Can't find a rat in N.Y.- HELP !?

[underther]

   Hi, I need some help...  I got my first rat from a local pet store.  He was the only brown one there.  He died a wile ago, and now that I'm looking to get another one (or two) all I see in pet stores are white, red- eyed rats.  I've looked online, but I still can't find anything nearby.  Can anyone help me? Does anyone know anybody who is (or will be) selling babies in N.Y. ?  I live in Brooklyn, but Manhattan or something is just fine - I can't travel too far because I don't drive.

  Please help !
  Thanks

[kim]

have you looked at rescue organizations?

(hint hint -- check out my signature)

[ratqueen]

If you'd like a rat from Kim I may be able to help with transport if the rat from MA/NH goes through for Babyblue.

[kim]

i have a transport going down through NY to NJ and MD  this coming weekend - but no other rats besides mine can be put on at this point for quarantining issues But thanks ratqueen - we may need your help later. Besides, at this point, all our babies are PEW which the poster doenst want - but we do hav e a new litter available in 4 weeks....

[BabyBlue]

You didn't specify if you were looking for males or females. I have 1 agouti boy available, but I usually like to make sure the rats would have a companion.

[underther]

  Thanks for replying. I had a boy before, I heard they are less aggressive then females… so I guess I'm looking for a boy. Kim says there’ll be a new litter in 4 weeks, if there’s really a way to get them to me, I’m definitely interested. The only concern I have is what if I get a rat with an attitude, one that bites… In a store I could somewhat make sure it’s friendly, but how does that work if the rat’s transported? Also, I did want to get 2 this time, I just don’t know how two rats usually get along. I don’t want babies either, so they would have to be the same sex… or can you castrate a rat? Well, if this is really possible, then please get back to me on the upcoming babies and details on how transporting them works. Thanks a lot.

[kim]

hey --

email the ark to iron out details - kimsarkadopt@yahoo.com

yes, we require you adopt two rats of the same sex -- you can be put on the list for the newest litter we will have available. they will not be old enought o castrate anytime soon, so same sex pairs for now. they are well socialized, and a biter rat is a large reflection of your socialization and time you spend with them - even the nicest rat can learn to bite if not taken care of and abused.

i wouldnt say boys are less aggressive at all - they tend to be a little quieter, but they also tend to have more problems living with other males. if you are concerned about rats getting along with each other, getting littermates should help of the same age, as they will have grown up with each other. at 6 months or so when males go through "puberty" though, they can start to fight with each other - females usually dont experience this. if you get from this litter, a 5 week old rat wont "have an attitude" and wont bite unless youre doing something wrong

as for transport, since you are in NYC_area, its easy to get rats to you - i am just over half an hour from the city, and the ark organizes transports all the time (we do it, not you -- we just need your help to get the rat!) - but since you are close to me, its probably more like door to door service (though usually i have NYC people come out to NJ to pick up their rat). I will get them out of MA though to either NYC or NJ.

so, if you are interested -- email the ark at the above email address (and tell tracy you are from RFC). we will put you on the "waiting list" for the newest litter we have, we dont know sexes yet (though i should get that this weekend).

[BabyBlue]

I would just add that when you adopt from a reputable rescuer (which Kim is) you can be assured that all the rats would be well cared for and socialized to the best of the rescuer's ability when they're adopted out. Of course some rescues come in older and with certain problems or whatnot, but you'll be well aware of any and all "problems" beforehand and I wouldn't worry about getting any "surprises".

As a previous adopter of Kim's Ark myself, I would say my Midori is the sweetest rat ever and I was VERY happy with her the moment I got her