socRATties

Hi, I'm Michelle.

I work in Financial Planning, and my daily dose of my 7 rats keeps me happy and vaguely sane! I run and write and maintain socRATties the program and website. I'm active on several rat mailing lists, including the ratlist (international) and member of  Goosemoose . I am totally passionate about rats their care and helping to make them popular pets in SA,

SocRATties is the creation that was born out of the need to have a ground force campaigning for the rats (and other small furries out there too mind you) and making itself available to go face to face with anyone wanting to learn. Reading up is great, chatting online is wonderful, but sometimes you want someone there, to look at your rat and advise on not vet required odds and ends!

In 2005 I was approached by Maureen at Ratty Rascals, based in Pretoria/Jo'burg ( http://rattyrascals.co.za ) to join the newly formed club along with a fair number of other rat enthusiasts. In November 2005 myself, and two other members broke away (while still however remaining members) and started the Cape based Ratanooga ( http://www.ratanooga.co.za ) another rat club.

After an unfortunate turn of events, in September 2006, I was forced to retire my Co Founder position at Ratanooga and decided to follow my passion for education and start a program that would allow me to make myself available both online, as well as in shops etc to do live education. Sitting one afternoon, at a total loss, I asked my dear friend and fellow rat enthusiast and owner, Chloe, for a name that would stand out and say exactly what we stand for...........and she did.

Chloe is my right hand person, be it throwing around new rat related ideas, dashing off together to do a rescue, or just being a shoulder when I loose one of my furries, socRATties wouldnt be the same without her input. When I met her she was mom to 2 rats, Karni Bai and Ratticus Templar. At last count she was up to 10. So, Id like to add a special word of thanks to her for all her past help and all the assistance I know that she will give to socRATties in the future.

So welcome to socRATties..............please feel free to contact me should you be interested in anything rodent (or even mice, hamsters, guinee pigs etc)

Scritches and boggles
Mellowmich