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How we do things at Ratbone Rescues
When you apply to adopt a Ratbone Rat, there are certain steps that will be taken to assure that the best home is being offered for one of our dogs. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.
The first thing you may expect is a letter in response to your application. This is so that you will know we have received your application, and to let you know that the person taking care of the Rat you want has been notified.
 The next thing you may expect is a letter from "your" Rat's fostermom (or fosterdad). This is so you can learn as much about your dog as we ourselves know - both good and bad. The last thing we want is to place a Rat that does not suit it's new family!
Please feel free to write back and forth with your chosen Rat's fostermom as much as you like. In many cases, she (or he) will have pictures that can be emailed to you.
You can then expect a phone call from our Applications Coordinator. This will come after she has spoken to your vet and some of your references, and is the final step in the approval process. Once you have spoken with her, it is only a matter of time before you get a letter telling you if you have been approved to adopt a Ratbone Rat.
Some time during the process to adopt a Ratbone Rat we will set up your home visit. This is done using either a Ratbone representative or a volunteer from an area rescue. This person will call in advance to schedule a visit to your home. The purpose of the visit is to verify that yours is the best possible home for our rescued Rat. It is also to allow you to ask questions about rescue & pet adoptions.
Once you are approved we will send you an adoption contract to read, sign, and mail back. With this contract you will send your adoption fee. After your contract has been received, we will begin planning your Rat's transport home.
If your Rat lives in another state there are two primary ways we use to do this. One is shipping by air. This is only done if the new family is willing to take on the responsibility of making the arrangements, and the expense of the shipping cost. Included in the cost are a crate, veterinary health certificate, and the air fare itself.
Our most common form of transport is by volunteer, cross-country drivers. This is done using other people involved in rescue. Each person drives about 100 to 200 miles, then hands the Rat off to the next person. Sometimes, in cases of very long distances, we have been fortunate enough to find a helpful truck driver to do all or most of the transport!!
If you choose to do the cross-country transport, we will ask that you drive a "leg" of your Rat's transport. Our Transport Coordinator will send you a route plan, listing each "leg" of your transport, and asking if you can do the last one. If you can not do your leg, please be prepared to find someone you know who can help. We do expect our new families to take an active part in getting their Rat home.
Ground transports are no longer than 600 miles. If the dog you have chosen to adopt is further than this, plan to have the dog flown to you or to drive the remainder of the distance.
More information on How a Transport Works.
 If there is anything that remains unclear to you about our procedures, please feel free to contact us.
Apply to Adopt a Rat!
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