I ask this because I read a post where the breeder had her rats available for adoption and I take offense to this. As far as I'm concerned, they are FOR SALE unless they are rescues of some sort. What is your opinion? And if you disagree with me, don't flame me but feel free to try and educate me. I'm always willing to learn!  

I prefer "Available for Adoption."  "For Sale" implies that the breeder is selling something for profit, or that animals are merely objects to be bought and sold.

I agree with Caitlin.  For some reason, it seems more humane to say up for adoption... it's like you're adopting them into your family, not buying them as feeder rats.  sorry, that's just what i think of when i think of rats for sale.

really, though, i think the two terms are pretty much interchangeable.

I prefer when breeders say that babies are for adoption, because to me, that means that the breeder still recognizes that they are her kittens, she bred them, and if necessary she can re-assume care for them in the event of an emergency. I dunno, it just makes me feel better. You can't sell something that isn't a possession, but you can adopt it to care for it. It would be like a mother saying that she owned her children.

actually, many 'bred' rats all have a set price too.  if they raised the price for a certain color or type, they would be raising the price for their preference.  for instance (if there were different prices for different colors or types) the black-hooded or albino would probably the least expensive, which would be great for me because i think they are beautiful, while not-so-great for people who *prefer* blues or lilacs... it is a matter of opinion.

~jen~

Originally, I chose for sale, but then I started thinking, and I've kinda changed my mind.

One one hand, for sale makes sense, since they are being raised essentially to be rehomed.

On the other hand, I find referring to a sentient creature as "for sale" is demeaning.  It implies that the animal is nothing more than a posession to be bought and exchanged on a whim, which is NOT something I want animals being associated with.  Make sense?

I advertise babies for sale, but whenever I talk to a prospective owner I always use the term adoption.  they are adopting one of my much loved babies into their home, and even though I am selling them, it does not  mean I do not care.  I try to use 'adoption' as much as possible

I admit, "for sale" makes me feel like I'm buying some "thing" and not a live being who'll be a part of my family. I guess I can understand the technicality of difference between "for sale" and "for adoption" since breeder rats are bred with the intention of being sold, but yet I'd feel a little uncomfortable if a breeder used the term "for sale" too much. It just seems so impersonal you know?

One thing that irks me though, and I'm not trying to start a debate over whether it is right or wrong, but I can't *stand* when people say they are adopting or rescuing a pet store animal.  That is a purchase, no doubt about it, regardless of how much I hate terming an animal as for sale.  That's my opinion anyway...

But, back to the question at hand, I do definetly see a difference between a rescue animal and a breeder animal, and how adoption does mean two different things in those situations.  In one, the animal was bred to be rehomed.  In the other, the animal is without a loving home, and was abandoned or taken to a shelter to be cared for.

Here's my point of view:

If they are just giving the babies away to anyone who throws the money at them, they're selling.

If they are researching the homes and asking questions of the person taking the rat (will it be for breeding, what is your set up like, what do you intend to feed it, etc.) it's an adoption.

As far as pet stores are concerned. If you know with at least a ninety percent certainty that you are saving a creatures life, or more than one creatures, and went in the store originally with no intentions to buy, it's a rescue.

If you went in and just saw something in realitively good shape and decently houed and justified it as 'well, it could be sold as a feeder', it's a sale.

For example, I consider Nellie a flat up rescue. I have no doubts either she or the eepers would have died if I hadn't taken her. However if I had bought the boys in the tank as well...who were in good healthy shape and would probably go to pet homes...I would have considered them sales, even though there was a vague off chance they might eventually be sold as feeders.

Does that make sense?

To me, adoption means being loved and cared for as part of the family.  That is what any breeder OR rescuer should strive for.

For sale means just a thing, like food or furniture.  Unfortunately, many people who breed (read: as opposed to reputable breeders) just put their rats up for sale and don't care where they go as long as they put $5 in their pocket.  I rarely see ads in the paper that say 'for adoption'.  It just makes me sad when I see that wording.

I agree.

I agree completely.