I am willing to rat sit in the Milwaukee area (Wisconsin):

1) I can check on the rats pretty much whenever and have time to play with them
2) I can also drive to your place
3) No kids, no other pets at our home. Just 2 female rats
4) At our house they could play in a play pen
5) I am not familiar with sick rats yet but I am willing to learn
6) I would be willing to care for other small animals and cats too.

A different room is not enough- in actuality you may as well not quarantine at all.  It must be a *completely* different airspace in order for a quarantine to be effective.  Not the basement, not the back room.  If you have a heated/AC'd out building for example, that might work, however changing clothes and showering before you held your own rats would be a must. 

Of course it IS up to every person to decide what they, as an individual are going to do for their pets.  However, if you've ever seen what SDA or Sendai can do and how fast these illnesses can work, you may re-consider that policy.  We're here to be caretakers and do what's best for our kiddos - taking unneeded risks isn't in their best interest.

Alright, I've updated the original post to pertain only to those willing to travel to care for rats. I assume if people need to work out another situation, they can do it over pm.

Goose or Suebee, think we can delete the conversations after a while and try to get the directory back into working order?

great idea! was wondering if people could also list professional pet sitting companies that have successfully cared for their rats. granted that i would prefer actual rat owners to most sitters, but my friend found a good one to care for her chinchilla (high maintenance critter here). it could be a good backup in any case. maybe it could be stickied along w/ the vet directory.

I've stickied the topic for now...

I wonder if Goose can set up a directory on the site similar to our Vet directory?

Good point about taking rats into your own home if you have rats. I was always wondering about that. So, I am updating my post response:

I am willing to rat sit in the Milwaukee area (Wisconsin) - up to 20 miles:

1) I can check on the rats pretty much whenever (I don't take them to my house since I own two rats)
2) I am willing to drive up to 20 miles, once a day, every day
3) I have time to play with them for about one hour a day
4) I am not familiar with sick rats yet but I am willing to learn. Of course I would go to the vet if necessary
5) I would be willing to care for other small animals and cats too (only experienced in cat care).

I am willing to rat-sit in Pennsylvania (Altoona Area).

1. I'm a teacher, so you have a good idea what my schedule is like. 

2. If I have to go to your house, it has to be within 20 minutes.  .  .although I'd consider further if I have a reason to be out that way (or if you're willing to help with gas).  I'd rather watch your animals at my house, I have pleanty of room to keep them separate from my own.

3. If I'm going to your house, I like to make it a longish stay to make the drive worth it, so free-ranging is a definate.

4. I have an excellent vet for all kinds of animals.  I have had some experience with ratty illness.  I have worked with rats with emotional problems in the past.  I have no experience with rats with handicaps, but that doesn't mean that I'm not willing to rat-sit.

5. My family currently consists of two small dogs, a cat, three anoles, and a husband.  I'm willing to care for any of these, but you'll have to find another sitter for your own husband    I also have experience with various other small animals, frogs, and snakes.  I don't do fish unless there are VERY detailed instructions, because I have problems keeping fish alive.

1. My schedule is very open
2. I could care for pets pretty much anywhere in the Seattle area. I use the bus to get around though we do have a car (gas is so expensive!).
3. Right now I could commit to several hours a day easily if needed
4. My medical experience stops at basic medication but I would be willing to learn new medications if needed
5. I've cared for rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, cats, dogs, iguanas, snakes, turtles, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, parrots, lizards, various amphibians, insects, spiders.... I used to pet sit for spending money when I was a teenager 

Please make sure to post:
1. What your schedule is like and when you are available
2. How far you are willing to drive to provide care and how often you can make the drive
3. How much time can you commit per day? Can you spend enough time to allow for free-ranging?
4. What is your experience with rat medical care? Would you be comfortable caring for a rat that has special needs?
5. In addition to rats, what other animals do you have experience in caring for?
 

Hi, I'm Brandy, located in the Reno, Sparks, Sun Valley area in Nevada

1. I am always available.  My husband works during the day currently, while I stay at home and take care of bills and our babies.
2. I am always willing to drive anywhere your pet needs to go.  If you have a perferred vet in the area, I will be sure to take it there.
3. As I stated, I can commit alot of time, due to me not working currently.  I hope to instill as much free-range on your rat as I do all of mine.  I will quarantine them so they will have their own space, their own free-range area, and won't come in contact with anyone else but me or my husband.
4.  I worked in petstores for a while now, taking care of all their special needs and learning about each individual one.  I am more than willing to learn something about rats that I don't already know, infact I'm learning more about them everyday. 
5.  I've cared for dogs, hedgehogs, ferrets, cats, any small animal like mice gunni pigs, hamsters, etc.  I have cared for a vast knowledge of reptiles... but I have a policy against owning or caring for snakes for the time because I wouldn't be able to feed them what they needed.  I've tried and it broke my heart.

I have 3 rats of my own, and have owned rats since I was very young.

I can sit anywhere in Ventura County and some places in Santa Barbara proper, but not other areas of SB county.

I also have experience with dogs, cats, small birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, and opossums.

 I am available to rat sit  any time after 2 in the afternoon 'til whenever is needed. So, yes, there would be lots of time to free range.    that's the best part of rat - sitting anyway, isn't it? I would make the drive daily! Rats need (and hog) all the attention they can get. 

 I have experienced a few sicknesses with my rats and know the ammount of care and dedication it takws to nurse a sick rat back to health. I also know how to get them to take their meds without fuss! (It's all in the food when it comes to little ratties. ) It would be a pleasure for me to take care of special needs rats.

(modified 5/2008, I have relocated but am once again available for rat sitting and possible fostering for rescues)

Seattle, Washington

I have owned rats for about 4 years but am currently ratless.  I would be willing to rat sit in my home as it would be a clean and safe environment.  I have been away from the rat world for quite some time and I am not ready for more rats of my own but would love to help other rat owners. 

1. I leave home at 7:30am and return at 5:30 pm for work, Monday through Friday but I am home all day during the weekends.
2. I would prefer to rat-sit in my home (S. Seattle) but could possibly consider visiting your home if necessary.
3. If the rats come to my home I can spend as much time as needed meeting their care/attention needs before and after work.
4. My previous rats lived very long lives but did have some health issues (unfortunatly as most rats do).  I feel very confident in providing meds or special feeding if needed and would not hesitate to bring the rats to their vet if needed.  During the time that I owned my rats I was very active with forums and research.
5. I do have two dogs of my own.  Both are very well trained and are in a fenced yard during the day so they would never be left alone with the rats at any point in time.  I do have experience with rabbits as well.
 

www.earps.org

EARPS/Happy Endings pet sits in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne & Columbia City, IN...all proceeds go directly to providing medical care, supplies, etc for foster animals.  PM me or vegan_rat for more info.