Help! I need to find a rat soon (Tucson, AZ)

[yourelf]

My mom decided to get my little bro a pet companion for his b-day and I somehow, after weeks of convincing, got her to agree to a rat. Problem is his b-day is in 8 days and I can't find a breeder close enough. (My mom is not interested in driving 4 hours to pick up a rodent and my car will simply not make it) I have done tons of research and I really want to avoid big petstores, but if we dont find young rat in town thats where we will end up.
If we have to go to the pet store I will probably just suggest we get a gerbil, or hamster or something else, but I know a rat would be the best.

Also, I know getting one rat is bad because they are sociable and could become lonely, my bro and I are both in school, but would spend a lot of time with it. What are your experiences with lone rats? If getting a pair is not possible would it be better to not get any?

Thanks for all you help
yourself

[italianqt]

It's definitely better not to get any rats than get just one. Isn't there a shelter somewhere in AZ? I thought it was on the news at one point...my mind is drawing a blank though.

[RiverRat]

I live an hour and a half from Tucson, and I haven't been able to locate anyone yet.  My rats have all come from Petsmart because I'm (to be frank) an idiot that keeps fooling myself into thinking I'll be able to "just look" when I go to pick up supplies, and inevitably I fall in love with *someone*.  Maybe you could try to get in touch with Any Rat Rescue in Phoenix?   I'm pretty sure they have young rats available (check petfinder.com) and see if maybe you could arrange a half-way pick up?

As far as owning a single rat...I remember reading something that gave a great analogy about owning a single rat.  Here's a paraphrased version of how they described it since I can't locate the original link:

Imagine a student going away to college in a new country.  They have no family, no friends, no telephone and no way of communicating with other people.  Their only source of companionship is a small pet that they brought along.  While it does give them some comfort, it's not the same as being able to be with someone of their own species.

I would suggest if you can't get at least a pair, that it would be better not to get a rat at all.  Even mice and gerbils are social and do best in groups.  If you're looking for a solitary critter, a hamster would be fine.

[yourelf]

Well maybe I'm exagerating the idea that you should never get a rat from a big petstore. If the rats are being sold as pets, not food, how much of a difference is there between them and ones I would find at a rescue? Seems that the ones at a rescue would often be the result of two store bought rats having unwanted offspring...

[RiverRat]

You might want to repost this question in the general discussion section.  The mods tend to frown if things get off-topic in the Adoption Center. 

[xanterra]

Well maybe I'm exagerating the idea that you should never get a rat from a big petstore. If the rats are being sold as pets, not food, how much of a difference is there between them and ones I would find at a rescue? Seems that the ones at a rescue would often be the result of two store bought rats having unwanted offspring...

Eh heh...that could cause a huge debate on this forum.