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Q: Where are you located?
A: Joplin, MO
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Q: Do you have babies available? Can I pick some up?
A: We do not have babies available all the time. Any that are available will be posted on our Facebook page after they pass their temperament tests and are deemed pet quality by me. As for coming and picking up rats, Rattitos Rattery is a closed rattery. This means we do not let adopters into our home for the safety of the rats and their health. There are a lot of illnesses rats can get just through the air, especially if the person has rats and doesn't know they're ill.
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Q: I'm looking for a colored rat with ears and has to be months old! Do you have any?
A: Probably not. I specialize in certain varieties, but if something isn't posted on the Facebook page as available, it's not available.
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Q: Do you deliver or ship rats?
A: We do not deliver or ship rats. We can, however, meet up anywhere public in the Joplin or Webb City area.
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Q: Why do I have to sign a contract and answer so many questions just for some rats?
A: My rats are my pride and joy. I have put so much work into them and selectively bred for better traits. I want to make sure that the homes they go to are PERMANENT and SAFE, with owners who know what they're doing.
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Q: Why do I have to get two rats of the same sex? What if I only want one rat, or two different sexes?
A: Rats are extremely social animals and REQUIRE the company of their own species in order to be happy. We not not support keeping lone rats. We will also never allow anyone to adopt a pair of opposite sex rats, or an opposite sex companion for a current rat. If kept together (or even if they just play together), they will inevitably breed. The ONLY way we would ever allow two opposite sex companions to be housed together is if one is spayed/neutered, which would require proof. Even then, you would need to be a trusted adopter or someone we know personally so we know you aren't lying.
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Q: Why can't I breed your rats?
A: I don't want all the time and effort I've put into my rats to be ruined or for someone else to take credit for it. This is why I don't adopt out rats of opposite sexes. Breeding is not a fun game or something to teach your kids about how life is formed. It is a serious matter and a LOT can go wrong if you don't know what you're doing. I care deeply about each and every one of my rats and would not want anything bad to happen to them caused by irresponsible breeding.
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Q: Why do your rats cost so much? I could get a rat from the pet store for $4.
A: My rats honestly do not cost that much. Some breeders charge $100-200 for certain varieties, and rightfully so because of all the work they put into them. You can totally go to the pet store and get a $4 rat, no one is stopping you! But rats at stores are bred in mass amounts and aren't bred for temperament or health. My rats cost more than pet store rats because of the work of selective breeding and what it costs for me to take proper care of them. Breeding properly is hard work and is never easy.
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Q: What does "TITO" mean?
A: TITO is our rattery's prefix. It is placed before a rat's name to show where they were bred. In this case, TITO represents Ratittos Rattery.
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Q: Why do you use bin cages? Those are bad for rats and don't provide ventilation.
A: Actually, most rat breeders use some form of bin cage in their ratteries, and even some pet owners who find it easier. There is PLENTY of ventilation, because ventilation is vital for the rat's health. A square is cut out of the front or both sides of the bin, and then the lid. Then hardware cloth or chicken wire is placed securely over the squares. You are left with a wonderfully ventilated and spacious home for your rats!
And for the record, rats are actually fossorial creatures and prefer to burrow over climbing (not to say they don't enjoy it, burrowing is just usually preferred when given the chance). This means that height in a cage is not as important as the floor space.
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Q: Is it true that rats will turn aggressive if given meat?
A: Absolutely not! Meat is important for rats. We do not allow our adopters to exclude meat from their diets because rats aren't vegetarians. A rat will never "turn aggressive" from being given a certain food. If the rat is aggressive, it is purely a genetic issue because aggression is genetic.
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Q: Why can't my child handle the rats if they're under 8 years old?
A: I am not comfortable with the way most children handle animals. Rats are not toys and should not be intended for children anyway. Petting is probably fine, but the handling needs to be left to adults and older children. Any interaction the children have with the rats needs to be monitored, just like with any other animal.
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Q: Can I send you updates and still ask questions after I get my rats?
A: PLEASE do! We love hearing about how are babies are doing and how they're growing up. Questions are always welcome, as well!
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