Where is the best place to get a good PET rat?

Question

I live in Colorado, Ive tried breeders but for whatever reason they all flake out on me, they agree to adopting the rat to me and the price but once its time for the bussiness part they disapear and dont answer my emails. So its down to pet stores and shelters what would you recomend?

Answer 1

i got my 2 male rats from the pet store in the young rat tank and i raised them so they dont bite or anything    hope this helps   (:

Answer 2

A good Sanitary landfill

Answer 3

Rescues are always my first stop.  Often they'll have a medical history on the rat, will have an idea of it's personality, and you can find rats of all ages and colors.  

Good breeders shouldn't be flaking out on you, so I'd look around at who the breeders are.  (Like, if they're pedigree or not.)  

I have gotten great pet rats out of rats bred/sold as feeders.  Generally, they aren't bred for health, so that's not so great.  They can incur more vet bills with URI's and myco flareups, and you are supporting the feeder business.  You're saving a life, and arguably, one person can't really impact a business enough to sway it much, so it's up to you.

I wouldn't even consider a pet store rat.  They're often way overpriced, especially considering the lack of socialization and how they're mass-bred and no better then feeder rats in that way.

Answer 4

I think both of my boyfriend's pet rats are from PetSmart.  I don't know if you have those in Colorado.  But both of the rats are healthy, friendly and normal...so I don't think that's a bad place to get them.

Answer 5

Are you kidding? Pet stores or shelters, how can there even be a comparison.

ALL pet stores get their rats from crappy breeders because no good, self-respecting breeder who is NOT only interested in money would sell their babies to some random people at a store. ALL pet store animals also have to live with extreme noise, people, other animals, so are very stressed. Stressed animals develop illnesses and bad habits like fear or biting. Not many pet stores will take proper care of their animals either. So no one will be handling them, feeding them right food, keeping them on safe bedding, or even separating the sexes! The worst part is by buying their animals, you are giving them a profit, and reason to buy more animals to take the sold ones' places. Please avoid pet stores all you can.

Shelters unfortunately have similar conditions, but only in the sense of it being loud and filled with other animals. But that is life, shelter people try very hard to make all animals comfy, it's the best they can do. I do guarantee that shelter staff will actually know about proper care, and should be feeding the rats right food, having right bedding, separating sexes, and usually handling them daily. Shelters are wonderful places, and saving a couple of rats from euthanasia is rewarding.

One thing however, please do not get a single rat!! Rats do not do well alone. They are social, and must, must have at least one other same sexed companion.

Answer 6

dont get your rat at a pet store that has TONS of rats, because they could be from like, pet mills where all they do is breed and normally the faulty ones go in big groups to pet stores. id suggest going to a small pet store, not like, petco or petsmart.

Answer 7

EDIT: Despite what MANY ppl r saying, feeder rats are NOT all sick rats & they DO make good pets! They're sold when they're young so they can be trained and socialized correctly to make good family pets. As said before, just get a close look before choosing/buying to make sure you don't get a sick one.

The humane society usually has good pet rats that are already used to being pets, but they're a little on the pricy side. i've always gotten my rats from pet stores, tho there's a good chance you can get a pregnant/sickly one upon purchasing. But i don't look up breeders cuz i'd much rather save a rat from becoming snake food anyway =] Petco/Petsmart is cheap & usually has decent rats. But before picking out which one make sure there's no red around the rat's eyes/nose, and try to pick out an active rat. That way you know it's not lethargic. Good luck!

Answer 8

Shelter. Shelter animals are in desperate need of a good home. The animals they have are normally handled every single day and already used to humans. They're checked by a vet for any illnesses, and the rat may already be spayed/neutered. The adoption fee you give goes right back into helping other animals.

Pet store animals are usually not handled often. They could be sick. Females could be pregnant. The rats come from disgusting mills that produce animals in mass quantities. All they care about is money. It's not the best thing to be supporting. I think the only good thing about getting an animal from a pet store is that they readily have animals available.

Please consider adoption. It's a much better choice. Also, please keep in mind that rats are very social and need to be kept in pairs or more. Is the reason the breeders no longer want to give you a rat because you only want one? Good breeders will not let people get one rat unless they have another lone rat to pair up with it at home. They always have them go in pairs or more.

Answer 9

Try shelters & small animal rescues first.  Although we're fortunate to have a wonderful breeder in our area, I always recommend rescues 1st.  If there is no small animal rescue in your area, visit the smaller pet stores before going to major chains like Petco.  Small stores *often* have healthier & better socialized animals.  If a chain pet store is your only option, check it out-- we've had mixed experiences, but have also adopted some wonderful companions from chain stores.

Wherever you go, ask to handle the animals before adopting anyone.  Also, *please* get 2 rats of the same s*x-- they'll be happier, healthier & more entertaining.

Answer 10

Not ,i repeat, Not from a 'local' pet place. Buy one from a chain! Like petco or Pet smart! Make sure the eyes are bright, they run around,and eat. Also that they are not too skinny of too fat either!

Answer 11

Breeders are your best bet, but if that isn't an option, I'd recommend the Boulder Humane Society.  I'm not sure what part of Colorado you live in, but Boulder has the best adoption rate in the area and frequently gets rats.  You can check their website at http://hsbv.boulderhumane.org/hsbv/go.as...

Petfinder.com is another possible choice, but beware of people who are trying to dump their poorly socialized and unhealthy rats.

If an animal shelter is not a possibility, my third recommendation would be a small, local exotic pet shop.  Most of the time they purchase their rats from a local breeder anyway.  While I agree it's not ideal, the rats are usually treated better, been handled since they were young, and are healthier than what you would find at Petsmart or Petco.  Ask questions of the pet shop owners about where they get their rats from.

Rats from large chains are frequently feeder rats that are thrown in pet cages to be sold as pets.  They aren't usually that healthy later in life, and not very socialized.  Plus the people who breed them are usually irresponsible and are similar to "puppy mills" you hear about.

Just as a reminder, make sure you do your research before you adopt an animal.  For example, rats should only be adopted in pairs or more.  Rats are highly sociable creatures and need a friend to be psychologically healthy.  Rats can live between 2-4 years on average, so be sure that it's a commitment you're willing to make.

Some good sites to check out are:

http://www.ratguide.com

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/

http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/

Hope that helps!