where to get a rat?

Question
Hi,
I had asked a question earlier about if a pet rat was right for me and you replied and said yes, it was a good idea and was suitable w/ my daily plans.
But now i just needed to know where i could get a pet rat. I always here that you shouldn't get a pet rat from a pet store, but then again, i got my pet rat from the pet store, and he was the best thing that ever happened to me. He was the best thing to come home to every day after school because he always wanted to be with me and he lived for about 4 years.
what do you think?

thanks so much!

Answer
The main reason people discourage buying animals from pet stores is because you don't know of their lineage, which you don't need to be a breeder to care about. Even if the animal is "healthy" when you get it, it could carry a horrible disease (more prone to cancer, tumors, etc) that was very possibly hereditary.

Many people also simply don't want to help pet stores since most (especially Petco, because I'll probably get hate mail from some employee for this but, they are mostly a sick, mass breeding, decieving chain. They are so many more cruel things going on behind the scenes that we don't get to know about) pet stores don't correctly treat rats since they "aren't as important". Its a personal choice, but most people I know don't want to support those kind of businesses, even if it means leaving a few rats behind.

I understand that your rat lived a long life and had *no* problems, but I just meant to point out some general reasons why you, MOST of the time, might choose not to buy from pet stores (I will add that PetsMart is superb however, and if you must buy from a pet store, go to them).

Rescues and breeders are probably your best bet in a new pet rat. Check out www.Ratster.com/breederlinks to find a breeder or rescue in your area. There is also Kim's Ark, which is a fabulous rescue if you live in the United States.

Good luck
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