If this is your first time adopting from a pet rat breeder you'll find that it's quite a bit different than a pet store. You may also find that each breeder has their own individual way of doing things. On this page I'll try my best to explain my adoption process, that I've fine tuned over the years, and hopefully it will help answer some questions you might have.
First I would like to let you know that I'm not a pet store. I've had people email me to find out what hours I'm open and can they come pick out some rats. I suppose they assume that I have cages filled with rats just waiting for someone to come buy them. But actually, it's not like that at all.
The rats that reside here in my home are my pets. I breed some of my best rats but only one, and occasionally two, litters at a time. These babies are then reserved by Approved Adopters when they're about 3 weeks old and this is all done online. The only time I have people in my home is when it's time for the babies to be picked up to meet and join their new people.
I understand that some people would like to see the rats in person to choose their babies. But I had to put this policy place from the start for my own privacy, and unfortunately for my own protection. Besides my property is not zoned to be an open to the public business. Breeding rats is considered a hobby since there is no such thing in the State of Iowa as a licensed rat breeder.
I hope you can understand why this policy is in place and I assure you, I do consider myself a responsible breeder. I would never place babies, or adult rats, in a home if they have poor or questionable temperaments. If a rat should have special needs (which is very rare here) I would be up front with this information from the very start and make sure the adopter is fully aware of what these needs are.
First I would like to let you know that I'm not a pet store. I've had people email me to find out what hours I'm open and can they come pick out some rats. I suppose they assume that I have cages filled with rats just waiting for someone to come buy them. But actually, it's not like that at all.
The rats that reside here in my home are my pets. I breed some of my best rats but only one, and occasionally two, litters at a time. These babies are then reserved by Approved Adopters when they're about 3 weeks old and this is all done online. The only time I have people in my home is when it's time for the babies to be picked up to meet and join their new people.
I understand that some people would like to see the rats in person to choose their babies. But I had to put this policy place from the start for my own privacy, and unfortunately for my own protection. Besides my property is not zoned to be an open to the public business. Breeding rats is considered a hobby since there is no such thing in the State of Iowa as a licensed rat breeder.
I hope you can understand why this policy is in place and I assure you, I do consider myself a responsible breeder. I would never place babies, or adult rats, in a home if they have poor or questionable temperaments. If a rat should have special needs (which is very rare here) I would be up front with this information from the very start and make sure the adopter is fully aware of what these needs are.
RRP ADOPTION PROCESS
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Here at RRP (Romeo's Rat Pack) I believe I have a responsibility to place my rats in the best homes possible.
How do I do this? In order to find these homes I use an Adoption Application. Please don't feel intimidated by the many questions. It's not a test. Instead it's a tool that gives me an idea of who will be responsible for the rats and the potential adopters knowledge in rat care. It also lets me know what rat types the adopter is looking for since rats come in numerous colors, markings and fur types. I also use this information to help educate potential rat owners on what rats need to thrive; such as recommended foods, what is a proper cage for rats, most popular safe bedding and more. So let's get started. The following information is to give you an idea as to what to expect when adopting from RRP and why. |
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BEFORE ASKING FOR AN ADOPTION APPLICATION
PLEASE take the time to read the following pages before asking for an Adoption Application. The information on those pages will help answer questions you may have as well as determining if you're able to adopt from me, since I don't ship rats or transport them to their new homes.
PLEASE take the time to read the following pages before asking for an Adoption Application. The information on those pages will help answer questions you may have as well as determining if you're able to adopt from me, since I don't ship rats or transport them to their new homes.
HOW TO GET AN ADOPTION APPLICATION
After reading the pages suggested above and if you're definitely interested in adopting from RRP, you can email me at romeosratpack@gmail.com to ask for an Adoption Application.
After reading the pages suggested above and if you're definitely interested in adopting from RRP, you can email me at romeosratpack@gmail.com to ask for an Adoption Application.
I'm old school. I don't have a cell phone and I'm not always at my computer to respond to your emails or facebook messages right away. I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible. Please be patient as life does get busy sometimes.
FILLING OUT THE ADOPTION APPLICATION
Once you receive the application I ask that all questions are answered individually.
Once you receive the application I ask that all questions are answered individually.
- I won't accept multiple answers written in a paragraph form because most often some information is left out or the information given isn't consistent with the actual questions and I'm left to try and make sense of it all.
- If a question doesn't apply to you type in N/A
- If you're needing some help in choosing the right food, cage, bedding or cage accessories you can let me know in the space provided with these questions.
WHEN I RESPOND TO YOUR APPLICATION
After going over your application I may contact you in order to clarify some of your answers or offer suggestions before making any final decisions. Once I have all the information I need I'll respond via email to let you know if your application has been approved. I generally respond in one of three ways.
APPLICATION APPROVED
APPLICATION APPROVED - PENDING
APPLICATION DENIED
Occasionally I do deny applications. The most common reasons for this are:
I do reserve the right to deny an applicant from adopting rats from me at any time if I feel it's warranted.
After going over your application I may contact you in order to clarify some of your answers or offer suggestions before making any final decisions. Once I have all the information I need I'll respond via email to let you know if your application has been approved. I generally respond in one of three ways.
APPLICATION APPROVED
- This means that your application is approved and that you are now considered an Approved Adopter and can reserve rats listed as Available for Adoption.
- You may be limited as to which rats you can adopt. For example: If you already have male rat, then you may only be approved to adopt male rats.
APPLICATION APPROVED - PENDING
- If I have pending following Application Approved this means that you are an Approved Adopter and you can reserve rats listed as Available for Adoption, but a condition must be met before you can actually pick up the rats you reserved. For example: You may not have purchased the cage yet at the time of submitting the application. So you must have an approved cage suitable for rats before actually taking your rats home.
APPLICATION DENIED
Occasionally I do deny applications. The most common reasons for this are:
- When an applicant is found to be dishonest or withholds important information on the application (or at any time during the adoption process) and this information could eliminate them as a potential adopter. That person will be denied as soon as this information is brought to my attention. I have zero tolerance for being lied to and it could result in being permanently blacklisted from my rattery and possibly other ratteries in the area.
- When a person rents their place of residence and the landlord or property owner does not allow caged animals. In this situation the person can reapply if their living situation changes.
- applicant refusing to provide adequate housing or food for rats. Yes I had an applicant insist that two male rats would be just fine living in a 10 gallon tank and eating nothing but Cheerios. Even though I tried to educate her she still refused to change her mind. Her application was denied.
I do reserve the right to deny an applicant from adopting rats from me at any time if I feel it's warranted.
PLEASE READ BEFORE RESERVING RATS:
I ask that rats be picked up within two weeks of the time they are ready to go. For babies it would be between 6 to 8 weeks of age. For older rats it would be within two weeks from the time they are reserved. Check your calendar before reserving rats to ensure that you'll be able to pick them up within that time frame. if you can't I may ask you to wait for another litter.
My reasoning for this is that space is limited here and in constant rotation. I never put reserved babies in with my own rats. This means that I have numerous smaller cages housing only rats being adopted together. It's a lot of work and i don't like overcrowding the rat area.
Also, if I've already bred another female I will be needing those smaller cages and space for that next litter.
I ask that rats be picked up within two weeks of the time they are ready to go. For babies it would be between 6 to 8 weeks of age. For older rats it would be within two weeks from the time they are reserved. Check your calendar before reserving rats to ensure that you'll be able to pick them up within that time frame. if you can't I may ask you to wait for another litter.
My reasoning for this is that space is limited here and in constant rotation. I never put reserved babies in with my own rats. This means that I have numerous smaller cages housing only rats being adopted together. It's a lot of work and i don't like overcrowding the rat area.
Also, if I've already bred another female I will be needing those smaller cages and space for that next litter.
RESERVING RATS
It's an exciting time when a litter is born here at RRP and I let everyone know on my Facebook rattery page and on my website.
I don't start accepting Reserves on the babies until I've chosen my keepers first, which is when the babies are about 3 weeks old. I know it seems like a long wait though during those 3 weeks I continue to post pictures and updates so everyone can watch them as they grow.
Once I know which babies I'll be retaining here at RRP (for possible future breeding) I'll then let Approved Adopters know 24 hours in advance as to the exact time I'll be posting on my Facebook rattery page which babies are Available for Adoption.
Yes, I literally sit there watching the clock and hit the POST button the second it reaches the time I gave. If your on my Facebook page but don't see the post try refreshing the page and the post should appear.
When the photo album of Babies Available for Adoption is posted on my Facebook page Approved Adopters can scroll through the album and when they come to the picture of the rat they would like to reserve simply type "this one" in the comment section of that picture. I'll give it a thumbs up to let you know I saw it and that rat is then reserved to you. Be sure not to try to reserve a rat that someone else has already reserved. Facebook time stamps the comments as they're submitted and I have to reserve the rat to the first person.
Typically the Approved Adopters are on the ready and babies are reserved very quickly. Sometimes within 10 minutes.
It's an exciting time when a litter is born here at RRP and I let everyone know on my Facebook rattery page and on my website.
I don't start accepting Reserves on the babies until I've chosen my keepers first, which is when the babies are about 3 weeks old. I know it seems like a long wait though during those 3 weeks I continue to post pictures and updates so everyone can watch them as they grow.
Once I know which babies I'll be retaining here at RRP (for possible future breeding) I'll then let Approved Adopters know 24 hours in advance as to the exact time I'll be posting on my Facebook rattery page which babies are Available for Adoption.
Yes, I literally sit there watching the clock and hit the POST button the second it reaches the time I gave. If your on my Facebook page but don't see the post try refreshing the page and the post should appear.
When the photo album of Babies Available for Adoption is posted on my Facebook page Approved Adopters can scroll through the album and when they come to the picture of the rat they would like to reserve simply type "this one" in the comment section of that picture. I'll give it a thumbs up to let you know I saw it and that rat is then reserved to you. Be sure not to try to reserve a rat that someone else has already reserved. Facebook time stamps the comments as they're submitted and I have to reserve the rat to the first person.
Typically the Approved Adopters are on the ready and babies are reserved very quickly. Sometimes within 10 minutes.
If you don't have Facebook but you know someone who does, they can reserve the rats for you by putting your name in the comment section of the picture. If you don't have Facebook and you don't have someone that can reserve them for you, please let me know ahead of time.
MORE WAITING
Now that babies are reserved they are still far to young to actually leave. Yes, unfortunately this means more waiting.
I let my babies go when they are between 6 and 8 weeks old. This gives you 3 to 5 weeks to prepare for your little ones, and for those that live a distance away, to make time in your schedule for traveling to Des Moines when it's time to pick them up.
I'll still continue to post updates and pictures during this time. Keeping you in the loop on how your babies are doing.
Now that babies are reserved they are still far to young to actually leave. Yes, unfortunately this means more waiting.
I let my babies go when they are between 6 and 8 weeks old. This gives you 3 to 5 weeks to prepare for your little ones, and for those that live a distance away, to make time in your schedule for traveling to Des Moines when it's time to pick them up.
I'll still continue to post updates and pictures during this time. Keeping you in the loop on how your babies are doing.
SCHEDULING A PICK UP TIME
While waiting for babies to reach 6 weeks old we can go ahead and schedule a pick up time.
I ask that when scheduling your pick up day that you allow yourself some extra time (at least 30 minutes) so your rats have a chance to get to know you before being put in the carrier.
When choosing your pick up date please be mindful of my availability. I work every weekend (getting home around 6:00PM) though I am home every Monday through Friday.
While waiting for babies to reach 6 weeks old we can go ahead and schedule a pick up time.
I ask that when scheduling your pick up day that you allow yourself some extra time (at least 30 minutes) so your rats have a chance to get to know you before being put in the carrier.
When choosing your pick up date please be mindful of my availability. I work every weekend (getting home around 6:00PM) though I am home every Monday through Friday.
PREPARING FOR PICK UP
As the day gets near for your rats to come home you should have everything they'll need ready for them.
As the day gets near for your rats to come home you should have everything they'll need ready for them.
- Cage set up and in a comfortable place in your home. (not in direct sunlight and not having furnace heat, air conditioners or fans blowing directly on them)
- fresh bedding in the cage that's safe for rats
- A good quality rat food
- Food dish and water bottles (these can be filled the day your rats are picked up)
- A few accessories would be nice, but you can easily add more later.
- If you already have rats in the cage your new rats will be going in, I'd suggest having a second temporary cage. Just in case your other rats don't immediately accept the new rats into their territory. It's also good to have the second cage to quarantine sick rats or to put your rats in when their bigger cage is being deep cleaned.
- It's also good to call around and find a veterinary office that treats rats, instead of waiting until you have an emergency.
- Be sure to have a small animal carrier for safely transporting your rats home. It's best to get a carrier with no openings bigger then a half an inch, has good ventilation and they can't chew through it if you have a long journey home.
ON PICK UP DAY
Don't forget to bring your small animal carrier. I no longer have extra carriers as they've been loaned out to people that forgot to bring one and were never returned. :(
When you arrive I'll have you put your rats on your shoulder. I do this so that they can get to know you. I've had great results by doing this. When babies arrive to their new home everything around them is unfamiliar, except for you. The goal is that they will come to you for comfort and reassurance since they've already gotten to know you, and have begun forming a bond.
While you're rats are checking you out we can discuss any questions you might have. I'll also have you read over my adoption contract, and if you agree to my terms of adoption and if you're pleased with your rats, I'll then have you sign the contract and the adoption fee can be placed into the envelope provided.
Once your rats are comfortable with you, they can then be placed in the carrier and begin the next chapter in their life.
Don't forget to bring your small animal carrier. I no longer have extra carriers as they've been loaned out to people that forgot to bring one and were never returned. :(
When you arrive I'll have you put your rats on your shoulder. I do this so that they can get to know you. I've had great results by doing this. When babies arrive to their new home everything around them is unfamiliar, except for you. The goal is that they will come to you for comfort and reassurance since they've already gotten to know you, and have begun forming a bond.
While you're rats are checking you out we can discuss any questions you might have. I'll also have you read over my adoption contract, and if you agree to my terms of adoption and if you're pleased with your rats, I'll then have you sign the contract and the adoption fee can be placed into the envelope provided.
Once your rats are comfortable with you, they can then be placed in the carrier and begin the next chapter in their life.
DURING THIS TIME OF COVID-19
ADOPTIONS ARE BEING DONE OUTSIDE IN A CLOSED IN TENT INSTEAD OF INSIDE MY HOME.
ALL PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF YOU AND THE RATS.
I'LL BE OUTSIDE OF THE TENT DURING THIS TIME AND WEARING A MASK.
BUT WE CAN STILL EASILY COMMUNICATE THROUGH THE SCREENED OPENINGS OF THE TENT.
ADOPTIONS ARE BEING DONE OUTSIDE IN A CLOSED IN TENT INSTEAD OF INSIDE MY HOME.
ALL PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF YOU AND THE RATS.
I'LL BE OUTSIDE OF THE TENT DURING THIS TIME AND WEARING A MASK.
BUT WE CAN STILL EASILY COMMUNICATE THROUGH THE SCREENED OPENINGS OF THE TENT.
AFTER ADOPTING
When adopting from pet stores or even from some other breeders, once the sale is over, you part ways and never hear from them again.
Here are RRP I like to follow my rats throughout their lives. I'm always willing to hear from you, do my best to answer any questions or concerns you might have and I LOVE getting pictures from time to time. : )
I also have a Facebook group (Romeo's Rat Pack Rats) specifically for those that have adopted from me; where you can post pictures, tell stories about your rats, as well as ask questions and converse with other people that have adopted from me.
Friends and family are also welcome to join the group.
I used to be really good at checking in on how things are going with my adopters and their rats. Though after breeding for 5 years now, that's a lot of people and rats to keep track of, and it's not as easy as it used to be.
When adopting from pet stores or even from some other breeders, once the sale is over, you part ways and never hear from them again.
Here are RRP I like to follow my rats throughout their lives. I'm always willing to hear from you, do my best to answer any questions or concerns you might have and I LOVE getting pictures from time to time. : )
I also have a Facebook group (Romeo's Rat Pack Rats) specifically for those that have adopted from me; where you can post pictures, tell stories about your rats, as well as ask questions and converse with other people that have adopted from me.
Friends and family are also welcome to join the group.
I used to be really good at checking in on how things are going with my adopters and their rats. Though after breeding for 5 years now, that's a lot of people and rats to keep track of, and it's not as easy as it used to be.