I like the idea of being greeted by a rat swarm, m'self. ;) But, I'd want to stay in animal heaven instead of people heaven. LOL. Then I could love on all the animals who never had a human on earth. This is all silliness, you realize of course. Heh.
I've only had two unspayed girls. One died at 18 months with PT, one died of old age at 2.5 years. No mammary tumors on either, luckily. I've actually never had a mammary tumor and I've done a couple later spays. I did have one girl develop cancer on her uterine stump (since they couldn't get all the uterus in her spay, of course) but that was a one in a million thing. I've lost four to PT.
I adopt from Huron Valley Rat Rescue in MI and have kiddos flown to me in MN. Kaia spays and neuters all rats old enough at the rescue and the adoption fee is $20. The flights are usually a bit over $100, but when I have to pay $100 for a neuter here or $150 for a spay, I'm still saving a lot of money. Plus HVRR rats are the best! Three of my current 6 are from HVRR and I'm having another pair flown in in a few months once the baby boy and his mum can be sterilized. So, I'm looking at about $150 with the fees and flight instead of $300+ for a neuter, a spay and adoption fees/vet visits.
I guess this long rant was if you do decide you want more rats, go to HVRR and get some pre-altered kiddos! There are also rat trains and maybe someone is going to Portland. I think MMR is the closest rescue to you (Mainely Rat Rescue in Maine) and they also spay/neuter and have trains, I believe.
Yeah, I keep saying I'm going to get my numbers down but I always come up with a reason to help when I see a rat in need. I have a three level FN that can hold like 20 rats(!) and only 6 in there right now. Most I've had at one time is 10. My two girls are both 18 months old and one has had CHF for months now. She's holding on and doing well but I know that heart stuff can take them quickly. It's so morbid to assume she won't be around super long, I know, but it helps me deal. Her sister is in better health but I've lost most of my ladies at around two, two and a half.
I got a little guy a few months ago and he's this little 4 month old firecracker in with all middle aged (1+ year) rats. Jack needs a friend more his age. So, I'm adopting a baby who is only two weeks old now and his young mum. Excuses excuses... heh.
Re: :(
But, I'd want to stay in animal heaven instead of people heaven. LOL. Then I could love on all the animals who never had a human on earth. This is all silliness, you realize of course. Heh.
I've only had two unspayed girls. One died at 18 months with PT, one died of old age at 2.5 years. No mammary tumors on either, luckily. I've actually never had a mammary tumor and I've done a couple later spays. I did have one girl develop cancer on her uterine stump (since they couldn't get all the uterus in her spay, of course) but that was a one in a million thing. I've lost four to PT.
I adopt from Huron Valley Rat Rescue in MI and have kiddos flown to me in MN. Kaia spays and neuters all rats old enough at the rescue and the adoption fee is $20. The flights are usually a bit over $100, but when I have to pay $100 for a neuter here or $150 for a spay, I'm still saving a lot of money. Plus HVRR rats are the best! Three of my current 6 are from HVRR and I'm having another pair flown in in a few months once the baby boy and his mum can be sterilized. So, I'm looking at about $150 with the fees and flight instead of $300+ for a neuter, a spay and adoption fees/vet visits.
I guess this long rant was if you do decide you want more rats, go to HVRR and get some pre-altered kiddos! There are also rat trains and maybe someone is going to Portland. I think MMR is the closest rescue to you (Mainely Rat Rescue in Maine) and they also spay/neuter and have trains, I believe.
Yeah, I keep saying I'm going to get my numbers down but I always come up with a reason to help when I see a rat in need. I have a three level FN that can hold like 20 rats(!) and only 6 in there right now. Most I've had at one time is 10. My two girls are both 18 months old and one has had CHF for months now. She's holding on and doing well but I know that heart stuff can take them quickly. It's so morbid to assume she won't be around super long, I know, but it helps me deal. Her sister is in better health but I've lost most of my ladies at around two, two and a half.
I got a little guy a few months ago and he's this little 4 month old firecracker in with all middle aged (1+ year) rats. Jack needs a friend more his age. So, I'm adopting a baby who is only two weeks old now and his young mum. Excuses excuses... heh.