It hit me last night, that I've been breeding and caring for rats for 6 YEARS. Throughout the years, I've learned quite a few things -- not just about rat genetics, but about pet adopters, rat shows, the rat community, the truths and lies of internet research. I've learned the good, the bad, the ugly, the ridiculous, the #facepalm. Randomly, lots of horse-lovers are also rat lovers. The local tack and feed stores sell rat food and bedding, and are usually your best bet for high quality, large quantity supplies -- but not recommended for pet owners that only have 2-5 pets at a time. Oh, and also, be sure to freeze that bedding from the tack and feed store because sometimes... you get more critters than you wanted!
But of all the random things I've learned over the last 6 years, the most important are these: 1. Do the best you can, with the resources you have available. And when you learn, do better. 2. Cautiously build a community, and try not to burn bridges. 3. Love the animals, AND the people. 4. Ask for help. 5. Be helpful without agenda. 6. Actively learn. and most importantly... while I encourage respectful dialogue, sometimes it's best to just not engage because, as Norman Bates said it best...
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AuthorAFRMA member. Mother to 3 hoo-mans and caretaker of many, many cuddly rat "kittens" (and their sweet and curious elders). ArchivesCategories |