I run my own rat rescue and have been rat-sitting for local rat-owners in the area for over 5 years. References available.
1. What your schedule is like and when you are available?: My schedule is very open, and there are two of us to help care for them.
2. How far you are willing to drive to provide care and how often you can make the drive? I would prefer to bring them to me instead of making a daily trip to the owners home. I am willing to do pickup/deliver within 3 hours of Houston with gas reimbursement. We have a separate house 1/2 hour from our main residence where boarding animals are kept. It's climate controlled and has a play area. Quarantine will not be an issue. We are willing to make a daily trip within an hour of our home.
3. How much time can you commit per day? Can you spend enough time to allow for free-ranging? Several hours. Yes.
4. What is your experience with rat medical care? Would you be comfortable caring for a rat that has special needs? Absolutely. We have cared for some of the worst medical cases I have ever even heard of. We are experienced with respiratory problems, congestive heart failure, parasites, megacolon, tumors, stroke, SubQ fluids, oral medications, wound care, etc. etc. We have an E-Vet and two other Exotics vets within a five minute drive.
5. In addition to rats, what other animals do you have experience in caring for?
Haha. Rats, wild rats, mice, wild mice, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, prairie dogs, rabbits, cavies, degus, jirds, spiny mice, lemmings, short-tailed possums, hedgehogs, roo rats, finches, canaries, parakeets, lovebirds, conures, quakers, parrotlets, parrots, macaws, cockatoos, snakes, lizards, turtles/tortoises, geckos, tarantulas, scorpions, cockroaches, millipedes, fresh and saltwater fish, ducks, chickens, horses, dogs, and cats. No 'hot' snakes or illegal wildlife.
And I probably forgot a few...