Reputable breeders won't have rats readily available. This is because breeders breed for themselves and the fancy. It is a hobby, not a business. Breeders do not breed a huge amount of rats to fulfil the demand. Any 'surplus' kits are homed to pet homes after the breeders have chosen their keepers to further their lines. This means that the waiting list for rats can be anywhere from 6-12 months. This may seem like a long time, however the breeding process takes time. It is very unlikely that you will come across a breeder who is able to home you kits instantly.
'So if I can't get rats from a breeder straight away when I want them, I'll just go to a pet shop'
If you aren't prepared to wait for well bred rats with health and temperament in mind, then go to a pet shop. However, there are a lot of things to consider, which a lot of people don't think about with pet shops.
You will not find a reputable breeder who supplies rats for a pet shop to sell. This is because a pet shop would require a constant supply of rats, and ethical breeders do not breed for profit. Rats from pet shops are bred in rodent mills. This is basically mass production of rats - they are kept in poor environments which do not meet their needs. Does are over bred. Health, temperament and genetics are not considered at all.
I consider getting rats from a pet shop like a lottery. You could win, you could lose. You could end up with lovely healthy rats with fantastic temperaments, or you could end up with rats that have health problems and/or aggressive/nervous temperaments. If you are prepared to spend hundreds on health issues, or live with aggressive or nervous rats you cannot handle and get the most out of, then pet shops may be worth the risk.
Breeders love and care about their rats. They are kept in environments which cater for all of their natural behaviours, handled regularly, fed a nutritionally complete, enriching diet, and are bred with their health and temperament being the biggest considerations. Breeder rats have wonderful temperaments, and whilst there is no such thing as a problem free line, health issues are drastically reduced.
'So if I can't get rats from a breeder straight away when I want them, I'll just go to a pet shop'
If you aren't prepared to wait for well bred rats with health and temperament in mind, then go to a pet shop. However, there are a lot of things to consider, which a lot of people don't think about with pet shops.
You will not find a reputable breeder who supplies rats for a pet shop to sell. This is because a pet shop would require a constant supply of rats, and ethical breeders do not breed for profit. Rats from pet shops are bred in rodent mills. This is basically mass production of rats - they are kept in poor environments which do not meet their needs. Does are over bred. Health, temperament and genetics are not considered at all.
I consider getting rats from a pet shop like a lottery. You could win, you could lose. You could end up with lovely healthy rats with fantastic temperaments, or you could end up with rats that have health problems and/or aggressive/nervous temperaments. If you are prepared to spend hundreds on health issues, or live with aggressive or nervous rats you cannot handle and get the most out of, then pet shops may be worth the risk.
Breeders love and care about their rats. They are kept in environments which cater for all of their natural behaviours, handled regularly, fed a nutritionally complete, enriching diet, and are bred with their health and temperament being the biggest considerations. Breeder rats have wonderful temperaments, and whilst there is no such thing as a problem free line, health issues are drastically reduced.