This post is for those who may be visiting our site because you have found, for whatever reason(s), that you need to consider giving up your rat terrier:

Please, on behalf of all of our members, we BEG you to register here and post about your rattie!!! While we may suggest alternatives like training to help you to be able to keep your rattie in your family, what we want most of all is for you to know that if you decide that your rattie can no longer be a part of your family, that everyone here will reach out a hand and do our absolute best to see to it that your rattie is NOT taken to a kill shelter.

We have members all over the United States, and in Canada as well. We have many members who belong to a fantastic rescue group known as Ratbone Rescues ( www.ratbonerescues.com ). PLEASE visit their site and contact them, but do post here as well.

We recognize that this fabulous breed is not for everyone and that sometimes extreme extenuating circumstances arise that are beyond our control. Whatever the reason, it is IMPERATIVE that the dog not be taken to a "pound" where they will undoubtedly likely be "put to sleep". Rat terriers, even very cute, young ones, do NOT "show" well in typical shelters in cages. They are often reported as cowering in the corner of their cage and becoming depressed and fearful. Please do not do this to your dog. Somone, somewhere is waiting to provide him or her with a great forever home where they will be loved and provided for in the way that they deserve!

Thank you for coming here and taking the time to read this. This post was created on behalf of Lucky, a little guy who wasn't given a chance and is now no longer with us

My fiance found this site this morning and told me about it. Thank you so much for posting this. I read all the posts about Lucky and cried my eyes out and flat squeezed my Ratty with love and my sorrow for Lucky. I noticed in the person's posting that she never said the dog needed a home just training. I just moved to Miami a year ago and my Ratty didn't even know how to walk on a leash because he was raised in the country in North Carolina. He is 10 1/2 years old and he learned to walk on the leash in 10 minutes. If he can do that at his age then Lucky could have been taught. I've had to put a dog to sleep. He had bitten four people but never brought blood. I admit he was not a rat terrier, he was a Chow but I did not put him to sleep for it. He was put too sleep when he could no longer walk on the three legs he had left. Not for biting. I too have been bitten, I was 3 years old and our dog, a german shepard named Apache, bit me right at the corner of my right eye. The dog was not punished. Why? Because I shouldn't have been messing with him when he was eating. My fault not the dog. Why blame dogs for people's stupidity? Rat Terriers are loving, playful dogs. They don't hurt people without good cause. My little Ratty bit my son when my son was 11 years old. My son got in trouble not Ratty. He shouldn't have been teasing him, my son got what he deserved. Ratty bit him and then my belt found my son's butt. NO ANIMAL DESERVES WHAT LUCKY GOT! What was so lucky about him. The sad thing is he is now gone. But it is done, so I write the following in memory of Lucky who wasn't Lucky enough to get a family that could understand him.

My Gift To Jesus

I wish someone had given little Jesus a dog as loyal and loving as mine

to sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes and adore Him for being divine.

As Our Lord grew to manhood, His own faithful dog would have followed him all through the day,

While He preached to crowds and made the sick well and knelt in the Garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away to face death alone and apart, (just like Lucky)

with no tender dog following close behind to comfort its Master's heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn, how happy He would have been,

as His dog kissed His hand and barked its delight for the One who died for all men!

Well, the Lord has a dog now, they just sent Him Lucky,

A little Ratty so lost and alone, and I smile through the tears knowing that Lucky is loved

in Heaven with the Lord.

I don't know who wrote this, a friend sent it to me. I changed it a little for poor little Lucky. He may not have been loved by those who had him but he is loved by many people on this site. I hope maybe this will ease the pain in our hearts for Lucky.

Ratty's Mom (Janie)

 I love dogs.  I have a dog that I've spend thousands of dollars on just this year to care for her in her old age. I can tell that you all love dogs too.  And yes, certain things could have been done differently to give Lucky a better chance.  But you all are just taking this a bit too far.  To compare a dog to Jesus is insulting.  And to be soooo incredibly mean to Lucky's mom is just...mean.  She has two young children to think about.  She was very upset about her daughter and nephew being bit by Lucky and acted out of love toward them.  I'm sorry but to most people humans take priority over dogs.  She took Lucky to the SPCA -- they are in business to protect animals.  If they felt that Lucky couldn't be saved then I am sure they had a reason.  Your hateful posts will do nothing to bring Lucky back.  And it's not helping Lucky's mom deal with all of the emotion that went into this decision.  She choose her chldren over a dog.  So please back off.  If you need something to worship why don't you let it be Jesus instead of a dog.  Thanks for your time. 

Being Lucky's Aunt and a dog lover why didn't you give Lucky the chance that he deserved.

Well put all, we got our rattie thru the local ASPCA. We have had our name with them for a while for a "small" dog. I cannot believe that in 6 months a puppy could be abused but that is what happened. We are now in the third week and I am amazed at just how smart and fast this puppy has adjusted. We made a donation to the ASPCA, as we did not know that her sugery was covered thru them.  Our local " shelter" tries hard, but they cannot keep up with the demand. This is our first rattie and are amazed daily at her antics.

Don't just give them away, find a home for them, they will make a difference in the life of a great family.

You know, this is one of those topics that we just don't like to think about, but it happens far too often.  I really appreciate the responsible and realistic approach you used and addressed this issue. 

While it might seem unthinkable to any of us to put a dog (any dog!) in the pound, it does happen, often because the person hasn't thoroughly considered the alternatives if a dog must be un-adopted.

On another note -- I've had a wonderful experience with adopting a pound-puppy.  Munch was terrier mix my wife and I adopted from the Humaine Society some 19 years ago (1 month after we were married).  When we got her, she was a mess.  She smelled horrible and was covered in fleas and ticks, her hair was matted.  She also tested possitive for heartworm.  We wanted to save a dog that probably wouldn't have a chance otherwise, and boy did we pick one.  We knew there was some possibility she may not live - being in the pound, she was exposed to the worst of the worst, and apparently didn't have it too good before that. She lived to be 13, and is now long gone but not forgotten. She turned out to be a sweet animal and great protector, and she enriched our lives in so many ways.  When adding a new canine to your family, please consider giving one of these unfortunate children an opportunity.  It can be a very rewarding experience.