To become an Approved Adopter, please follow these easy steps:
Step 1 - Education
Responsible pet owners learn as much as they can about the animal they want to adopt before bringing them home. All animals have quirks and habits that are good to be familiar with and well-prepared for. Decisions such as which gender is right for you, how many rats is the right amount, what should you feed them (or NOT feed them), do they need any shots or regular veterinary care, and many many more, are great to ask ahead of time so there are as few surprises along the way as possible. The more answers you know beforehand, the better the care you can give to your new fur babies when you bring them home. The "best practices" for certain pets can also change over time with new research and innovations. Past rat ownership is not a guarantee of rat care expertise.
Here are a few good places to start your research:
We also have a Helpful Links page where you can find additional resources for researching. We add to it as we find new things.
Remember, if you can't find the answers online, we are always here to help you as well! You need only ask. We will be reviewing applications to see if adopters show evidence that they have done proper research prior to requesting adoption. Failure to read through our website policies, research proper rat care, or ask questions when there is an obvious lack of up-to-date knowledge on pet rats can result in the denial of your application. A lot of effort at our rattery goes into helping adopters have the resources they need to be successful rat parents for our babies. When an applicant shows little to no interest in being well-prepared, it says a lot about the type of rat owner they will be. If a potential adopter does not have the time to gain knowledge on rats before buying, they are much less likely to have time to properly care for our Squeakin' Pups after adoption as well. There is a very strong correlation between pre-adoption effort and post adoption care.
MANDATORY READING:
Step 2 - Be Ready
It is very common for adopters to start their adoption process prior to obtaining the necessary housing, bedding, and food they need to care for their new family member, however, we will not approve any adopters who do not have these items already in their possession. We will need to know your cage type and any items you will be using for your rats when you apply. If you cannot supply that specific information or the information is vague, your application may be held up in processing and you will miss your window for adoption of specific babies you are interested in. This step is a natural outcome from step one. As you become educated, you should be selecting the proper items for your rats. If you need help in selection, please feel free to reach out to me for some suggestions. We also offer a wide variety of items on our website and Etsy page.
Not sure which items to purchase to get ready for your rats? Here are a few of our favorites:
- Critter Nation cage: https://amzn.to/47bjs3w (I also have a limited number of these in stock if you do not want to wait for shipping ($200, which includes all tax).
- Double CN Cage: https://amzn.to/43Tnn2a
- Prevue Cage: https://amzn.to/3OijGgC
- Wire Carrier: https://amzn.to/3DCGRgS
- Plastic Carrier (size Small, 10x15x9): https://www.chewy.com/frisco-top-entry-two-toned-small-pet/dp/291368
- Hammocks, treats, toys: www.SqueakinPups.etsy.com
- Costumes: www.SoSqueakinCute.etsy.com
- Oxbow Rat Food (Adult Essentials is what our rats will be on when they leave with you): https://amzn.to/3Yf3dyl or we sell it at my shop for $5 for a single pound or $15 for a 3.5 lb bag (any tax included with price).
Step 3 - Adoption Forms
The adoption forms are linked on Facebook only when we are accepting applications on current Available or Upcoming Litters.
We do not keep a "WAIT LIST", but we do have a list of Approved Adopters who are contacted each time there are time spots to schedule.
You will NOT be approved for adoption until BOTH FORMS below are COMPLETED. If we receive only one, it will take LONGER for you to adopt or you may never be approved.
Form ONE: Disclosure Form Link
Form TWO: Application Form Link
Please note that your application forms will not be processed until you do Step 4.
**If our adoption forms are turned off and not accepting responses, we either do not have any litters to offer at this time or are in the process of offering current litters to those who have already applied. Feel free to check the upcoming litters page to see when our next litters may be available.
Step 4 - Notify Us of Interest and Keep in Touch
The final step for adoption is to stay in touch with regarding your adoption process. This means sending an initial message on either Facebook or Instagram to begin a dialogue regarding adoption, responding to any messages we may send regarding available times or litters, and paying your deposit promptly to confirm your adoption time.
We accept reservation appointments in the order that we are able to confirm them (this means we have agreed on a meeting time and you have paid your non-refundable deposit to hold that spot). Confirming appointments can take longer if requested information is not received from the adopter. If you fill out our forms, but never reach out to us for initial contact, we will archive your forms after two weeks. You can find us on both Facebook and Instagram by searching @SqueakinPups
Step 1 - Education
Responsible pet owners learn as much as they can about the animal they want to adopt before bringing them home. All animals have quirks and habits that are good to be familiar with and well-prepared for. Decisions such as which gender is right for you, how many rats is the right amount, what should you feed them (or NOT feed them), do they need any shots or regular veterinary care, and many many more, are great to ask ahead of time so there are as few surprises along the way as possible. The more answers you know beforehand, the better the care you can give to your new fur babies when you bring them home. The "best practices" for certain pets can also change over time with new research and innovations. Past rat ownership is not a guarantee of rat care expertise.
Here are a few good places to start your research:
- AFRMA Site
- The Rat Guide - Many portions are written in medical jargon, but still a good read. (I do not expect adopters to read it all - there are thousands of articles)
- RattyRat - The link takes you to an article on rat body language. This can be a great read for a new rat owner when trying to figure out if their new rats are playing or fighting.
- The Rat Fan Club Website
- The Rat Guru on YouTube
- We also have a variety of articles on our website under the menus Resources / Education . Please be sure to read all of these as well.
We also have a Helpful Links page where you can find additional resources for researching. We add to it as we find new things.
Remember, if you can't find the answers online, we are always here to help you as well! You need only ask. We will be reviewing applications to see if adopters show evidence that they have done proper research prior to requesting adoption. Failure to read through our website policies, research proper rat care, or ask questions when there is an obvious lack of up-to-date knowledge on pet rats can result in the denial of your application. A lot of effort at our rattery goes into helping adopters have the resources they need to be successful rat parents for our babies. When an applicant shows little to no interest in being well-prepared, it says a lot about the type of rat owner they will be. If a potential adopter does not have the time to gain knowledge on rats before buying, they are much less likely to have time to properly care for our Squeakin' Pups after adoption as well. There is a very strong correlation between pre-adoption effort and post adoption care.
MANDATORY READING:
Step 2 - Be Ready
It is very common for adopters to start their adoption process prior to obtaining the necessary housing, bedding, and food they need to care for their new family member, however, we will not approve any adopters who do not have these items already in their possession. We will need to know your cage type and any items you will be using for your rats when you apply. If you cannot supply that specific information or the information is vague, your application may be held up in processing and you will miss your window for adoption of specific babies you are interested in. This step is a natural outcome from step one. As you become educated, you should be selecting the proper items for your rats. If you need help in selection, please feel free to reach out to me for some suggestions. We also offer a wide variety of items on our website and Etsy page.
Not sure which items to purchase to get ready for your rats? Here are a few of our favorites:
- Critter Nation cage: https://amzn.to/47bjs3w (I also have a limited number of these in stock if you do not want to wait for shipping ($200, which includes all tax).
- Double CN Cage: https://amzn.to/43Tnn2a
- Prevue Cage: https://amzn.to/3OijGgC
- Wire Carrier: https://amzn.to/3DCGRgS
- Plastic Carrier (size Small, 10x15x9): https://www.chewy.com/frisco-top-entry-two-toned-small-pet/dp/291368
- Hammocks, treats, toys: www.SqueakinPups.etsy.com
- Costumes: www.SoSqueakinCute.etsy.com
- Oxbow Rat Food (Adult Essentials is what our rats will be on when they leave with you): https://amzn.to/3Yf3dyl or we sell it at my shop for $5 for a single pound or $15 for a 3.5 lb bag (any tax included with price).
Step 3 - Adoption Forms
The adoption forms are linked on Facebook only when we are accepting applications on current Available or Upcoming Litters.
We do not keep a "WAIT LIST", but we do have a list of Approved Adopters who are contacted each time there are time spots to schedule.
You will NOT be approved for adoption until BOTH FORMS below are COMPLETED. If we receive only one, it will take LONGER for you to adopt or you may never be approved.
Form ONE: Disclosure Form Link
Form TWO: Application Form Link
Please note that your application forms will not be processed until you do Step 4.
**If our adoption forms are turned off and not accepting responses, we either do not have any litters to offer at this time or are in the process of offering current litters to those who have already applied. Feel free to check the upcoming litters page to see when our next litters may be available.
Step 4 - Notify Us of Interest and Keep in Touch
The final step for adoption is to stay in touch with regarding your adoption process. This means sending an initial message on either Facebook or Instagram to begin a dialogue regarding adoption, responding to any messages we may send regarding available times or litters, and paying your deposit promptly to confirm your adoption time.
We accept reservation appointments in the order that we are able to confirm them (this means we have agreed on a meeting time and you have paid your non-refundable deposit to hold that spot). Confirming appointments can take longer if requested information is not received from the adopter. If you fill out our forms, but never reach out to us for initial contact, we will archive your forms after two weeks. You can find us on both Facebook and Instagram by searching @SqueakinPups