Have you ever had difficulties finding someone trustworthy to look after your
rats when you go away on holiday? Often friends or relatives who would
happily look after a couple of rabbits or gerbils need more than a little
persuading to take a cage or two of rats even for just a few days. Maybe you don't
trust your local petshop to board them, or the only option is a cattery, who will
take rodents but where the staff don't know much about them.
We hope to make it easier to find someone to look after your rats when you go
away. The Rat Sitting Register will do its best to help MRC members locate
other members in their area, who are, generally speaking, willing to rat sit.
Rat sitting volunteers are very much needed. The more of you that volunteer, the
better the chance of success - and the more likely you are to find a sitter
for your own rats when you need one. Rat sitters are, of course, free to place
restrictions, such as the number of rats or the maximum length of time they
are able to rat sit for. Their details will only be passed on to other members
who may be suitable matches.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to find
someone to take care of your rats while you are away, please read the
information below. Most of the advice is common sense, but should be useful when you
are making your arrangements. To volunteer, or to find out if there is anyone
willing to rat sit in your area, please email
.
Deb
Rat Sitting Register
The Midlands Rat Club (MRC) aims to keep a register of names of members who,
generally speaking, are willing to rat sit for other members. By putting
your name on the list, you permit your agreed contact details to be passed to
other MRC members who are looking for rat sitters in your area. If you require a
rat sitter, please contact MRC Rat Sitting Register and we will let you know
if there are any potential volunteers in your area.
Rat Sitters
Rat Sitters join the Rat Sitting Register because they are willing,
generally speaking, to help out other MRC members by rat sitting
Rat Sitters need to provide the Register with their name, address and
phone number, plus any other appropriate contact details such as an email address
Inclusion on the register does not mean Rat Sitters have to accept all
requests from MRC Rat Owners who would like their rats to be sat - they are free
to decline any request for whatever reason they wish
Rat Sitters are free to place any restrictions, such the maximum period
of time they are able to sit for, the sex or number of rats (or cages) they are
able to to care for
Rat Sitters should indicate whether they prefer to rat sit in their own
home, or whether they are prepared to travel (within reason) to someone else's
home to do so
Rat Sitters must keep un-neutered bucks and does separate and must not
allow the rats to mate without prior permission from the Rat Owner
Rat Sitters should inform Rat Owners of any suspected infectious diseases
found among their own rats (including parasites)
Rat Sitters should inform the Rat Sitting Register if their contact
details change, or if they are no longer able to rat sit.
Rat Owners
Rat Owners requiring rat sitting should contact the Rat Sitting Register
in the first instance with basic information concerning their rats, i.e.
number of rats and sex, their own name and geographic location
Rat Owners will be provided with the contact details of Rat Sitter(s) who
fit these basic requirements
It is up to the Rat Owner to contact the potential Rat Sitter - and it is
up to both parties to come to an agreement that suits them both
Rat Owners should inform the Rat Sitter of any known health and/or
temperament issues in advance of rat sitting
Before you Agree to Rat Sit
Points that MRC recommends both parties should consider and/or discuss before
agreeing to rat sit
The number and sex of rats involved
The period that rat sitting is required for
Collection/delivery time and place (if appropriate)
Any special dietary or health requirements, such as medication, special
care or health problems to be aware of
Other issues which may be of concern or relevance e.g. temperament or
unusual behaviour
Feeding and cage cleaning arrangements - such as which party will provide
the food and bedding
Whether payment is involved, or whether the arrangement is purely
voluntary
What to do in the event of rat illness or health concerns, particularly
if a vet visit may be required
Emergency contact details of the Rat Owner and Rat Sitter should be
exchanged if at all possible
What to do if the worst happens and a rat dies (burial etc)
What to do if the rat(s) are not collected at the end of the arranged
time
Disclaimer
Inclusion in the Rat Sitting Register is not a recommendation from MRC. MRC
simply acts to bring members together to help each other with regard to rat
sitting. MRC takes no responsibility for the quality of rat sitting or any of
the arrangements made between parties, and it does not guarantee to find
suitable matches. However, the Register is happy to receive feedback from members
involved - and suggestions for improving the service will be gratefully
received.
