Lil Ratscals Rattery

Contact: Carole Nelson Email: rats@lilratscal.com Website: http://www.lilratscal.com Location: Ottawa, Ontario I place my rats privately as pets

Describe the types of rats that you breed or intend to breed.

Assorted Dumbos and standards in blues, platinum, silver, lilac, fawn, 
beige, champagne, agouti, black and cinnamon. Sometimes pearl merles 
in standard and rex and velvet coats. Sometimes Siamese in Russian blue, 
blue and seal points. Check for what's available.

Do you keep records?  That is, do you have knowledge of the 
health, temperament, and colour of past rats in your breeding lines?

I  always keep pedigrees, helpful brochures, give follow up advise and carefully 
plan every single litter. I like to be kept advised on how my pets are doing with 
their newly adopted families. All are planned ahead for the best in health, 
temperament and to improve my lines.

What type of bedding do you use?

I use Pro-chips, aspen, Carefresh,  and sometimes mix bedding in different 
parts of the cage.

Do you also rescue rats?

No to rescues to protect the health of my rats but I help place them for friends 
and the Humane Society

Describe the steps you take to quarantine new rats.

I don't really have to worry much about quarantining because I don't mix my 
rats with other people's. A sure way to avoid any health problems. I carefully 
select enough to start with and plan ahead. If I ever have to quarantine it would 
be for a few weeks and at another home with no rats if possible. I would then 
wait a few more weeks after introduction checking on health before I considered 
breeding.

How many rats do you currently own?

I usually like to keep around  16-20 without counting any babies.

Describe your cages.

My cages are white powder coated with bars running cross ways so they climb a lot.
They are huge chinchilla cages with corner shelves. I have beds hanging up high and 
lots of hanging toys on pully chains. Bells to ring for dinner. Every cage has one or two 
wheels.

How many litters do you have or expect to have per year?

I only breed 2 or 3 a year or when I get enough requests. My friends usually return 
for more.

Do you wait until you have waiting lists to breed your rats?

See above

Do you insist that people adopting rats from you must sign an adoption 
contract?

No not as yet but we have a good interview and understanding before I let someone 
have my babies for pets only.

Describe your goals with respect to breeding rats.

My goals are to breed only beautiful, healthy, well tempered rats for people who will 
love them and keep them their life time for loving pets only. To study them and help 
promote them as wonderful, clean and intelligent pets.

Is it your intention to make a net profit from breeding rats?

No, I laugh at anyone who thinks you can unless they are a ware house. I am a 
hobbiest breeder and their is no way I could make any money with the care and 
equipment I provide.

How long have you cared for rats?

I have always had  pet rats now for 25 years.

How long have you been breeding rats?

I have been breeding now for 7 years.

Do you ship your rats? If so, how?

I do not ship rats myself but prefer to meet people. I sometimes have family or 
friends who are travelling by car.

At what age to you adopt out babies to people?

I always wait till they are weened off of the mom and usually they are 5 weeks old. 
Occasionally 4 weeks with an experienced person if weened.

Describe your breeding techniques (inbreeding, linebreeding, 
outcrossing, etc.).

I  line breeding a little and then out cross.  I do not inbreed.

Are you a member of a rat club such as the RMCA RMFE or 
rat fan club?

Yes RMCA, and involved in some on line rat groups and breeder groups

Do you keep in touch with people who have adopted your rats in order to 
keep track of trends in health and temperament?

I always do follow ups with anyone who gets rats from me and am available for 
any assistance they need. I have studied them for years.

Describe where you got the rats that you are breeding. 

I mostly have Ginger Cardinal in California select them for me. She is a long time 
friend, certified judge and author of the book, A guide To A Happy Healthy Pet- 
THE RAT hand pick my rats for me.

Describe how you socialize rat babies.

I believe in touching the babies as soon as mom will let you to have the human scent 
on them. I pick them right away and share with mom and not wait around for them to 
come to me. By the times their eyes are open they are running and clinging to me. 
They are running in wheels before they are weened off of mom and get lots of treats. 
Well they also get kisses and are spoiled rotten or is that ratten.

Are there any additional comments that you would like people to know when
considering adopting from your rattery?

I enjoy emailing and helping out the friends who get rats from me and keeping in touch.
I am always available for any assistance or problems that may come up. I have a huge 
library of information.

Date form was completed:

January 2002