoticon for "worried", I'd use it).

[Desert Arabian]

Originally posted by Kfamr
No, he barely was even in the classroom. The teacher only allows certain people to handle the classroom animals. Andrew took good care of him, and handled him often.

Oh, well, that's nice! I wish my teachers were like your teacher. They don't care too deeply about the animals and could care less about who handles them/how they get treated- unless it's something really bad then they care.

That's really cool that Andrew took such nice care of the rattie, most of the guys at my school are the ones being mean to animals. Give Andrew a pat on the back for me! lol!

*Patiently waits for the day when Kay makes "I got a rat" thread*

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover

*Patiently waits for the day when Kay makes "I got a rat" thread*

*Me Too*


Although I'd rather it be "Another puppy" thread.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by Kfamr
Although I'd rather it be "Another puppy" thread.

Ditto for that one.
Good luck with looking for a rattie, Kay! And the puppy, too!

[slleipnir]

Goodluck with the rattie I use to have a lot of rodents when I was younger. They're a lot of fun

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
Here are some more rat breeders. Remember to look around at a bunch of different breeders, don't just jump at the first one you see. It's kinda like buying a car, you shop around for a bit then make your decision...

Knight's Tail Rattery, Jacksonville Florida
http://www.knightstailrattery.com/

ARG Rattery, Orange Park Florida
http://www.argrattery.com/
(I like the blinking ratties, lol)

Rock-N-Roll Rattery, Pembroke Pines Florida
http://dumborats.homestead.com/

*Edited to fix link*

While it's nice to look around in a Rattery's case I don't go that route and don't suggest others do either. I get recommendations from other breeders, and I will tell you now that Bella has the best rats in Florida, and has years of experience behind her belt. She is also the run who runs the Rat Guide. There are certain things you should look for when selecting a Rattery. How long have they been breeding? Where did they get their stock? Do they keep pedigrees? Are the majority of their rats from breeders? What are their ethics? Do they cull, breed petshop rats etc. It's not as simple as you think it is. Rat people are VERY political, and if you chose the wrong rattery you are basically banned from rathood forever LOL! If you notice, those ratteries all have rats from Bella. I can point out things about each Rattery I do not like. Feeding, lack of info on animals in the rattery etc. I personally would not buy rats from someone just because they have cute pics on their site. The one breeders lack pedigree info, info on each rat and where they came from etc.


BTW, those blinking rats are from Bella.