Home checkers needed

Hi,

I've had a couple of enquiries about some of the rats we still have here, but don't have anyone in the vicinity to homecheck them. If anyone is able to home check either:
- Milton Keynes
- Hales Owen (Birmingham)
please can you let me know.

Thank you

Nim

Will see who we have to PM

PMd
Birmingham

Ruby's Mum
xabbyxlouise
Barrett90
merlin
bpbetty

Milton Keynes
PMd

emeraldlady
Rocky
Ellieh
Blacklab

Hi Kazz

Never done a homecheck for a rat before, but am in Milton Keynes during the week, so let me know if I can help and what I need to look out for. I suppose the 6ft fencing in the garden is not necessary

Rocky x

It is for Nim (Ratscallions) I am sure she will let you know.

I am away from lunchtime today till monday have never done home check for a Rat before.

Hi guys,

Thank you for the responses
Now that I actualy know there are people available in the areas I will have to check with the potential homes whether they mind a homecheck. Obvioulsy if they do mind then they won't get the rats.


When home checking for rats things to bare in mind:

- Important: they need a large cage, at least two feet in all directions, with shelves and levels inside.

- Important: where will the cage be? rats can get used to noise and people going past quite happily; in fact a public area is better. However, if the cage looks to be in a draft it may be worth asking if they can put it elsewhere, explaining that rats are very prone to respiratory problems.

- Important: see what other animals they have. If they have a dog / dogs, is it chilled and relaxed, or is it bouncy and out of control. Rats don't like hyperactive dogs. Cats are ok provided they're not likely to paw at the cage constantly.

- Important: check that the house is not full of snakes lol. Seriously; these babies are not going to accidentally go as snake food.

- Important: is the house full of other animals. I understand that some people love having a lot of animals around. But from my point of view I've spent a lot of time socialising these animals so that they'd make good pets if someone has lots of cages of small animals, then they're not likely to spend the time with the rats that I'd like from a new home.

- Secondary: have a little talk with them about what products they will be using for the rats. Red flag = wood shavings. Rats cannot be kept on wood shavings due to the oils that come from them (phenols); they cause respiratory tract damage in rats. If someone does say wood shavings, then possibly explain the phenol thing and see if they're willing to consider using CareFresh, or something more friendly.

- Secondary: I don't like people keeping their rats on hay and straw because of the mould spores that come from hay and straw when it isn't being eaten immediately (ie like a guinea pig or rabbit would do).

- Secondary: shredded paper, toilet paper, shredded clothing, safebed, etc are all appropriate for bedding.

- Secondary: they need to be fed a proper rat food. If they say hamster or rabbit food, please correct them. If they say they will make their own mix, ask them which recipe they're using as there are several online (if they can't name one, then ask them to considering using a proper rat food). Ideally they'd use Science Selective Rat Food.

- Secondary: are they registered with a vet. If not, are they going to. Rats do require veterinary care.

I know it's not the home checkers responsibility to check all of these things, don't worry. Basically the home checker needs to check the caging, and get a feeling for the house and family, and whether they will have enough time for the rats. But if they can gather some of the above info while there it'd be useful too

Cheers

Nim

Looks like this is covered now