To buy or not to buy

Ah...the age long debate about "rescuing" feeders and petstore rats.

I support this. I know many, many people disagree. They feel purchasing these rats will open up new spots for more poorly bred rats to fill. By not buying from retailers...you are not rewarding them for their mistreatment of animals.

I understand this.

But I cannot walk into a shop, see those terrified faces, and not care. They need love, too. I wish breeding mills could be educated...and breed for the right reasons. But they don't. That does not mean the rats should suffer. And I really dislike people who look down on your for owning petstore rats or feeder rats. There is no difference between snake food and a rat with a pedigree that reaches a mile. I will continue to save feeders as long as people continue to abuse them.

If snake owners would buy pre-kill...or breed and kill their own (humanely) ...there would be no need for starved, urine covered sick rats in the reptile shops.

Additions

I am considering adding a few more rats to the rattery. I have found some wonderful people with great, healthy rats. If this is the case, after quarantine, careful examination, observation of behavior/health/ect. I will breed a rex little in the near-ish future. Huzzah! I was very disappointed in how terrible Beatrice, my rex, turned out and that I would be unable to breed her with her aggression and terrible personality. I was so looking forward to a rex litter this year. This is why waiting always has its perks! She was not this aggressive as a young rat...but quickly grew into it as she aged. Always wait until at LEAST 4 months of age.

Also, I have reached my money goal and will be ordering the fist Critter Nation for the girls. Then I will start saving up for the boys. So excited!

Rats are never content

I have a few rats in the "hospital" (i.e....the living room).

Lenore busted her foot. The swelling is gone, now it is just sore. But she keep trying to bust the lid of her "Get well tank" off. She will stretch up on her messed up foot, grab onto the wire, and hang there. I have taken out her house so she'll stop head butting the lid. Crazy girl. I am moving her to the 40 gallon unused fish tank to prevent anymore brain-damage. It is very tall, and unless she develops super powers, she should not be able to jump and reach the lid.

Zocquiel got in a fight and had some battle wounds. So he's in a bird cage while I tend to his bites. He has figured out that if he uses his mouth to pull up on the door, he can lift it with his paws until he is able to wiggle his head under. Smart guy. Now I'm breaking out the locking clips.

Naberous (who fought with Zoc), is in another cage for observation. It is one of those one level rabbit cages. But he has found he can push his head against the door and pop it out. ...More clips.

I have a gang of Houdinis here.

Rats just hate cages. Houses are more their style....complete with full course meals served thrice a day (don't forget ice cream!)

Adoption Day2

                               
  

 

My brother giving the girls a goodby.

He's been very handy in their socialization! 

                                                            River and Annabel Lee

Adoption Day 2 went very well! I had a great time meeting everyone.
Someone drove over an hour for their girls. That is a dedicated owner!
 I know my babies will have wonderful lives.

Saoirse The Strange

Saoirse. She is very strange. And a pest. She chased Sally (the cat) off of the couch, down the hall, into the kitchen, off of the kitchen chair, and under the coffee table.

 

Here she decided to become mole-like and tunnel through the bedding. She did not care that half of it was stuck to her fur.

She is almost 2...but more active and young looking than her daughters (Who are both only 1 year old)

Adoption Day1

The first adoption went very well yesterday. It was great meeting everyone. Have fun in your new home, Raven and Ligeia!  

 See you both in a month for rattie vacation.

Goodbye Dinner

I made the babies a fancy meal for their last night. 

We have a mixture of yogurt, cranberries, blueberries, cheerios, and oats.

Carrots and broccoli, spiced, with olive oil drizzled over top

Buttered almond crackers with raisins