Adoption

Once we figure out a time for you to pick up your rats, you'll need directions. As a basic reference, I am located off of 44th and Buchanan St. in Grand Rapids. You can use one of the links below to get driving directions from your place to mine. Email me for my exact address to do this. I will link you to a page with my address, phone number, and pick-up policies. It is very important that you read this page in full before you leave to come get your rats.

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This is a copy of the contract you will need to sign upon getting breeding rats from me. You MUST agree with and abide by all of these terms if you are getting a breeding rat from me. If you'd like to discuss something with me feel free, but otherwise this is very strict and must be followed. I have seen way too many careless breedings done in my time, and feel this contract is very important for the well-being of the rats, and also to further improve the rat fancy as a whole, which should always be the key reason to breed at all.

Silver Fuzz Rattery Breeding Contract

Description of Rats Applicable To: ______________________________________________________________

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[ ] Male Rat - Male rats must be bred no earlier than five months of age. Closer to a year of age is more ideal, as by then the rat's health and temperament (after puberty) are fully known. You may speak to me personally about exceptions, though. There is no specific retirement age for male rats, so long as the animal is happy and healthy. There is no limit to the number of times a male rat may be bred, provided his offspring are sound and healthy and no problems have come up with him or in the line.

[ ] Female Rat - Female rats must be bred no earlier than five months of age. They must be bred for the first time no later than 14 months of age, provided her health is absolutely stellar. No female should be bred at all at a later time than a year and a half of age. No female should be bred more than three times throughout her life, allowing significant time for rest between each litter. If a female has difficulty with her first litter (rough birthing, losing most or all of the babies, having just one stillborn baby, etc) she must NOT be bred again. Litter problems are often repeated and rebreeding may result in the death of the female.

APPLIES TO BOTH GENDERS

• I must be notified of health problems if they appear in the rat or the rat's offspring. These may include, but are not limited to, severe respiratory problems, tumors, aggression, bumblefoot, birth defects, birthing issues, or megacolon.
• The rat will not be bred to a rat from unknown lines without first discussing it with me personally.
• The rat will not be bred to a rat known to produce megacolon babies, or a rat highly likely to produce megacolon babies. If you are unsure, please talk to me.
• Neither the rat nor the rat's offspring will ever be dumped or used as food for another animal.
• Breeding rights to this rat may not be transferred to anyone else without talking to me personally.
• I will register or have you register the rat with the NARR. I encourage the rat's offspring and all future generations to also be registered with the NARR. Please update the NARR should any health or temperament issues arise.
• If I haven't worked with you as a breeder in the past, I require that you contact me about which rat you intend to breed my rats with to get my approval of the pair BEFORE you put the pair together. This is to ensure that my lines continue on a path I feel will improve them further.
• Before breeding this rat, please check the NARR to make sure no health or temperament updates have been made to the rat's line that may mean changing said breeding necessary. This includes parents, grand parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings.
• Should a Manx (Tailless) female ever come up from my lines, she will not be bred! Breeding Manx females is considered too risky and may result in their death.
• Always breed with the betterment of the species in mind. This includes health, temperament, type, and all other characteristics of the animal. Breed only to another rat of equal or better quality.
• If the rat is bred against any of the above terms and the breeding was not first cleared with me, I will take this as a forfeit of contract and both the rat and the litter will be returned at the adopter's expense.

BREEDER'S SIGNATURE: ________________________________________________

ADOPTERS SIGNATURE: ________________________________________________

DATE: _______________________________________________________________

This is a copy of the contract you will need to sign upon getting rats from me. You MUST agree with and abide by all of these terms.

Silver Fuzz Rattery Adoption Agreement Contract

[ ] Pet Only - The rat may not be bred under any circumstances. It will be registered with the NARR as nonbreeding.

[ ] Breeding Contract (see attached if checked)

Description of Rats Applicable To: ______________________________________________________________

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Adopting Person(s) Name: _________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

Telephone & Email: ______________________________________________________

The parties agree and covenant as follows:

· Adopting person(s) agree that the rat(s) adopted will receive all care and attention necessary to ensure its health and well-being. Adopting person(s) will provide adequate food, fresh water, shelter, exercise, veterinary care if needed, etc.

· Adopting person(s) will not permit young children to handle the rat(s) without proper instruction and supervision.

· Adopting person(s) agree(s) that in the event that the rat(s) must be re-homed and a good home cannot be found, the rat(s) will be returned to the Silver Fuzz Rattery before being brought to a shelter or turned loose.

· Adopting person(s) understand that in the event that they are unhappy with the rat(s), the rat(s) can be returned (within a reasonable amount of time) for a full price refund, or exchange.

· Adopting person(s) agree to quarantine the new rat(s) from any current rodent(s) that they already have, for a minimum of three weeks.

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:

SIGNATURE OF ADOPTER: ______________________________________________

DATE: _______________________________________________________________

If you're interested in adopting, please copy and paste the following questions into your email, answer them, and email them to me. Feel free to elaborate or extend upon any of the questions. Rather than turn you down for a "wrong" answer, I will try to educate you, so don't worry about it too much. This application is basically to save both me and potential adopters time so I'm not typing out the same questions to everyone over and over.

- Silver Fuzz Rattery Adoption Application -

Are you interested in rats as pets only, or pets with the potential to breed them?

Will this be your first experience owning rats?

If not, do you currently have rats at home?

If yes, do you understand proper quarantine procedures?

What type of diet will you be feeding?

What type of housing will your rat(s) live in?

What type of bedding will you use in the cage?

Are you prepared to take the rat(s) to the vet if ever needed?

Did you read the Terms Of Adoption and About SFR information on my website?

Which rats are you interested in?

Email to: dayna@silverfuzzrattery.com

First, you should read all of the information on my site so that you're familiar with how I do things here. This will save us both a lot of time, most of the questions people email me with are already answered on this site. Then you'll want to fill out an adoption application and email that to me.

If all goes well with your application and you're approved, you will either be able to reserve available babies, or be added to the waiting list.

• All babies will be placed in same sex pairs or groups, unless you already have one or more rats at home to which they may be introduced following quarantine.
• No deposit is required to reserve babies, but please make sure you are POSITIVE before reserving. Payment via cash or check is due at the time of pick up.
• If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent's/guardian's permission to adopt.
• Parents are allowed to adopt rats as "pets for the children" provided the parents themselves are aware that they will end up being the main caretaker for the animals.
• All rats are placed as PET ONLY unless a signed contract between both myself and the adopter states otherwise. All rats will be registered with the NARR as pet only. I do not approve of casual breeding with my rats.
• I have an adoption contract that all adopters must sign, promising proper care in the ways of housing, diet, vet care, and child supervision. You can see a copy linked to the left.
• You must be able to come pick up your reserved babies from me. Unfortunately, I don't usually have the time to deliver babies or meet people anywhere. It never hurts to ask, but the answer will almost always be, "I'm sorry, but no."
• All adopters must quarantine their new rat(s) from me from any current rodents they may already have. If you're not aware of proper quarantine methods, please email me for more information. This is VERY important for all rat owners, no matter where your new rat comes from!
• All adopters are welcome to a copy of their rat(s) pedigree information. It's usually provided on my litter pages, and if requested I will give you a paper copy as well when you pick your babies up. (Please ask in advance so I am able to print these out if you'd like.)
• We are a closed rattery. This means adopters are not allowed into the rat room at all. I will have your babies in my bedroom or the livingroom at the time of pickup. This protects my colony from any possible airborne viruses or other infections that can be spread via visitors. NO exceptions will be made.. please do not ask.