How much for that Rat?

HOW MUCH FOR A RAT?

Let me say a few words, the person who writes an email or message to simply ask the price. The person who calls and after hearing a price surprisedly states: “I can buy a cheaper rat elsewhere”. I just want it as a pet.

No rat is “just a pet”.

Behind every rat is a BREEDER. I’m using capital letters to differentiate a breeder from a pet factory or mill. A reputable breeder does not breed rats without knowing the lineage. Records of lineage that document pairings and allow one to research any possible health issues present in that lineage. When you tell a Breeder you don’t care about the lineage/history what you’re really telling them is you couldn’t care less about the health of the rat you just want the cheapest thing you can find! When you select to buy a rat from a reputable and quality breeder, this breeder is responsible for the health of every rat; both rats owned and every rat they’ve sold for its lifetime. This breeder will skip holidays, miss sleeping, and most of their personal house space has been turned into space for their rats. The truly passionate breeder who loves what they breed, puts their whole heart and soul into it. Not only in rats that are sold, but also in each customer who owns a piece of their heart and now is a member of their extended family. This does not take into account any rat who might get sick or need extra help to thrive. Breeders worry about their babies after they leave and will take one back without question.

A breeder will get their hands dirty because that’s what life is about...In the middle of birth and death is life. The wheel that keeps turning. A breeder will do tests, have surgeries done, ultrasounds, emergency c sections, research pedigrees and parasite treat.

Last but by no means least, a breeder CHOOSES the family lucky enough to have one of their babies. A true breeder chooses who they sell to because they are not making money off the sale. There is no compensation that can offset the investment a Breeder has made so they need to be confident its the right fit. Many times saying more no’s then yes...A good Breeder will have different criteria for those wanting to carry on their bloodline, why? Because breeding is not a responsibility to ever be taken lightly, it’s a lifestyle choice set aside for ONLY the few devoted people willing to sacrifice.

Because a rat is never “just a pet” it’s the Breeder’s legacy, a little boy’s best friend, a little girls protector, a persons therapy, a member of the family, someone’s whole world.