Where to get rats? Rat adoptions and other options

Many people wonder where to get their first rats (intentionally plural, rats are social animals). Below, you can read about the available options.

1. Adoption

On social media platforms, you can find announcements from private individuals who, for various reasons, can no longer take care of their pets. However, it's important to verify the health status and level of socialization of the adopted rat. When looking for rats to adopt, it's worthwhile to contact pro-animal foundations, as many rats are waiting for new homes, sometimes for months. This way, we can greatly help animals in need. Animals in foundations are usually already vet-checked, giving us more certainty about their health or informing us about any illnesses they may be dealing with.

2. Legal breeders

It's important to choose breeders who are legally registered and have good reviews. Rats from such breeders have documented origins (pedigree), are well-cared-for, socialized, and provided with good conditions, which guarantees a good start in life. Known origins should also be a guarantee of health, but rats are generally a disease-prone species. Regardless, one must be prepared that sooner or later they will fall ill. A good breeder excludes from breeding lines that are predisposed to tumors, but there's never a 100% certainty that tumors will not appear.

3. Why not pet stores?

Buying rats from pet stores is definitely a bad idea. There are many reasons, the most important being:

• poor or average conditions in which the animals are kept;
• uncontrolled breeding by so-called "wholesalers" focused on profit rather than on animal health and welfare;
• skin and intestinal diseases caused by external and internal parasites;
• frequent cases of selling pregnant females;
• problems with determining the sex of young rats by staff, which can lead to unwanted pregnancies and associated complications, both for the new owner and the animals themselves.

Some may think that buying a sick rat from a store out of good heart, helps. However, paying for him generates demand, and in his place will come more sick and poorly treated rodents.

4. Never as a gift

It's crucial to never buy a rat or any other animal as a gift unless you are absolutely certain that the recipient can and wants to take care of the animal. Rats require proper care, time, and commitment. Instead of a wonderful surprise, they can become an unwanted burden, leaving the new owner unsure of what to do. Animals are not objects - they feel and have a right to a dignified life, so let's not contribute to their suffering and increasing homelessness.

In summary, if you're considering having a rat as a pet, it's best to opt for adoption from a trusted source or purchase from a good breeder. These actions are a sign of responsible pet ownership. They can also save the new owner a lot of stress and problems.