FAQ | onceuponamischief

How my adoption process works.

If you have any further questions, check out the FAQ below or contact me!

I will no longer be keeping a waitlist!

I am breeding far less than I was in the past and because of that it may be a long wait between litters and dwarfs generally have smaller litters. I dont want people waiting for so long, most move on by then or ghost me. Now my rats will be first come via facebook.

Are you impatient? This may not be for you!

I can not stress this enough. I do not just have stock of available rats. I do not have shelves of products. I am not a store with stock. I am a responsible breeder and so I breed with a purpose and goals, not to just breed endlessly or make sales.

Every single litter has been carefully planned to better my lines and work towards a goal. Selling is not my first goal at all.

Generally, most of the time when you contact me you may be waiting 3-6 months or more. Breeding is not instantaneous or for those that are not patient. One person may be getting a rat next week, someone else may be waiting a year.

It takes time, I generally do not breed a female until they reach 5-6 months old.
Once paired it might be right away or take weeks if I'm unlucky before she gets pregnant
The pregnancy is about 3 weeks!
That's already around a month just from pairing
I don't sell until 8-10+ weeks. That's is around 2.5 months.
So about 3.5 months if all goes well from when I paired.

While I generally have litters paired every month or two, some are still new lines not yet available and as always we are dealing with living animals, and mother nature had a mind of its own! I can't know how many babies I will get or of what sex.

You will be waiting 3-6+ months generally, depending on how picky you are on variety.

I am not a pet store. I am not some backyard breeder who is just mass breeding for $$$.

I hope that those coming to me are doing so because they want a wonderful amazing well-bred animal. That requires work and time!

My Adoption process:

When babies are available to reserve (usually at 6-8 weeks+) I will announce it via Facebook and my website. I will then post photos of all the babies along with my adoption application.

Once filled out and approved you may pick your babies. This is generally first come gets first pick/me sorting out which babies fit best with which home.

Everyone chooses from photos. You may not meet the rats first as I have a closed rattery (please see my terms page for more info)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

I am located in Dunkirk, New York 14048

This is about an hour's drive from Buffalo, NY
Two hour drive from Rochester, NY
An hour drive from Erie, PA
About 40 mins from Jamestown, NY

Visit this link https://maps.app.goo.gl/ayyJoWTiwe89DGxWA
Go to Directions button on the left side of the page, put in your address to see how far away we are!

We are located right on Lake Erie, it is beautiful here. Take a road trip, drive by the lake!
Do you deliver or ship?

At this time we do not deliver. Pick up only.

I do not ship. See my Terms for more info
Do you allow transports to pick up rats?

No sorry I do not. The owners must pick up their new rats themselves. See my terms page for more info
What varieties do you breed?

At this time mostly Dumbo Siamese Dwarfs in Standard coat and Satin coat

I am currently adding in new varieties including Standard size and Rex coats
What are your prices?

$40 per rat/ $80 for a pair. See my price page for more info
Do I need to fill out an application?

Yes and be approved before you can purchase rats from me.

I ONLY open up and post the application once babies are available to reserve.
At what age do you sell babies?

8+ weeks for standard size
10+ weeks for dwarfs
Will you sell me a single rat?

NO. I do not sell single rats for any reason. They must go in pairs. Please see my page here for why.
Can I visit/see the rats/pick out which rats I want?

No. We are a closed rattery. See more info here. It is for the health and safety of my animals.

All rats are bred for good temperament and if for any reason you do not click with your new rats, we will take them back.
Can you let me know when certain rats/litters are available?

Sorry no. That is just too much to juggle for me to reach out to everyone individually. You will have to follow my facebook page or website.
Can you send me photos?

Sorry no. I post the photos I take on facebook and instagram. I will also not take individual pictures of my Siamese babies. They all look the same and Siamese will molt and change how they look by adoption time,
Do you have Dumbos?

I mostly breed Dumbos, yes.
Do you breed this specific color/variety?

Maybe... check out my page for what lines I breed.
Do you sell to other breeders?

I am willing to work with other breeders. I prefer they are active within the breeding community. Just reach out and chat with me.