where to buy rats?

Can anyone tell me where is the best place to buy a well bred rat?
My sister in law keeps rats, but so far half the rats she has have died under one yr old, that would be 3 in the past 4 months. She bought them from a garden centre. I told her perhaps she should buy off a proper breeder so they will be healthier, but i dont know where to tell her to look?

We had two rats a few years ago which we purchased from Pets at Home although one died at 18 months old and the other was just over two when it died. Perhaps if she joined a rat forum someone would be able to recommend a good rat breeder in her area

The rescue centres usually have some, I would get one there.

I can PM you a list of great breeders if you like, and a great forum? I have been keeping rats for a long time now and i think the best place to start is with a top NFRS breeder (much like the KC for rats! lol) as rescues can often be hard work - we rescued for a while - and have several nervous biters - and they aren't easy to train It can be done but unless you want a real challenge - best to go to a good breeder who will help you a lot, give you pedigrees, explain shows etc etc - I can't stress the importance of NOT buying from a petshop though. In he rat world we are desperately trying to stop petshop buying as they just get more rats in, and often the rats they have a sickly and die before they are 2 - many breeder rats live to about 3 or more.
hope I've helped a bit and if you need more adivce - please PM me. As I said i can give you a forum and breeders links!

xx

ooooo also - it's a very good idea to get on the rat forums etc and learn a lot before applying for rats as most breeders expect a small degree of knowledge! they wan't their babies to go to the best homes - so its a good plan to read up a lot first.

xx

hi zoundz, it would be great if u could pm me some info. I dont know anything about rats, but sister in law has been doing research. If i can persuade her to buy from a reputable breeder then it is a good start instead of buying another pet shop rat

shame you werent closer as I have a litter of baby rats ,after the female escaped and got pregnant by a wild rat ,I managed to count them the other day and she has 13 all very healthy and active and all brown like their father
I have been ripping out some old wood in the shed today and I found a dead mummified wild rat ,I'll need to take some pictures of it ,it looks very creepy ,it looks like it curled up and died then just dried out

eek.
what a thing to tell a rat lover! :P I must get me one of those!

If however you do want a rescue - I can also send you a list of good rat rescues that often need help - though they are quite far from you. The best one I found was in Manchester - though there are others just as good in Cambridgeshire, midlands etc...

xx

Jenny, I would listen to Zoundz. She does really know her stuff. I actually met her on the rat forum. I also have 9 rats but unfortunatley am having to rehome them this weekend due to the fact that they are making my asthma and my sons asthma very bad

Luckily, we are not allergic to dogs as we have been around them from day one

I would definatley get on the rat forum and get some good advice. There are a lot of people on there that have been keeping rats for years and really know what they are talking about. Then I would definately get from a breeder.

My first two were from the RSPCA. Amy has since passed and Susie has suffered chest infections. I wouldn't recommend rescues unless you are an experienced rat owner already as both of mine were biters (I didn't know any different at the time). If you get from a breeder then they are bred for health and temprement and you know that they will be well socialised.

My 3 boys are from a breeder and they are the friendliest tamest little things you could meet (Zoundz will vouch for that, she rat sat when I went on hols).

Good luck in your search and I hope you find what you are looking for.

awww thanks! it's sweet that you think so highly of me!

but yes - breeder rats tend to be healthier, larger, more friendly and just generally much easier. I haven't any really right now (just 2) and i have spent hundreds on vets bills (well over £350 since january) and not a penny on my two breeder lads. Also my breeder pair are much more docile than any of my rescues/petshops. and - you get the added bonus of being able to choose a really nice variety.

xx