Dumbo Rats!!!!!

[starrylight99]

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

I have been reading some journals and it seems likely. We all know the fancy rat was domestocated by the victorians yada yada..i believe when animal testing happened more frequently than today that some lab rats were taken as pets and then the fancy continued. It was certainly the impression i got from breeders i hve spoken to. Why most are so prone to colds,tumours etc.certainly makes sense...someone correct me if i am wrong.

Definitely makes sense. I can't see how anybody would want a mutagenic knock-out rat as a pet or breeder stock though. They are bred to have so many problems. And in the US at least, its illegal to take a lab animal home. Though people do it anyways.

[Tish36]

MangoandMimi, Amethyst wasn't getting at you, she was giving you great advice and you chose to ignore what she said, which took her time to write, and she did it to help you.

Seeing as she has experience with rats, all she was doing was trying to help you, and you decided to snap at her when you ignored the advice she had spent time sharing with you.

You seem to snap at everyone when someone presents an opinion that you don't like be it about Dumbo rats or about your litter. The fact is at the end of the day, this is a forum and people are clearly going to have different opinions and want to share their experiences with you as it is an ADVICE forum predominantly about hamsters, and people come to help you and not just to 'stop' you from doing certain things.

You seriously need to get out of the mindset that everyone is out to get you, and realise that people are trying to help you. Just because someone gives you advice that you doesn't favour your point of view, doesn't mean that you should get angry and start insulting the whole forum.

Mods: Sorry if this is out of line, but I think I speak for a few people when saying this.

[Amethyst_ice]

Originally Posted by starrylight99

Definitely makes sense. I can't see how anybody would want a mutagenic knock-out rat as a pet or breeder stock though. They are bred to have so many problems. And in the US at least, its illegal to take a lab animal home. Though people do it anyways.

I still have a lot more reading to do but i dont think it was a recent thing. There seems to be a huge gap in my reading as well! It also started to detract to norway rats or something. But im guessing maybe round the 60's perhaps when genetics of animals was not really researched as much? The breeders i talk to (on my private forum) tell me that the fancy in general has been working for year trying to "clear" the lines so to speak.

Tish- thanks. I have nothing against getting dumbos as pets, all i was tryign to do from the start was to advise against rescues and that breeder. I can ask on my forum mango if anyone has had personal dealings with them if you like?

Right all im back to bed again, 20 hours of sleep today.bf being superstar cleaning hams out and looking after me.

i want to snuggle my ratties :'( xxxx

[mangoandmimi]

If u look bk at posts i didnt actually ignore what she said.

[Womblehands]

* sarah cuddles everyone to stop the fighting awwwwww!*

I don't know anything about Rats only that they can make awesome Ratatouille as the disney films tells me but i do agree with the vet fund.. My last syrian Bo cost £ 80 from one vet visit, and i can imagine rats cost more...

[kazmac]

Oh dear, it upsets me to read all of this. I've not been on the forum for ages and one of the first things I've read is this.
There's some good advice here and it's getting lost amongst the arguing that's now taken over the thread.
However I do feel that some of the things that mangoandmimi has said are also being overlooked.
This thread should be offering advice and constructive criticism. Not destructive. But things should also not be getting taken personally either.

mangoandmimi, I have several years of experience in keeping rats and now own a rattery. I am also an active member of the Scottish Rat Club.
If you want to have a 'safe' discussion about rats, where best to get them from, etc, please send me a PM and I can give you some advice and direction if you wish. It's then up to you what you do with that advice.

I agree that the keeping of rats is a serious commitment and a lot of thought and care needs to be taken in choosing and getting them, but they are a pleasure to have if you choose wisely.
It's also not a good idea for someone inexperienced to take on rescue rats, usually, but if they're rehomed from a very young age it's not as bad as getting them once they're older. I also have rescues here, but they were homed with me from the age of 4 weeks. NOTE: this is actually too young to rehome rat kittens, but they came via a breeder who knew my experience of keeping rats (and they were fully weaned). But as a general rule I would advise against it as first time owners. But I would also advise to choose your 'rattery' or 'breeder' very carefully. Some are unscrupulous.

If you want to PM me, please feel free and I'll see if I can help with advice and answer any questions you might have.
I can also see if I know of any breeders in your area - I do know a few north and south of the border!

Kx

[Amethyst_ice]

i can fully vouch for how great kaz is with ratties, she has helped me through my boys x