:: Homing Policy ::

:: Vetting ::

After receiving enquiries for kittens via our contact form we will in most cases send people the link to our online questionnaire. This is a series of basic questions giving the potential new owner the chance to tell us all about the home where our kittens will be going. In most cases, the answers given are more than satisfactory and we are more than happy to reserve kittens to people. Occasionally, we find an answer differs from our own methods and offer our advice to the potential new owners - we offer our opinion because we feel we do things "right", although others have the right to their own opinions which may be equally valid (we all try to do things "right", but sometimes our interpretation of "right" can be very different!).

Rarely, we will find some answers we are very disagreeable to, such as feeding or housing requirements. In these cases we explain the problems, and often the applicant is more than grateful for the advice and quickly adopts a new approach based on the advice we've given. Very rarely though, people will be unwilling to take our advice and we feel unable to give these people rats on this basis. Some theories of rat husbandry we are completely disagreeable to, and we will not tolerate our kittens going to these homes.

The main points we look out for through our questionnaire are poor nutrition, unsuitable bedding/substrate and too small or unsuitable caging. These are the aspects on which we will give advice where it is deemed necessary.

Of course, some people may choose to lie for various reasons on their questionnaire answers. This is a very rare occurrance, and usually these people are easily spotted. We understand that still mistakes are possible on our part, and very rarely rats may go to unsuitable homes, but we do our utmost to make sure this never happens. Other than keeping all our kittens ourselves, there is no better way to ensure this.

:: Under 16s ::

Unless we know you already, if you are under sixteen years old, we may have to talk with a parent or guardian to ensure that you understand the responsibility being bestowed upon you by owning pets. This may seem condescending to some, but please remember that we are trying to make sure each and every single rat reaches a good home, so we feel it is a necessary process.

:: Reservations ::

Once the questionnaire is out of the way, potential owners may choose to state a preference for particular varieties of rat. We always try to honour these wherever possible, but it is important to understand that after we keep our chosen kittens to carry on our lines, there may not be as much choice as to fulfil everyone's preferences. Sometimes it is necessary for us to make sure that we do not leave an identical pair left unreserved, as this would be harder for us to home also. It may be best to state a preference for one particular variety and let us decide the kitten's partner. You may also choose to wait for another litter if this is preferrable.

Usually we do not confirm reserved rats with people until the kittens are around 4 weeks of age, or often later, as it is not until at least that we can decide who is best to keep for ourselves or other breeders. Quite often we will be able to confirm that we have reserved a pair from a particular litter, but without specifying varieties. Please be patient at this point, as it may take some time for us to choose - do not worry, we have not forgotten you!

:: Collection ::

Kittens may be collected when they are six weeks old at the very earliest. Sometimes this may be later if we feel, for whatever reason, that the kittens are not ready for the outside while just yet. We will contact you to arrange a collection time or method when the kittens are around 4.5-5 weeks old.

Sometimes it may be possible for us to take rats with us to shows, which may provide a more convenient meeting place. Occasionally it may also be possible for us to meet you at a mutually convenient location for collection. These occasions are rare, as we prefer new owners to "meet the family" first, but if necessary we will consider these options.

All our kittens are homed with accompanying pedigree, pet agreement, information sheets, some dry food, high protein food and sometimes other bits and pieces in order to set them up well in their new homes.

:: Pet Agreement ::

We ask all of the new owners of our rats to sign two copies of a pet agreement for each rat they are collecting (one copy for us, one copy for them, constituting a legally binding document). These agreements simply state that the new owners will care for the animals appropriately, give them vet care when needed and contact us should there be any problems with the rats at all. Although these agreements are written to be legally binding as a contract, they are in reality far less formal and help to ensure that new owners are sure of their responsibilities.

:: Rehoming ::

Should there be any kind of change of circumstance for any owner of rats bred by us, we will of course offer those rats a home. This also applies if owners are not happy with the rats they have bought. We always need to know if owners would like to rehome their rats from us, as in most cases we will take them on. In some cases we will arrange new homes for these rats where appropriate, in all other cases we will keep them permanently for the rest of their lives. We take full responsibility for all rats bred by us, and would hate to think that any of our rats are not loved, so we will gladly take them back to ensure they receive appropriate care.

:: Rats for Breeding Purposes ::

Sometimes we receive enquiries from people via our website for rats for breeding purposes. In almost all of these cases, we politely refuse. As we only home rats for breeding to people who we know well and trust, if you have to use the form to contact us then we probably do not know you well enough for this! Although we appreciate that new breeders must get started with appropriate breeding rats with good health records and a good pedigree, we regretfully cannot risk trusting new breeders with our rats until we know you better. Breeding rats is a sizeable responsibility, where many things can be done wrong by mistake or ignorance, and in some cases this puts rats' lives at risk.

When we do home rats for breeding purposes, we home them to people who share the majority of our ethics - especially the most important values surrounding culling, health and temperament recording, homing policies and breeding methods. We like to stay close to these lines that branch off from our own, as in future we may wish to cross our own lines back to them.

We do not believe in one-to-one mentoring, as this does not allow the mentored to get a holistic view of breeding, and does not allow for free thought. We do, of course, believe in educating new breeders with our own opinions and ethics. We feel that new breeders will best learn their "trade" firstly by meeting experienced breeders and gathering their advice, and secondly by first hand experience once their breeding plans are commenced. If you would like advice from us, then please do feel free to ask - we will answer with just our opinions, which you can choose to disagree or agree with, we simply know what works best for our rats.

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