The Dumbo Tree Rattery |

How To Reserve Your Rat

Adoption Application - This is a form available through the web site for potential adopters to fill out. It gives me information on you, what you're looking for and what care you offer your pets. It will also allow you to be placed on a waiting list for one of my litters after I confirm with you. Likewise, if there is anything in your application that would make me question my willingness to adopt to you, I will contact you and delve into the matter personally.

If you send in an adoption application, be on the look out! Sometimes e-mails may end up in Junk or Bulk mail folders if your e-mail filter is set high. So if you don't hear from me within a week, please check your Junk or Bulk e-mail folders, or contact me again. Sorry for the inconvenience!

For each litter, I reserve rats on a first-come, first-serve basis. The earlier in advance you contact me about a litter, the better your chances are for getting what you want. Being on the waiting list does not guarantee you a baby from that litter! Being on the list simply guarantees that you have a certain place in line for a baby. I cannot guarantee that your baby will be born that litter, or that there will be enough to go around. I will work with you as much as I can with each litter, but in the end, it's up to Mother Nature.

What I Look For In Potential Adopters

First and foremost, there must be a true love and appreciation for these animals, followed by a genuine desire to own and care for them. Without this, I won't consider you for adoption. I also have to make sure that for the animal's benefit, you have the time, space, finances and desire to own rats. It's important that you are able to provide the rat with the basics of love, food, water, shelter and good health.

In the end, I are looking for someone who is willing to work with me in caring for these animals. Someone who, if they don't already know a lot about the animals, is willing to learn and take advice. I do not expect you to be an expert right off the bat. I am here to help my rats find good 'parents', and all parents need help in the beginning.

I advise potential adopters to check out the Basic Rat Care page... even if you are an experienced rat owner, you might learn something new!

Registration

All of my litters are registered with NARR. This means when you adopt a rat from me, they will have a litter registration number, a registered number and a registered name (often chosen by the adopter). I will also have transfer papers, which will list you as the current owner of the rat. I will fill out all of the paperwork for you, but I may need to ask adopters for information such as the name of a person to list as the current owner, current owner's e-mail address and mailing address, etc.

As a breeder, I ask that you contact me immediately if any behavioral or health problems come about so they can be documented for my records, as well as with NARR.

Adoption Fees

Some babies or adults are available for adoption on breeding contracts to reputable breeders and ratteries (see Contract below for more information), but will most likely be adopted out on pet-only. DT reserves the right to choose which contract will be selected on an individual basis.

Standard rate for babies (5 weeks - 4 months) is $15.
Standard rate for adult rats that are still within breeding age (4 months - 1 1/2 years) is $15.
Standard rate for adults past their breeding age is $10 and they are available as pet-only.

The rates are flexible and may increase or decrease depending on the particular litter or number of rats you are adopting.

Pick-Up and Delivery

The Dumbo Tree is a closed rattery. This means that if you are picking up your new rats or just stopping by for a visit, you will not be allowed in the rat room. This is nothing personal, this is just to ensure the health and well-being of my own rats. There are many harmful airborne diseases that can be carried on your clothing (or other material), and I don't want to take that risk with my rats or any rats I'm adopting out. I have many pictures and descriptions of our rats online, and I'm more than willing to discuss care and cage set-ups. I apologize for any inconvenience.

I do sometimes offer the option of delivery. I can make arrangements to meet you halfway or possibly at your own house. Due to time and money, I may ask for a "delivery fee."

Quarantine

When adding a rat to your existing group of rats, it is very important to quarantine your new animals before introducing them to your old ones to prevent the spread of rat diseases (some of which are life-long or life-threatening). The new rat should be quarantined in a rat free area for 2-3 weeks. By rat free, we mean that your new and old rats cannot share the same air due to many rat airborne viruses. So unless you have a temperature controlled, well-lit and well-ventillated garage, guest house or shed that is not attached to your house, you will need to find your new rats a temporary home (without any other rats living there) where they can be properly cared for and watched for any signs of illness.

Of course, if your new rats are your only rats, then you don't have to worry about quarantining until you get more (which I know you will)!

Adoption Contract

When adopting a rat from me, you will be expected to sign an adoption contract. This is pretty standard for most breeders, and is no exception here. Below is a basic image of the contract; though I may add or subtract sections as I see fit, this is the general idea. For breeders, in addition to the contract, I ask that you be an active member of NARR and an RSA-affiliated club.