꧁꧁Spitfire Rattery Rescue꧂꧂
Bringing you quality pet rats
About us
Spitfire Rattery, has been running since fall of 2020.
I started as a private breeder and became the founder of the Canadian Rat Fancy, which is still a huge on-going process.
After looking for suitable pet rats in pet stores and being let down one by one, I began my journey into breeding.
This is not a hobby for me. This is my life and life goals, to be the top breeder in Ontario, bringing quality pet rats and show quality rats to the Ottawa area and into the homes of loving owners.
I also want to bring a Fancy to Canada that will shed a brighter light on rat owning and caring for those who do not know about them and all the wonderful things they can do as both pets and emotional support critters.
I specialize in Russian blues, all various silvers and blues, and genuine hairless (void of any fur) and double rex (drex). Please note, others claiming to breed these are likely not. True blues are only telling in blood and hairless must be void of all hair even whiskers!
As of Dec 2021 we are happy to announce Satin coats have been added to the Rattery.
Spitfire Rattery lines of Blues and Hairless are uncontested for over a year in Ottawa.
I offer thriving environments, enrichment inside and outside of the cage, in separate setups, with toys and different things to climb on and explore. Both cage and play area items are switched probably monthly sometimes more often if I find they are getting bored or lazy. My rats will come accustomed to cats and various people.
Older rats will have one level homes to make wandering around easier, and safer for their aging bodies and limbs.
They are given a mix of gerbil, rat and bird food (all minimum or void of sunflower seed and cube food). Oxbow rat triangles, mixed with Dried herbs, and fruits and veggies, freeze dried krill, freeze dried shrimp and blood worms. Mixed small seeds like pumpkin, chai, quinoa, and hemp. Mix of small dog food and cat food. Various whole grain cereals and a touch of pasta and rice.
They are fed at night while they are most active.
They get treats and snacks of eggs, various meats, liver paste, cheese, breads, frozen fruit and veg or fresh. Fresh herb (like basil, mints, rosemary etc). My rats really like peanut butter (dog friendly kind), and truth be told the odd human treat like bagel, doughnut, cookie, bread, lol. I can promise if its said rat ok online and with vet, I've let them try it.
The ratty's current favorite treats are different home made breads. Raisin, banana, chocolate chip banana/zucchini and multi grain.
Cage is cleaned monthly. Shaving are spot cleaned every day/ every other day. My rats are litter trained to use pans attached to corners of their cage. Toys are cleaned according to texture. Plastics are washed once a week possibly more if the mess is higher. Ropes and anything machine washable is first washed by hand then put into a washer with no soap, and hung to dry. Wooden items are replaced as needed and washed down (scrubbed) weekly.
Water dishes are done daily. Food dishes are done daily. The rat room itself is kept clean using no soap, just hot water and spray bottle of vinegar and water mixture. This includes the floor.
Please do your research before you consider getting rats as pets, it is a commitment and these furry loves are often re-homed due to owners lack of knowledge...I am always willing to answer questions and refer to helpful videos and sites I found helped me and others the most.
as a side note:
***There is currently no real rat fancy in Canada and I would like to work with my fellow breeders to start some local shows, if you interested or have contacts in that area please feel free to message me through my group on facebook so we can chat. ****
Junkers Ju
A Responsible Breeder’s Code of Ethics
General Ethics:
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To provide for each animal in my care an environment which meets their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. This includes adequate living conditions, correct nutrition, proper bedding, and needed health care.
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To promote and encourage responsible pet ownership.
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To begin and further a study which increases my knowledge of the science of breeding Fancy Rats.
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To maintain an interest in all animals which I sell and arrange for the return/placement of an animal of my breeding which is in need or no longer wanted.
Breeding Ethics:
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To be familiar with and knowledgeable of the standard for those varieties which I choose to breed, including proper coat, color, conformation, and temperament, and to use that standard as a goal in striving to improve the variety with every breeding.
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To breed only animals which are sexually mature, in good health, and are free from hereditary defects, parasitic infestation, poor temperaments, and communicable disease.
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To be knowledgeable about the effects and consequences of mycoplasma as a disease, and until such a time as we acquire a method for controlling or eliminating this disease, breeding with the goal of producing an animal which is mycoplasma resistant.
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To be knowledgeable about the causes of tumor growth in rats and mice and to breed with the aim of producing an animal which is not genetically predisposed to this condition.
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To discontinue the breeding of animals who consistently produce offspring who have a defect or disorder which is detrimental to the animals’ well-being, or temperaments which make them unsuitable as companion animals.
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To provide a pregnant doe and the resulting kittens with the housing, nutrition, and care necessary to meet their physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
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To assure that every animal produced has the necessary temperament to make it a suitable companion animal.
Selling Ethics:
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To not sell or otherwise place rat kittens under 6 weeks of age; mouse kittens under 5 weeks of age.
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To consciously seek the best possible homes for animals which I place or sell.
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To sell only healthy animals who are sound in temperament and free from parasites.
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To stand behind the condition and quality of all animals as represented at the time of sale.
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To be sure the buyer is fully informed when selling an animal which has a known defect, health, or other physical condition or serious deviation from the standard.
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To never knowingly sell a pregnant doe without fully disclosing the fact to the buyer.
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To take responsibility for any offspring produced by a doe which was unknowingly pregnant when sold.
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To take back or find a home for any animal whose placement is not successful.
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To provide to a purchaser full instructions on feeding, housing, and general care.
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To provide the new owner with ongoing support and assistance with problems that may arise.
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When selling an animal to a novice breeder or fancier as breeding or show-quality stock, to provide support, advice, education, and guidance to assist them in achieving their goals.
The views expressed herein are of the author and do not reflect any policy of the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association but are taken and revised with this breeders personal purpose in mind.