Giving away rats - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

[Rythlas]

I'm looking to give away two adult rats, both female, and their soon to be pups.  I'm not sure how many there will be, but I'm going to keep two of the female newborns once they become independent from their mother.

I recently bought them as a pair from a local pet store, because my friends who work there were going to feed them to the snakes.  They were meant to be feeder rats, so they're pretty anti-social for now, but I'm sure with a little tender, love, and care they'll be cuddly and lovable.

Due to the high gas prices right now, I wont be able to travel far unless I'm able to nab my mom's car. :/

If you have any questions hit me up on MSN at porkysnail@gmail.com or email me there. MSN preferably.

[Rythlas]

I may have made things sound a little unclear in my first post.  The two adult rats must stay together, it would be nice if you could take the other pups off my hands, but they dont have to go with the mother and cagemate. And like I said, I'll be taking two of the female pups, so it may not be that many. If not, I'm sure I'll find a way to get rid of them.  I'm not sure if the local pet stores will take them, I'll have to see, or does anybody know?

[~*ChaoticSerenity*~]

nevermind...you answered my question i think...

so youre wanting to give away to unsocialized girls but keeping two of the babies so you can start from scratch? how far along are they? do you know an estimated age? are they in good health? do you have pictures

[Rythlas]

Yeah, pretty much.  That way I know their exact age, health, and whose handled them properly or not.

They're pretty young, from the same litter, so their the same age.  The shop keeper estimated that they were at least 3 months old, no less than that, but I'm not sure when it comes to that stuff, I've never owned rats before, it was pretty much spur of the moment because I didn't want them eaten by a snake. :S I can get pictures later this afternoon when I get off work.

EDIT: They seem healthy, I checked their eyes and nose for any discharges. I listened close for wheeziness or respiratory issues, so yes, from what I can tell, they're healthy.

[diabolique]

Are you sure you would want to give the babies to a pet store -- where they may just become feeders?     Most larger chains that sell rats as pets have strict rules about where their rats come from, I think.

[Rythlas]

Yeahhh.... But I don't have the room for more than two rats, and unless a home is found for them... :/

[diabolique]

I don't mean to be a pain here, but why did you take in two pregnant females if you don't have room for more than two rats? I understand that you didn't want them to become feeders, but it doesn't make sense that you would want to save the two moms from being feeders but would then be okay with turning the babies over to a petstore to become feeders after saving the moms.  That doesn't compute in my mind; maybe I've just not had enough coffee.

I hope you are able to find good homes for the babies. When we take these animals in, it becomes our responsibility to care for them properly and provide a good life.

Sorry, moderators, I know there's no conversation allowed in the Adoption forum. I'll stop. This situation is just confusing to me. 

[Rythlas]

Only is one pregnant, and I didn't know of it. I planned on keeping them as pets, until the other one started to get bigger.  I'm not sure if the humane society here takes rats, and I believe I know of one pet store that wouldn't use them as feeders, because they don't have any larger reptiles.  I can understand why you're confused. :/

[jesirose]

The store might not have anything that eats rats, but the customers WILL.


You should go back to the store you bought her from and complain.

[~*ChaoticSerenity*~]

Yeah, pretty much.  That way I know their exact age, health, and whose handled them properly or not.

They're pretty young, from the same litter, so their the same age.  The shop keeper estimated that they were at least 3 months old, no less than that, but I'm not sure when it comes to that stuff, I've never owned rats before, it was pretty much spur of the moment because I didn't want them eaten by a snake. :S I can get pictures later this afternoon when I get off work.

EDIT: They seem healthy, I checked their eyes and nose for any discharges. I listened close for wheeziness or respiratory issues, so yes, from what I can tell, they're healthy.

just to let you know if you dont know the health history of the parents it will be difficult to determine if the babies will have problemss...and there is still time to work on the handling of the older girls..i just dont understand why someone would adopt two girls who they knew were unsocialized just to give them away..and keep 2 of the babies...and I also dont understand if you are so worried about the 2 older girls becoming food but you dont mind about the babies because you dont have room...

you might also want to try and see if there are any rescues around you that can help find homes for the babies so that way they dont become food. Also try contacting the SPCA and tell them your situation

[StarsRescue]

I'm looking to give away two adult rats, both female, and their soon to be pups.  I'm not sure how many there will be, but I'm going to keep two of the female newborns once they become independent from their mother.

I recently bought them as a pair from a local pet store, because my friends who work there were going to feed them to the snakes.  They were meant to be feeder rats, so they're pretty anti-social for now, but I'm sure with a little tender, love, and care they'll be cuddly and lovable.

Due to the high gas prices right now, I wont be able to travel far unless I'm able to nab my mom's car. :/

If you have any questions hit me up on MSN at porkysnail@gmail.com or email me there. MSN preferably.

Hey im also in South Dakota i could possible help you out. I could do it ASAP, just let me know.
Email me or PM me so we can talk more.

[Ratlovingkippy06]

The store might not have anything that eats rats, but the customers WILL.


You should go back to the store you bought her from and complain.

'
 I know petsmart will not take back animals after the 14 day and also do not take in unwanted animals in less an employee can take them because they can not stay in the store it is against P&P's.

 Petco will take back any animals that are not wanted. I just got 2 males and it said right on the sheet that you can return the animal if you no longer want it or can no longer care for it.

This doesn't mean they will give them to rat lovers, petco sells feeders and they are not going to care about where they go in less there rat lover employee who is willing to take on the job.

[jesirose]

If you buy an animal at either store, and it gives birth within 3 weeks, you know it got pregnant there or before. They can't argue with that despite the 14 day policy. I'd go tell them and get my money back at least.

[Rythlas]

I'm not too worried about my money, and if I take them back they could be eaten.  I don't plan on taking any of them to a store any time soon.