Adoption Application

You won't be automatically rejected based on your answers, it's about knowing what things we need to ask you about when we chat, so we can find solutions for potential barriers to adoption.

We offer companion fostering for people who would like to stop owning rats but don't want their last rat to spent their final days alone. If fostering a pair of elderly rats until your rat passes away would be a better option, contact our foster coordinator instead at rachiesratirementhome.com/fostering

Our process is to have a conversation and work together to identify and help remove any barriers to rats having a great life, so an honest answer here just helps us find a starting point.

Kids are totally fine, but no matter how reliable and responsible, parents need to have an active role in learning and caring so they can pick up on things like illness that kids can't be expected to be relied on for. This also helps us choose the right, and least reactive, rats (better safe than assuming kids or rats will behave perfectly) and chat to new/curious owners about whether rats will be what they imagine.

Having other pets is totally fine so long as we know how to keep everyone safe. Rats may kill free roaming birds, mice and guinea pigs, eat pet insects and yeet the floating plants out of your fish tank. High prey drive dogs and cats may be a good reason to choose specific cage styles, and snakes may cause terror in some rats due to their smell if housed nearby or recently held.

This includes cigarettes, cigars, vaping/e-cigarettes and drugs, incense, aerosol scent or pest control dispensers, scented candles and essential oils, including diffusers. You would be fine to use another room with good ventilation and the door to the rat area closed!

This is a must, wherever you go. If you're ever in the situation where you're down to one rat and aren't getting more, contact us and we'll sort something out, like a foster buddy.

Boys? Girls? How many? First time pets? Cuddly? Excited to teach tricks? Are you wanting to bring them to rat shows? Do you have any worries about anything, such as bad experiences in the past, or a complex rat social structure at home that needs the right fit and intros? Whatever is on your mind, let me know what brings you here and what you need. If there is a specific rat you are interested in, let us know!

This isn't a test, if you're not sure and you need some help deciding, that's totally okay. The easiest decent food to get is Vetafarm Rodent Origins, keeping it in the cage 24/7, with some daily fresh veg, but there are plenty of good alternatives and some crap ones.

Respiratory infections, tumours, and hormonal aggression are three of the most common medical issues. Rats more often than not need medical assistance passing when end of life comes, as quality of life may be gone weeks before death would occur on its own. It is important to have a good idea of where to look for advice and information, and know which vets near you will see rats and with what experience.

By submitting this application I acknowledge that I have read and agree to all of the following: I am seeking to adopt rats from Rachie’s Ratirement Home, and take full responsibility for their welfare, including medical care if needed. I am over 18. I will not adopt until I have discussed the health, temperament and condition of the animals with a volunteer of Rachie’s Ratirement Home and I am happy with all aspects. I am aware that Rachie’s Ratirement Home is happy to take the rats back should any problems arise, including biting with intent to harm, which I understand is not an expected behaviour, and I will contact them if any troubling events or behaviours occur that I need help with. I agree to maintain the standard of care that has been outlined by the rescue. In the event that I can or will no longer care for my rats at the agreed standard or adhere to the agreements outlined in this form, I agree to seek support from the Rachie’s Ratirement Home to either meet their care needs, rehome them directly, or return them to the rescue. I agree to never use these rats for breeding purposes and will do everything in my power to prevent pregnancy. The rats will not be used for food. I recognise that these are rescue rats with an unknown genetic and medical history. I understand that like all rats they are susceptible to health problems, especially respiratory illnesses. I agree that Rachie’s Ratirement Home holds no responsibility for the actions of the rats after adoption and that Rachie’s Ratirement Home has done their best to screen the rats to adopt out animals with all relevant information made available for you to make an informed choice. If for any reason I am unhappy with my experience adopting, I will contact Rachie’s Ratirement Home, who will try to resolve any issues. For the purposes of all electronic form submission, any document received at an electronic address will be taken to be signed and authorised by the author.