Here you will find an overview of our adoption policies. All potential adopters must read through these policies and our adoption contracts in order to understand what is expected of the adopter before and after the adoption of our rats. By signing the adoption contract upon pick up of your rats you are agreeing to all stipulations located here and on the contract.

 Dazzle Me Rattery retains all ownership rights of all pups until a contract has been signed by both the breeder and the adopter. Reserving a rat is expressing interest in adopting said rat but you do not own the rat until a contract has been signed by both myself and the adopter. Last minute changes as to the availability of said rat are extremely rare but possible, and no guarantee is made until contracts are signed and rat is sent home with you.

 Please understand that our goal is not to flood the market with pretty rats. We do not breed to supply the pet market. We breed to improve the future for rats. We occasionally have pups available for placement but that is not our main focus.


Waiting List and Reservations

• We continuously accept applications even when we do not have litters due.

• Review our Adoption Contract to be certain you will be able to meet all the stipulations described.

• Fill out and submit an Adoption Application. Be sure to complete the application in full. If you need a referral to a veterinarian or have questions on rat care we will be happy to assist you in your research. 

• Please note that if the sire or dam originates from another breeder they will have the option (per contract) to second pick after us.

• Anytime after 4 weeks old we will begin contacting those on our waiting list. Feel free to inquire about the litter before this date -
  we love hearing from potential adopters!

• We reserve the right to offer you specific pups based on who we think will be the best match for you and/or your family. We try to match our pups with the best homes.

• If an instance occurs in which your pup or the entire litter is no longer available (i.e. an accident, need for quarantine, etc) we may, at our discretion, offer you a spot on the list for the next available litter.

• Our litters have set themes and are usually appointed registered names before reservations begin. If you prefer a different name but it is still within the theme, we may be willing to change it.

• We do not require a deposit to hold a rat at the time of reservation. 

• If you require that we hold your rats for an extended period past 8 weeks of age we may require a small additional fee for care and upkeep for the duration. Breeders are exempt from this as they most likely are holding rats for us as well.
  

Breeders

• We will only consider placement of rats on breeding contracts to those individuals we have actively known and conversed with for a minimum of one year. No exceptions. 

• You MUST be up-front about your plans. Waiting until reservation time or pick-up time to say you plan to breed will guarantee a failed adoption.

• All possible mates for a rat you have adopted from us must be approved before a pairing takes place.

• All adopters from the first generation offspring must be approved by us.

• All breeders wishing to adopt from your litter where a DAZL rat is in the first three generations of the pedigree must be approved by us.

• We reserve the right to revoke breeding rights of any and all rats holding a DAZL prefix in your possession at any time at our discretion.

Going Home

• Provided everything is going smoothly, pups will be available to go home at 6 to 8 weeks of age.

• Pick-up is arranged in a public place for the safety of people and animals alike.

• In general, we only adopt to persons 18 years of age and older. If you are under 18, your parent(s) must read and agree to our policies & adoption contract and abide by all requirements described in them.

• The non-refundable adoption fee for each pair of rats is $45 and requires a signed contract and abiding by all terms described therein for the life of the rat.

• We reserve the right to deny any person for any reason, even at time of pick-up, should we believe the placement is not appropriate.

• Shipping is available in special circumstances through Continental Airlines. No other airline will be accepted.

• The cost of shipping rats within the U.S. will be $250 and that includes travel crate, time and gas to take rats to a major airport. 
  

• We now offer possible transportation to the following areas based on travel plans and schedules. 
  Minimal transportation fee may be required to some areas to help cover gas costs.

Chicago - North Side Chicago - South Side Chicago - West Surburbs Chicago - South Suburbs

Northern Indiana/Illinois Border Valparaiso, IN Michigan City, IN South Bend, IN Remington/Rensselaer, IN

In the Fall Benton Harbor, MI Grand Rapids, MI Battle Creek, MI Lansing, MI

At Home

• We require weekly updates of your new family members for the first month. After the first month we require updates once every three months at minimum and more often if there are any problems. We NEED updates on our rats once they are in their new homes! Without your updates we cannot fully understand how well our lines are doing in the long run.

• If you move, change phone numbers, email addresses, etc., you must let us know so we have a means of contacting you for updates in the future.

• If you must give up your rats in the future, or can no longer care for them, they must be returned to us or we will assist you in placing them. We must approve of any other home before the rats are placed with any other person.