Dedicated to the love and care of rats & mice
Welcome to the Georgia Chapter of the
Rat & Mouse Club of America
This site was last updated: 8/13/2008
Adoption Information
How to Adopt.....
The GARMCA Rescue Center is made up of a community of foster and quarantine homes. We handle over 100 cases in our rescue program in a given year. Once you have located the ratty you would like to adopt, the first step towards adopting is to fill out an adoption application. Our volunteers work hard to respond to all adoption applications or inquiries as soon as possible. Listed below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding our adoption policies and procedures. Please note that we are not a full time rescue nor do we own and operate a shelter facility.
How do I get started?
The first step in the adoption proceedure is to contact our RESCUE COORDINATOR to be considered for adoption and fill out and submit the application for adoption- Our adoption application is available online HERE. You must submit your application and be approved before setting an adoption appointment with one of our fosters. All of our rats are very special to us and we put a lot of time, energy, money, care and love into them and want only the best possible future for them in their new home.
How much is the adoption fee?
We currently have two fees as follows:
* For unaltered rats of any age, variety or sex - $10 per rat* For neutered males of any age or variety - $40 per rat Please note that these fees may be subject to change given certain adoption situations or for multiple rat adoptions. We currently do not spay females but the option is available for those interested. A different adoption fee will be asked for spayed females due to the higher cost of the proceedure. The adoption fee for neutering males covers only a fraction of the true cost we pay for the proceedure. We occasionally have rats that have been surendered already sterilized. No additional fee for rats who have been sterilized prior to coming into the foster network. Neutered males are placed only after they are completely sterile. All adoption fees go towards the further care of the current residents of the rescue and for any rescue effort expenses when needed.
What is included in the adoption and fee?
You recieve the following when you adopt from us:
* 1 pound of Harlan 2018 or 2014 lab block food to help get you started* Ongoing support and a return home for the life of the rat(s)* Prior to adoption, the rat(s) will recieve any vetting as needed, such as additional testing, major surgery, etc.* Complimentary nail trimmings (as requested)Typically all of the rats that are available for adoption have gone through and passed their full evaluation and quarantine. All rats have complete (up to their current age) medical care and treatment for parasites. A select few have received additional vetting or testing that may have needed to be done depending on their condition when they arrive. We also adopt out rats for immediate adoption in an effort to not to over-tax our rescue and foster network. These rats go straight from their current needy situation into new homes without the entering into the GARMCA's foster or quarantine network. We give no lifetime guarantee of the health, temperament or resources with the adoption of these rats. With all new rats introduced into existing homes and colonies, it is even more important that all new owners quarantine.
Occasionally rats will be adopted out along with a cage and other supplies. These supplies and housing are offered as par of the adoption fee at no extra charge. Rats that have these items available at the time of adoption are noted in the available rescues listings. We will not grant these supplies and housing if only one or two out of a large group of rats is being placed.
For our complete listing of available rescue rats, see our Petfinder.com homesite!
The Rescue Center's Adoption Policies & Procedures
* Must be at least 18 years of age to apply, or must have parents apply.
* We do not offer same day adoptions; adoption applications are reviewed within 72 hours of receipt.
* Most all of our ratties require other ratty companionship in the home.
* If no animal companion in the home, ratties must be adopted in same sex pairs, unless the rat prefers to be the ONLY pet.
* Rats that make better ONLY companions are indicated on the website as such.
* Applicants are required to sign a binding adoption contract at adoption close.
If you have any further questions regarding our adoption policies or procedures, please e-mail daratter@hotmail.com.
For those who are needing to surrender their rats:
If you are needing to surrender your rats, please note below. In 2007, the GARMCA decided to help the many needy and homeless rats in the state and so we began the Rescue Center. We are a registered non-profit rescue for the rehoming and rescue of pet rats and mice. However, we are not a full time rescue nor are we a shelter with a facility. We do not have the capacity to take in rats immediately. The rescue program is made up of a network of volunteers and fosters who dedicate their time, resources and love to those in need. However, the GARMCA also has access to a number of online communities, groups, listings and forums. We also maintain a database listing on Petfinder.com.
To surrender you rats, send an email to the RESCUE COORDINATOR to begin the surrender process. When you send an email in, make sure the subject line contains "rat rescue" or it will be filtered into junk mail and removed. You must include the following information in your email:
1. Your contact information ( Your name and the best way to contact you either by email or phone and the number)2. The rat's information (Make a separate listing for EACH rat you will be surrendering)- Name- Date of birth or approximate age- Sex (also, if the rat is fixed, please be sure to mention it)- Description (be as accurate and descriptive as possible)- Temperament and personality (be as accurate and descriptive as possible)- List ANY and ALL known health history or temperament problems- Source (where did you get this rat from and WHEN you got it)- Resources (what caging and/or supplies will be donated with the surrender of this rat - be as descriptive as possible)- What other rats does this rat live with?3. Are you willing to meet a GARMCA volunteer in Atlanta for the surrender?4. By what date does the rat(s) need to be surrendered by?
