I have to say that I'm p'd off trying to take in a couple of rats. I want them primarily for myself but also for my son to understand the concept of looking after animals.

I've looked after hamsters before, years ago, for many years. I even saved up for the best possible cage I could from my pocket money (though they were shite in those days). I cleaned out my brothers as he was a few years younger than I was, and I was the animal fan lol. So, my parents thought it was my duty to clean it out, and to be honest, it didn't bother me doing it. Anyway, I did that as well as brought up baby birds etc.

Things are different now but I understand the needs of various rodents.

Anyway, my gripe is, I've contacted a couple of shelters for animals asking a quick question about rats, and if there are any available, and I've had no reply. I've not had a reply from the Fancy rats association when I asked about breeders either. It's bloody annoying. I don't want to go a pet shop but I'm getting to the point where I feel I have no choice.

I just want a couple of male rats that are comfortable being handled. Nothing much.

I just want to say well done for persevering to go down the rescue route, have you looked on fancy rats forum, they have a rescue section and I think most rodent rescues dont mind if youre not local, home checks and transport can usually be arranged. Stick with it and dont feed the pockets of the rodent farms who provide most pet shops with 'stock', its not as easy as walking into a pet shop but you really wont regret getting a rescue.

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

Where abouts are you located hun? As i have rats available for rehoming that are friendly and totally gorgeous The only thing is i dont know their family history whereas if you got them from breeders you would at least know their lines. They are young too, roughly 5 months old. Please dont go to a pet shop, sometimes things just take time.

I'd love a pair of rescues. I went into P@H today to pick up a few things and there was a few rats in there. They looked a fair size so I wouldn't say there were young. As I said, I'm trying to contact rescue centres first, and breeders last. I just hate the thought of those rats sitting there when no one can be bothered to contact me about rehoming a rat or two.

I'm in Hull. I'm a soft sod in that I know that going to a pet shop is the wrong thing, but when you see an animal almost adult size there, wondering if that's the best it'll have out of life, it breaks your heart.

Ahh a bit far from me But i know what you mean about pet shops which is why i try to avoid them and if i need to go in p@h i dont go near the pets. The 5 youngsters i have now came to me from someone who 'accidently' bred their girls, they had awful skin problems but have now healed up and are fantastic boys. I did get to see their dad who was huge so i reckon they are going to be right big squishes when they are fully grown

Hmmm.. perhaps I should have had some cheese with my whine lol. Sorry, I think I shouldn't have had that last glass of wine. Talk about waffling.

Anyway. I've found a breeder in Hull and I should be getting a couple of males in the next few days. I'm also getting a bigger cage, probably the freddy 2.

Thanks for the replies all.

lolol. That's a good phrase, squishes. How old are your boys at the moment?

I'm just wondering, is the freddy 2 suitable for 3 rats. If it is I suppose if a lone male came up that needed rescuing, I'd be able to help.

I think the Freddy 3 ought to be fine for 3 rats, at least from the advice I got. (Although we ended up with a different cage in the end)
Enjoy your new lads!

The 5 i mentioned are about 5ish months now . The freddy 2 is said to be big enough for 3 rats but i personally would only keep 2 in there unless you mean a freddy 2 max but thats only slightly bigger. A freddy 3 is much much better for 3 though.

And boys generally turn into squishes when they are fully grown