So , you've decided to get a pet rat? You've done your research and you know they make great pets. Where will you get them from? Most commonly people go to the local pet store, or try and find a breeder, but have you thought about rescuing your ratties from a rescue centre?
There are some rescue centers that specialize in rodents. They have abandoned ratties, whose owners no longer want them, ex-lab rats and even rescued feeder rats (those normally used to feed pet snakes). By getting your pet rats from a rescue center you will be helping them by giving a small donation. You will also be freeing up space, so they can take in more rescues. You will also be giving your new pets a second chance.
The animals that get a second chance after being tested on in a lab are few and far between. If you get a chance to re home one of these marvelous creatures, please do. You would be surprised how naturally confident a lot of rescue animals are, despite their past treatment.
By avoiding breeders and pet shops you are not supporting the impulse buying they encourage. This impulse buying is why the ratties end up in the rescue centers in the first place. You are also not supporting the notion of animals as commodities that can be bought and sold and discarded at will.
Some people prefer to buy feeder rats, even if it is from a pet store. It is a hard decision to make. On the one hand you want to save the rats from their inevitable fate, as live snake food, but on the other hand you don't want to support the pet shop. Follow your heart and do what you think is right. I know how hard it is to walk past an animal like this, when all you want to do is help it.
If there is not a rodent rescue near you, check out your local RSPCA, or even the local paper's free to a good home section.
As a final note, make sure you get two rats. They are very sociable animals and although they often love people, they love to have another ratty to snuggle with, tumble with and chatter too.
http://www.RatsRatsRats.com copyright Catherine Smith 2007Check out my website for everything you've ever wanted to know about pet rats. From training to toys, housing to health. You can even go shopping for your ratty friend.
Source: www.isnare.com
