Homing Process

• Esprit and Gemini are two independent ratteries, each with our own distinct practices, principles and ethics, however we agreed that for convenience of our locations, we would share a waiting list and therefore, a joint application form. 
  
  
• If you wish to be considered for future litters, please make sure you have read the following pages:
  Are Rats Right For Me? and Basic Rat Care Guide before completing the kitten application form.
  
  
• Not all of our rats will be available to homes as some will stay to continue our lines. We are working towards variety standards so will assess our rats suitability for breeding/exhibition and for pet homes as the weeks go on.
  
  
• The process of allocating kittens and finding them loving homes has recently changed. In an effort to make things simpler and more efficient, Esprit and Gemini have decided to do away with the traditional waiting list system.
  
  
• Instead of using a waiting list, we will now be using our Facebook group to provide real-time updates on available kittens. 
  
  
• Our Facebook homing group is only accessible to past, present, and prospective pre-approved owners of Esprit or Gemini rats. So if you are new to Esprit or Gemini and interested in homing any of our rats, you will still need to go through our usua application process.
  
  
• Once approved, you will be invited to join our Facebook homing group and be part of our waiting pool, where you can stay informed about upcoming litters and available kittens.
  
  
• If you aren’t a user of Facebook, please let us know in the ‘Extra Information’ box at the end of the application form; we will then make a note to contact you when kittens are available, via your preferred contact method instead. 
  
  
• Our ratteries are closed!! This means we do not allow ‘viewings’. This is to protect ourselves & our rats. We will post plenty of photos & videos of our litters on our social media page and we are happy to send updates of your rats once we have allocated them to you.   
  
  
• Rats will not leave us until we feel they are ready to. This is no earlier than 8 weeks. If we feel that any rat is smaller or less developed than they should be, we will continue to hold the rat (including their allocated companions) until we are happy with their progress. We will, of course, inform you if this affects any rats that we may have already allocated to you.
  
  
• Collection of your rats will take place from the age of 8 weeks, unless otherwise stated.
  
  
• If your rats are not collected on the date and time that has been arranged, without sufficient notice or you do not respond to any messages, we will take that as you are no longer wanting the rats and will re-allocate them a new home. We will try to make contact twice by your chosen contact method (selected when completing an application form).
  
  
• The wellbeing of our rats is very important to us and it is our decision as to who we home them to. This may include asking you a series of questions further to your answers on the application form, or asking you to elaborate on specific answers, in order for us to feel comfortable with you as a potential pet home.
  
  
• We consider various factors when agreeing the allocation of kittens to their new owners; such as temperament, compatibility with their companion rats and how well we feel they will fit into their potential new family.
  
  
• Once we have chosen our keepers and allocated any rats going to other breeders, we make the final decision based on what we believe will be the best match for any particular homes and we reserve the right to refuse to home to you if we feel it is not in the best interests of our rats. 
  
  
• Once the rats leave our care, YOU as the new owner are responsible for their wellbeing, including covering the costs of any veterinary fees.
  
  
• If you are no longer able to care for your rats that we have bred, please message us. We operate a 'no questions asked' policy and we will either take the rats back or where this may not always be possible, will help to find them a new, suitable home.
  
  
• It is beneficial to both us as the breeders and to you, as potential owners, to answer any questions we may ask as honestly as possible. We are not trying to test you, and questions are not set to ’catch you out’. It is important that we understand your level of knowledge of rat care, husbandry and ethics so that we can quickly identify if there are any areas that we can help you with.
  
  
• If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.