FAQs

Do you always have kittens available?

No. I am one person, not a business or a petshop.  My rats are like family and their health and well being absolutely comes first, as such I never breed for demand.  Occasionally I have surplus kittens who I won’t be keeping, so I hold a waiting ‘pool’ . The pool is a group of people who are being kept in mind for future litters, based on their Application form. their habitat picture, and if we have met (via zoom or in person) and got on. My does are never over bred, so this means I only have kittens a few times a year. If you make the pool expect a wait of at least 3-12 months. The waiting pool is an option for both of us, not a contract between.  I advise also joining other reputable breeders waiting list and be prepared to travel for the right kittens-it will be worth it!

How many kittens can I have?

I send out kittens in pairs or trios only, please do not ask me for a single kitten. If you already have rats then I am happy to home out a pair. A pair is appropriate because even if you have other rats, kittens still require same age play mates. However if you do not have any rats, I will only home kittens in a trio. The reason for this is because I find the group dynamics are much better with at least three rats as they can form a healthier variety of relationships. It also means you don't run the possibility of having a lone rat if one suddenly dies

How often do you breed and how many do you keep from each litter?

This is often up to the rats and if they want and can have babies. I do not breed from my does more than twice and currently I only have the one line. I aim to keep two or three from each litter, dependent on how many rats I already have and the form of the kittens.

What varieties do you breed?

I am currently breeding Golden Siamese. Those wonderful dirty snouts are too adorable!

How much are your kittens?

My kittens are 60 a pair or 80 a trio. They are all the same price regardless of variety/ear placement. I do not make a profit from my rats, the sale fee gets put back into a Ratty-bank and goes towards vet fees, food, habitat and enrichment for the rest of the gang.

Can I choose my kittens?

No. After picking the kittens who I am going to keep, if there are others available for pet homes then I will match the kittens to the right homes. This is because I will know the kitten personalities well by then and I will match them with the home that best suits them.

How do I apply to be on your waiting ‘pool’?

Firstly Please fill in an online form on the application page. Secondly please then send an email to ricochetrats@gmail.com with the picture of the habitat you have to keep rats in and the dimensions. Please title this email with your surname and “my rats habitat”. If you have any problems, or wish to discuss things further, you can contact me via my instagram page: Ricochetrats or by email at richochetrats@gmail.com. A lot of breeders are very busy with their animals and reply to their emails monthly. I do ask that you remain patient as I have a full time job and this is my evening and weekend hobby, so ratty admin does have to sometimes wait a good few weeks! Whether your application is successful or unsuccessful this time, I will let you know, however my decision will be final.

Why do you use an application form?

Application forms are common practice for the majority of reputable breeders. The form has two goals; One is to assess any areas you may need additional support. The second goal is to help me to ensure that my rats are going to homes that really care, and my kittens end up with people that are prepared to research how to care the best for them. I do not need the reply’s to be perfect, however if the individual has been accepting of my questions and advice then I am happy to meet with them. If you cannot take 40 minutes to answer some questions, then the ongoing commitment of keeping rats for 2-3 years isn’t for you.

Why shouldn't I just go to a pet shop?

Pet shops sell rats in order to get people to impulse buy, in the hope that they will spend money on more expensive purchases. The rats origins, health and behaviour are not their number one priority, unlike it is with good breeders. You may end up with a rat that hates to be handled and is constantly unwell. The health and temperament of my rats is of upmost importance to me and through six monthly updates from pet homes I am constantly learning how I can to improve on this. I also offer lifetime support and will take back any of the rats I bred if circumstances change.