FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you require an adoption contract? Yes we do. We also require you to fill out an application initially. There are a lot of questions...we realize that, but it is important that we find the best homes we can for our little ones! If you are uncertain of anything or are new to rats, don't be discouraged. We are here to help as well! If you have adopted from Cove in the past, you will not be required to fill out the application again, unless any of your circumstances have changed. The contract will be required, however, for each and every rat you adopt.

How much is the adoption fee? All rats have set adoption fees regardless of color and type. The fee for one rat is $25. For a pair, the fee per rat is $20. For those that have not adopted from me in the past, I do require a nonrefundable $5 deposit per rat, which will be applied to the total adoption fee. You are, however, under no obligation, and if something happens that you cannot or do not want to adopt, the $5 will may be returned, depending on the circumstances. Deposits can be mailed (email me for the address) or you can send your deposit via paypal to sarah@coverattery.com.

Can I adopt just one rat? We prefer that rats are adopted in same sex pairs only. However, if you can establish that you have existing rats of the same sex already and are comfortable with introductions, a single rat adoption is an option.

Can I adopt a male and a female? We will not adopt out opposite sex pairs unless we are 100% certain that your current practices will not allow an accidental pregnancy to occur. In most 'pet only' adoptions, same sexes will be the only option for pairs unless certain criteria are met.

When are reservations on specific rat confirmed? I, as breeder, get first pick to ensure that continuation and betterment of the line I'm breeding. After I have chosen which babies I will be keeping (usually by the time they are 3 weeks old), the litter is open to reservation. It is based on a first come, first serve basis and I will go down my waiting list in order. When I have deposit and confirmation on choice, the reservation will be official and the adopter's name will appear next to that rat on the website.

When can I take my rat(s) home? Babies are ready for their new homes at 6 weeks old at the earliest. There will be no exceptions made. We will also hold babies (on deposit) until they are 8-12 weeks old if necessary. It is preferred that any rats leaving Cove, do so before they are 12 weeks old, though, as it is less stressful on them.

Are your rats registered? All the rats at Cove, whether they are pets or bred, are registered with the North American Rat Registry (NARR). Most likely, the rat(s) you are adopting will be registered already, however I may wait until you have chosen a name to complete registration. Registration is free to you and will be taken care of by Cove Rattery. It is your responsibility, as part of the adoption agreement, to send in medical updates as needed to Cove Rattery or NARR on your new rats, though.

Are your rats pedigreed? Yes. A pedigree will provided with the adoption at your request.

Do you offer adoptions for breeding? Adoptions for breedable rats are rare. If you are interested in adopting a rat for breeding purposes, I will have several questions for you first. This is for the safety and well-being of the animals and future generations and does not reflect on you personally. Those wanting to breed a Cove rat must be members of NARR. This is a personal preference, and is not meant to disclude particular breeders. Rather, it is hopefully an encouragement for a breeder to join these organizations. You must also fill out the breeder's application in addition to the standard application. Additional questions and information may also need to be gathered, as well.

Besides the rat(s), what else does the adoption include? When adopting a new rat, the most important thing is a smooth transition for the rat. Therefore, the adoption will also include a bag of food (homemade, organic mix) and the recipe. I would also be happy to make you a hammock for an additional small fee. If you are adopting multiple rats, I will include a hammock at no extra charge if you request it. As stated above, a pedigree is also available. You will also be signing an adoption contract and a copy will come home with you. Some additional articles, literature, or site recommendations may be included if it is something we have discussed, as well. The adoption from Cove will also include my support. If ever you have questions or concerns, I will always be willing to help.

Do I need to quarantine my new rat(s)? Absolutely! Quarantine is a good practice no matter where you get your rats from. This is for the safety of the new rat(s) as well as those already in your home. We require a minimum of 3 weeks for quarantine based on the standards of the Society of Michigan Rat Fanciers and the RSA. This must be agreed prior to adoption and will be on the adoption contract.

Can I visit the rattery? For the health and protection of our colony, if you already have rats at home, we will meet you elsewhere for adoptions. If you are concerned with our rat's living standards, feel free to visit our cage pages to see their luxury accommodations, or request some referrals, which I will gladly send you. Having said this, we are NOT a closed rattery. This is due to our strong feeling that if you are not allowed to see your rats or their 'family' ahead of time, you will not have the full opportunity to understand what Cove Rattery is all about. For that reason, we are willing to work with individuals that would like to come to the rattery. Contact me for details.

Will you ship rats? No, we do not ship. However, we have some wonderful people all over the state that will help transport, and we are willing ourselves to travel some distance to meet with those serious about adopting. There is usually a fee associated with this to cover gas, but nothing unreasonable.

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