➽──❥ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
While we try to be as straight forward as possible, it's expected that you might have some questions. Check these FAQ's below just in case something answers your question here. If not, feel free to contact us!
☆★ What primary services do you offer?
We are rat breeders, of course! We offer a selection of live AND frozen feeder rats for purchase. We also have rat pups for adoption (most times), as well as adult rats (most times), surrenders when applicable, and we adopt out our retired breeders, male and female.
☆★ Do you specialize in breeding any specific rats?
Sadly, no. We are aware there are breeders out there who specialize / breed for certain coats, colors, traits, and lineage. Though we aren't so different, we focus more on breeding rats with tolerable / pet quality temperaments. i.e.; the ability to be handled, picked up, held, good and tolerable with children, and so on. Sometimes we breed for certain coats and colors, but it is not our primary focus or concern. This is subject to change.
☆★ Do you take surrendered pet rats?
Yes, we do often take in surrendered rats. However, you are required to check in personally with the rattery to make sure that there is a cage and space available. We do not do pick ups unless discussed prior with arrangements made. Be warned that your surrendered rat will have a decent chance of being rehomed / adopted out once they pass quarantine and temperament testing. While we keep track of who adopts our rats, we cannot guarantee YOU any specific updates on your surrendered pet once they leave our rattery.
☆★ Am I really required to adopt (two) rats when adopting or am I allowed to adopt just one?
We require that you adopt at least (two) rats, whether it be litter mates or cage mates or a pair of rats that have been proven to get along prior. The only exception that allows you to purchase (one) is if you have proof of owning any current rat(s.) Rats are extremely social creatures and will get lonely, aggressive, or depressed without a friend or two. Sometimes even 3 or 4 is recommended, but two is our suggested minimum. When selecting a pair or more, it's best to stick to same-sex groups for obvious reasons. Fighting won't normally occur if rats are well socialized.
☆★ What if I can no longer take care of my adopted rat(s)?
You are required as per the adoption application that you signed to CONTACT JESSICA'S RATTERY before attempting to rehome any rat(s) yourself. If we are at capacity and are unable to accept any surrendered rats, you will be relinquished of said rule and will be given permission to rehome the animal yourself. All we ask is that you do it safely and you never ever give away an animal for complete free. We do not want our pet line rats to end up in a feeder bin of another breeder or worse, food for someone's snake off of Facebook or Craigslist. We understand snakes need to eat, but we sell live and frozen feeders for that reason. Our pet lines are not bred for food.
☆★ What do you feed your rats and what do you recommend?
At the moment, we feed Mazuri complete rat food. It's affordable, comes in large blocks for them to hold and eat, provides complete nutrition, and we find it goes a long way when feeding multiple rats. We also supplement with grains, seeds, and nuts on the side, as well as random fresh food. Some of their favorites can sometimes include raw carrots, cooked scrambled eggs, dry cereal, cooked pasta, chicken wing / pork rib bones for chewing and enrichment, other veggies that are fun to eat, bananas, and sometimes some water added to wet kitten food to make an easy to lap up treat full of protein for them. Be sure to follow internet guidelines for rat nutrition and feed snacks / everything else in moderation. Though rats can eat almost anything we can, they do have small bodies and can gain weight very easily.
☆★ I want a certain kind of rat in a specific color? Do you have it?
The short answer would be "we have what we have." Though we do pay special attention to coat colors as we realize being able to offer a variety is desired and nice in general, genetics and DNA do not always work out in our favor. We are constantly trying to figure out how to create certain colors, mix certain genes, and obtain / keep / or lose certain traits. Sometimes color / coat cannot be predicted completely or guaranteed. However, take a look because you never know who's available!
☆★ Do you have any advice on bedding, toys, enrichment, water bottles, and etc to make my rat happy?
While we listed what food we recommend above, we never really went over anything else. When it comes to bedding, we find that hemp bedding is 100% the safest but depending on your rats and number of rats, it doesn't do well with odor control. Right now, we are using SO PHRESH recycled paper bedding, the colorful kind... and it seems to help with odor the most. As for toys, we can recommend basic cat balls / toys as long as they are not made with parts that can be digested and pose as a blockage. Also remember your chew sticks for regular teeth trimming as your rat's teeth continue to grow! With water bottles, it depends if you have a chewer or not. Some rats can't help but to chew water bottles, no matter what you provide them. We have been using bottle holders / guards lately and have resorted to GLASS water bottles with our chewers. It's worth the extra few bucks. KAYTEE brands have been known to drip but the glass ones are safe. Enrichment ideas consist of a hide or two that all rats can easily share, something for climbing or burrowing like a rope, hammock, bridge, or tunnel. Sometimes even a small cardboard box can serve as entertainment. Just remember rats will chew almost anything.
☆★ Do you sell your rats for breeding? What do I do if I want to breed rats as well?
The very short answer is: No. Not at this time.
While we understand that you might want to have little rat babies of your own and we really have no right to tell you not to, but when it comes to our rats specifically, we do not really want them being bred. Breeding, while natural, still puts a lot of stress on their bodies - we're talking the females here. We retire our breeding does after 3 litters, as it is, though they are capable of having many many many more. Senseless breeding is not needed. Obviously, we can't stop you from adopting a male or female from us and breeding them to a male or female you may already own. That's not our business. But you may not at this time purchase a male and female from us with the intention to breed them. We MAY consider selling specific 'breeding pairs' at some point in the future, but right now, please do not purchase our rats for the purpose of creating your own litters so that you can give away or sell babies of your own. We're a small business getting off of our feet and even this can cause a small loss of business / new clients / potential adopters. If you want to breed rats of your own, you can find another breeder who is willing or go to a pet store and purchase these rats yourself. Please respect our policies and wishes.
☆★ Why is my 'reserved' rat now not available?
Please keep in mind that while you may have 'reserved' or applied for a specific rat and your heart might be set, however, especially with baby / young rats as they mature, temperaments and personalities are subject to change and they often do. While we do handle babies from birth and try to socialize daily, this does not guarantee ANY personality trait completely. Sometimes they will change and it's not the change we want.... and under NO circumstances will we EVER sell / adopt out an aggressive rat. It is not worth the risk. You be told as soon as possible and you'll be asked to pick another rat. We run basic temperament tests (ie, basic handling, medical / sick handling, picking up, holding, dangling, cage interactions, exposure and stimuli, and more). Temperament tests are done several times and do not stop until adoption happens. Things can change quickly and at ANY given time. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD BACK A RAT AND CHOOSE NOT TO SELL IT.