Objective

My  goal is to educate the public about what great creatures ratties really are, and get some good PR done in order to promote responsible pet ownership. The rats standing at stud have been aquired via  a number of sources. After deciding to become an official rattery, I wanted to outsource reliable bloodlines and get the inside knowledge on breeding, colours and markings.,  I contacted every breeder that I could find, including registered ratteries, private breeders and "friends of friends." 

Thanks to the friendship and guidance of Tracey York  of bRATpack & RATmanDU (Qld), and Lisa Farrell of Bruce Rattery Melton,  I have managed to build a quality rattery of good foundation stock. My breeding plan involves the pairing of good temperamented, healthy rats. The colours are, of course, taken into consideration, especially when breeding specialty patterns. I have, in the past, come across one or two lovely coloured rats, adopted from a Melbourne breeder, who matured to show very bad temperament and some showed health problems that could be passed on. These have been resigned to the 'pet only' category, meaning that I will never breed from them.

I have found through research that the babies not only inherit behavioural traits, but also mimic their parent's response to human interaction. There really isn't any point in sacrificing temperament for colour or type. No matter how beautiful a pet may be, if he/she is aggressive or prone to illness...neither pet nor owner will enjoy the relationship (or life) to its full potential. Thus, only the best will be selected to breed from and raise confident, healthy, happy ratties! I am against  pet stores selling  rats when they are unwilling to separate the sexes, do not give regard to the rat's destination (ie selling as snake food) and keep the poor ratties  in cramped, stressful conditions.

When I drop into a pet store who keep rats, I always try my best to discuss rat care  requirements with the staff as sometimes it's a case of unintentional mistreatment (such as incorrect bedding etc). Long term, I believe official intervention is more likely to succeed in implementing changes. It IS against the law for anyone to sell live animals as food for another, including our precious ratties. There is a program in the making for dealing with this situation, and I look forward to seeing some lawful changes.

History

I purchased my first pet rat, Benjamin, when I was living in Perth, Western Australia. I was so curious about these little creatures, as I kept hearing from people what wonderful pets they make. After meeting a lovely ratty owned by the girl in my local pet store, I continued coming in and playing with him until she suceeded into talking me into rat-ownership myself. So I took home my first rat, an agouti hooded male I named Benji, and immediatly fell in love with him. I soon got him a friend, Squeakers, and  fell in love with rats forever.

A couple of years later I moved to Ballarat, Victoria, for study, and I once again found myself owned by ratties. My love of them started my rattery as BallaRATs R Us.

As BallaRATS R Us, I had been breeding only periodically, when I felt that there were enough homes available and waiting for the babies. At that time, it meant two litter a year. Originally  I had four females: (Jasmine, Checker, Tora and Saffron) and four males (Shyboy, Grease, Cajun and Arrow). After I had been owned by my crew for about a year, I met another person who, at the time, appeared to share the same interest in rats. We decided to join up and register the name 'BallaRATS', which we felt was shorter, and catchier.

The plan was to share the joys of rat-ownership, as well as the growing responsibility of maintaining a  rattery.  I had  worked hard to establish a small animal rescue and rehoming project, as I have year of experience working in the field.

Sadly,  my rattery co-manager's interest was superficial, as she was only interested in the ribbons that could be won at shows, but after hours did not care for her rats. I ended up feeding and cleaning their cages as I couldn't bear to see their misery. Since I will never compromise on animal's health and welfare, I  terminated the partnership.

However, despite previous setbacks, my love of rats continues. I am still as dedicated as ever to rats and getting the good rat-word out there! As I wish to start afresh, I decided to re-launch my rattery as AristocRATS...as they are kings and queens of my heart.  I will continue to love and adore my precious ratties and promote them as the fun and adorable companions that they are.

Sales of Ratties

When I home my ratties, I take the time to get to know the people. It is always so good to meet rat loving people and talk about rat hijinks and it is apparent that the rats bring joy to owners from all walks of life. For first time rat owners, I discuss the rats needs and offer ongoing support for the lifetime of the rat. Should the circumstances change and the owner be unable to keep their rat/s, I accept my ratties back or arrange rehoming after assessment.

A condition of sale: all new owners sign a statement that the babies they are purchasing are not to be used as feeders or breeders for that purpose. In this contract is also a clause concerning indiviuals and breeders  who are blacklisted from owning any animals from this rattery due to violations of animal welfare and bad breeding practices.