Question:
I was reading through the Controversial Pet Issues section, or whatever it's called, and came across the issue about why there are so many breeders.

As some of you know, I've been breeding Fancy Rats for several years now, and hopefully will never get caught up in breeding my Chins. Do I want to see little baby bunnies? Of course I do! Do I want to play with them and love their cute little selfs to death? YES! But honestly I can't think of a single reason why I would choose to breed. There are plenty of Chin breeders around anyways, I have so much on my plate already, and other than loving the animals why do I need to go beyond just loving them and breed more of them?

The answer for me is no, and though babies are totally cute I'll leave the breeding to the professionals. But just out of curiosity, why do YOU breed? First and foremost I don't buy the whole "Breeding for the betterment of the animal" bull****. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't breed with the intention of "bettering" certain traits, and paying close attention to health. But I hardly believe for a second that ANY person in the world looks at an animal and goes "I have a vocation in life. And my soul is telling me to breed animals with shinier coats." I believe "bettering the breed" is a responsibility that comes with breeding, after you have found a reason TO breed.

So what is YOUR reason??


Answer:
Just out of curiosity, why do you breed ratties?


Answer:
Ah, the topic that has been plaguing my mind for the past three months.
In all honesty I will most likely not be breeding again after this coming litter (if Petunia is actually pregnant or not). I began breeding for myself, because I bought my first Dumbo female from a petstore, and found out she was pregnant afterwards.

I was then swept up into a world where I learned the genetics and history and health info of my rats. I joined clubs and felt like breeding was informative. I felt like I was "adding to something" whenever I had a healthy and beautiful litter, though that something has become abstract. What am I adding to? Making good healthy animals that can go on to good homes, or be added to soemone elses breeding stock in order to help them breed healthy animals? Well, there are enough healthy animals around, and there are many non-breeder animals that need good homes.

I then told myself that I was breeding rats to educate people away from the idea of them being dirty vermin. To let others know that you can own great pets that are lovable and sweet. So that next time they see one in a movie or a petstore they won't cringe. But then that has ended, because you can well educate others without breeding.

The more and more I try to make sense of it all, the more it comes down to I just enjoy my rats, and want others to love them as well. Is that a good reason? To love an animal, think they are wonderful, and want to promote them? Want to find good homes for them? I'm not sure, I honestly don't know.

I think I'm asking this question of the forum because I'm not sure myself why breeding has such an appeal, and the more I think of it the more I dislike taking part in it. The more I feel like someone taking animals and planning out their lines against their wills, and breeding them for no reason other than my own personal pleasure and sense of well-doing. I'm trying too.... I don't know. Understand myself and what my views on breeding really are anymore.


Answer:
Have you ever thought about maybe starting a rat rescue or doing Outreach (passing out leaflets or setting up tables where you can educate the public)? I don't mean to get off topic, it just sounds like you are frustrated, but you want to help rats in some way. Starting a rescue and fostering homeless rats, as well as finding them good homes and educating people, would be a great way to help. I have a friend in IN who has a rescue in her home. She has found homes for soooo many rats and mice. I know its a lot of work, but it brings her a lot of joy and helps many needy animals.


Answer:
that actually makes sense

sometimes we can see more about ourselves if we look around at others...

it sounds like you are talking yourself out of breeding and that isn't a bad thing, really. like you said, there are plenty of animals out there!

i would LOVE to have babies around..but i just can't see myself breeding...what i'm hoping to do, eventually, is maybe have a half-way adoption for pregnant females, adopt them, nurse them through delivery, get them and the babies altered (i'm thinking mostly dogs and cats here) and then find homes for them..then adopt another mom to be.

that way, i get to be around the babies, i get to experience the birth and baby periods, but i'm also helping out without adding to the problem..the moms are already pregnant, and i would only take them in as a rescue situation, i would never buy a dog or cat like that. then take care of them, sell them for vet fees (so i don't end up TOO deep in the hole! lol)

i want to run a pet store, so i'm thinking what i'll do is have the pet store for food, supplies, and have a database of sorts for reputable breeders and rescue agencies, and then on the side have the dog/cat rescue, and sell the pups/kittens in the pet store..well, from the pet store...more of an adoption thing where the adoption fee would cover the veterinary costs put into that dog/cat, and each puppy/kitten would come with certification saying what it has had done, what it cost, and so on.

ok so this is still really in the planning stage lol


Answer:
That's why I foster kittens.. so I can enjoy the little ones but don't have the added expense.. Fostering is very rewarding as well.
Starting a Rat Rescue is a very good idea... then you could contact your local animal shelters and offer your services.. either to foster pregnant rats until they are ready to be placed for adoption.. OR thye may just hand them over so you can wean them and re-home them yourself..


Answer:
I do not think I would ever want to breed, too much responsibilty for me. I love animals and enjoy babies but would drive myself crazy wondering and worrying about them. I will just live vicariously through others with babies.

I truly think after the chin babies arrive next month, Scott and I will truly be finished with new additions. Our little home will be complete and not to mention full

Suzoo, this is probably a ? you always get because you foster so much, but is it truly ever hard to let go ?? Do you have the fosters that tug at your heart strings? I couldn't imagine letting go, ( then again, I become SO attatched to everything he he)


Answer:
Originally Posted by RossGirl
Suzoo, this is probably a ? you always get because you foster so much, but is it truly ever hard to let go ?? Do you have the fosters that tug at your heart strings? I couldn't imagine letting go
There are definately some that I have a harder time taking back..
BUT.. I made up my mind long ago that I'm at my limit and everytime I think I've fostered THE cutest or sweetest kitten and if I let this one go I'll regret it.. along comes one a few months later that I think the same way about..
I just keep in mind that there are SO many cats & kittens everyday that need to be fostered that by me adopting another cat.. I'm taking away a space in my home for a cat in need.


Answer:
[quote=RossGirl]I love animals and enjoy babies but would drive myself crazy wondering and worrying about them. I will just live vicariously through others with babies.
QUOTE]

I can atest to worrying and wondering about pregnant moms and then come the babies to worry about, and then finding them a good home. I also have been contemplating recently how I got into breeding chins....it all started with a male that wouldn't live with any males and didn't do well by himself so I got him a girlfriend. It snowballed from there and I kept justifying it in my head that I was bringing the joy to new homes that I experienced when I got my chins from our breeder.
But as time went on, and I got so stressed out and my herd grew b/c I couldn't part with certain kits, it hit me one day that I just wanted to enjoy the furries I had and let the women go into retirement

Once I made that decision, I felt a huge weight lifted off of me. I can spend more time with the chins I have and don't worry anymore about complicated births, finding homes etc.
I will say I miss meeting new people...I made some awesome friends through breeding and the kits I sold are spoiled rotten in their homes. I did bring joy to other homes but it was time to bring joy to my house again (meaning that I wasn't always stressing about everything). It was an amazing experience and one that I would never take back but for myself, I need to just be an owner


Answer:
I agree with everything Amanda said. I have only had a few litters from two of my females and with the exception of one litter, I kept one kit so I had a "part" of the female and male I bred. After Tweety's litter of kits, I was agonizing over the fact of finding good homes for them. Some of the responses I got from one of the ads I posted scared the crap out of me. I keep thanking my lucky stars that Teresa is getting my two males and I am keeping the little girl. I guess I have very high standards as far as where my chins are going and that is why I have a difficult time finding homes for them.