Refined Rats by Rachel

16/12/2024

I haven't checked my messages or my Gmail just yet, but life is starting to wind down a bit!

I had some medical issues + medical bills. Then had to take on 3 jobs to keep going.

I just want to say, I'm now also working in Sun Prairie. So, I can serve Madison folks more easily!

I've also started working out the logistics of spaying my girls, while offering a reasonable price.

I'm excited to get back to the rattery regularly 🥰

*Enjoy a photo of Errol in his "office" at work with me. He's my paper shredder 😂

09/07/2024

I want to pop in an apologize for the long break!

I ended up taking on another job in addition to my vet med job which has quickly resulted in ZERO spare time for Facebook, the applications, and emails. Let alone sleep for more than 4 or 5 hours at a time 🥴

I was hoping for some adoptables to be ready by the end of June and now, but my rats have had other ideas.

My first dwarf X dwarf pairing between my favorites ended up in the first litter being entirely stillborn. To say that I was heartbroken was accurate.
Then when I was able to pair again she only gave me 3 girls. Who will all stay to help the dwarf line.
This is part of why dwarf cost more. They're difficult to breed and have a much shorter breeding window than standard rats.

The others just didn't feel like making babies in the time frames that I wanted. A couple of them ended up having only 3 & 4 each. Which, normally 7 is one standard rats litter size, easily.
This is what happens when you work with living things though.

I'll have a better update hopefully within the week.

Until then, here's a couple photos of Bruce hanging out with me at the clinic a little while back! It's been too busy for him to join me lately. He likes to be able to knock out on my shoulder (or chill with office manager Stacey 😆❤️)

12/05/2024

The last boys were picked up today!
Happy trails, friends 😊

*I forgot to post the last pair that went home before these guys tho.

12/05/2024

Happy mother's day 🥰

28/04/2024

These boys left yesterday to get spoiled by a fellow rat lover! Mink down under velveteen and Ivory dumbo pair.

Have fun!

27/04/2024

Happy world veterinary day!

To every Dr out there giving owners all the information about their pets health or health conditions, working through your lunches and past closing time, helping families welcome new members and say goodbye to old ones (often, that you've cared for, for years).

YOU are some amazing people and I am in awe of what many Drs go through to get to where they are now.

From everyone here at Refined Rats, THANK YOU ❤️❤️❤️

Happy World Veterinary Day to all the incredible vets out there! ✨ ⚕️ Your dedication to animal health and well-being is truly inspiring. This year's theme, "Veterinarians are essential health workers," perfectly highlights the vital role you play not just in pet care, but in public health and food safety. A special thank you to our AAHA-accredited veterinarians who go above and beyond to achieve excellence!

22/04/2024

I also have some items you can request upon adoption.

I have take-home boxes at no charge.
You can ask for bedding (Aspen or pine) as well as leashes for a small amount.

You still get the information folder and goodie bag 🙂

21/04/2024

*Edit 4/22/24: Everyone is currently pending!

You guys are amazing, thank you everyone for your interest in these babies.
I'll have more soon, and RiffRaff Rex will have ivory coming as well!
______________________________

Boys and their info!

I've really enjoyed hanging out with this bunch.
They popcorn all over each other when I talk to their cage 😊

Please speak to me for more details

10/04/2024

I love sharing new rat pictures with you guys, these boys were all painting yesterday!

Before anyone gets released, they are subject to multiple temperament 'tests' like, behavior during cleaning time, do they react poorly to a vacuum? Do they tolerate photos and being handled? Do they allow me cleaning paint off of them? Do they allow me to listen to heart/lung sounds with my stethoscope and weigh them?

These are all technically small tests. I look for skittish behavior and if they recover quickly from it.

Just hanging out with these handsome guys in the meantime.
To be determined who will be left for adoption.
Keep an eye on the available rats album to see who is left. 👀 😁

07/04/2024

I have to compliment everyone filling out the application lately and overwhelmingly agreeing that rats are social creatures.

When I started out years ago, that was something that seemed to be a lie or a myth. Rats didn't need company.
But, wrong!

I was just constantly begged to release a single rat and they swore to give it attention as much as possible. I lost a lot of 'interested people' over not bending on the buddy system. This just means I wasn't the right breeder for them and hopefully that gave them time to learn more on the subject, and to being open to the science behind it.

I've seen first hand how they decline mentally when left alone or unable to be with other rats due to hormonal aggression.

So, THANK YOU everyone for learning and being kind to our tiny friends.
Because as much as we think we can give them, we simply cannot replace rat to rat company and communication.

*This is not directed towards anyone with geriatric rats, who are the last of a mischief. If you are taking a break from rat keeping, this will likely happen just because of age.

06/04/2024

Something new that will be added to the rat pack that comes with the bubs!

I was trying to find a good way to write down things like the dates of topical parasite treatment and the deworming dates. Some people liked knowing the neuter date.
You may have seen them written on the back of Birth certificates or somewhere on the folder.
This will give some good tips, leave space for tracking future medical care, and even lists nearly 50 vets that see rats in WI.

If you've adopted previously and would like one mailed for your rats from me, please message and I'll work on it.
Now I just need more ink for my printer!

04/04/2024

It's world rat day!
Have you hugged your rat today? 🥰🐭

03/04/2024

Magical babes

02/04/2024

These guys got a quick check up today during some cleaning. Here's snippets of some of the boys that I'll have. Just patiently waiting for them to be fit for new adventures 😊

If they aren't what wait list people have been waiting for, they'll be put up in the "available album" & posted in the next few weeks 🐭


*I will not discuss inquiries about them at this time. Not until they have been officially posted as ready, as I cannot guarantee availability this early in the selection. Thank you for your patience

30/03/2024

Negative f***l from the rattery samples 👌

This is to ensure that I, to the best of my knowledge, don't send out rats carrying zoonotic parasites.

Years ago I had started with a mixture of rats from various breeders and pet shop rats.
There were some samples sent out in the early days and surprised was an understatement when I saw the results.
They not only had a type of dwarf tapeworm (the most common form of Tapes found in people!), but also had coccidia, and a few had Toxoplasma (that one is not good) .

Ever since then, the rattery gets dewormed and topical Revolution treatments every 6 mo.
The neutered boys are treated shortly before leaving my care. So they'll be 'clean' coming from me to you 😁

Hopefully one day we can afford to full panel test for rat virals/pathogens.

25/03/2024

I've been getting a lot of messages asking about availability, but right now y'all adopted everyone! 🥰

This album always stays current and Facebook automatically makes a post about any new photos added.
So if you're an approved adopter, just keep checking periodically! I will have more in the next 4-10 weeks that will be likely healed and ready to go home. They will all be males.

Please fill out an application (pinned at top of page) if you are interested in any of my fuzzy bubs. Thank you