Payment via Paypal (mode of payment; “Friends and Family”) is due in full to iamgiftbearer@gmail.com before rat(s) are considered reserved. Only in very rare instances will cash upon pick-up be accepted (at The Rat’s Nest’s sole discretion).

Adopter agrees to make arrangements to pick up his/her reserved rat(s) within 10 days of availability. This often means the 10 days start as soon as a baby rat is weaned and deemed mature enough to leave its mother, sufficiently strong and healthy, eating solid food, and able to navigate the cage and fend for itself within a social group. In the instance of an older rat that is ready immediately, the 10 days will start from the date of payment/reservation. We have litters born frequently and therefore cannot afford to hold reserved rats indefinitely. This would constitute boarding and takes up cage space and resources that may be needed for other rats; adding cost to our overhead.

If adopter fails to pick up said reserved rat(s) within that 10 day period, they will be considered abandoned, and both the rat(s) and payment is forfeited.

In the event that your reserved rat(s) should become ill or injured (or dies) between the time they are reserved and picked up, The Rat’s Nest reserves the right to substitute another rat of equal or lesser value if in our discretion a rat is not in adoptable condition. This is for your benefit as well as for the animals, as it is our policy not to adopt out sick animals if/when such conditions are noted.

Alternately, we may issue the adopter a credit to be applied towards another rat of equal or lesser value if the replacement rat(s) we initially have to offer are not to the adopter’s liking. However, if adopter chooses this option, he/she agrees to select replacement rat(s) within 3 months of the original purchase from those we have available, at which time the credit will expire.

Given our ongoing expenses for the care, feeding, and housing for these animals, we are not able to offer refunds under any circumstances.

In the event of a sick rat within 24 hours of adoption we must be contacted, and proof provided, in which case a credit or replacement will be provided once rat is returned. We are not able to guarantee beyond that time-frame, as exposure to pathogens and husbandry issues once in your home environment are factors beyond our control. All responsibility then transfers over to the adopter to supply all the rat(s) needs. However we would like to know of any difficulties you encounter as well as positive experiences you have with them and appreciate updates for our documentation purposes with which to track the progress of our lines over time. We are willing to provide whatever advice and guidance we can. We are on MeWe and Facebook, but can always be reached by email at TheRatsNest@bellsouth.net

Adopter understands and agrees to have researched and provide suitable caging, food, and any bedding needed for his/her new rat(s) and have this ready in time for the animal(s) arrival, and bring along a secure container with which to transport rat(s) home on the day of pick-up.

We recommend your new rat(s) be quarantined in a separate cage and room for at least 2-3 weeks if you have other rats at home. If you choose not to do this, you understand that your omission of this health and safety measure is at your own risk.

Adopter understands and agrees not to breed rats adopted from The Rats Nest under any circumstances. Rats adopted under our Pet Rat contract are considered “pet only” and will only be adopted out in one gender or the other. (Breeders interested in working with our lines in the future are to apply with us for special permission and if accepted must abide by our Breeder Contract).

Adopting rats from us as pets under false pretenses in order to breed them will be considered breach-of-contract and theft of our intellectual property. A lot of time and planning has gone into developing these lines, especially Fawns and Recessive Hairless, and it is important that we manage their development in an organized and measured way. If in good faith you obtain rats from The Rat’s Nest and later become interested in breeding them you must obtain prior permission to do so, and if approved, sign a Breeder Contract at that time.

As of July 3, 2019 we are not selling to other breeders at this time. Once we decide to open our lines to other breeders we will be offering some breeding rights to a limited number of breeders but only with stipulations. Until such time, we are offering these to pet homes only.

If you find at some later date that you can no longer keep your rat(s) we will accept them back if space allows. Adopter agrees to contact us first to ask if we can take them back and if we are unable to accommodate them must ask permission to place them in another suitable home at which time new potential adopted family must sign a copy of this contract as well and return it to The Rat’s Nest.