RAT-SITTING > FAQ
Should I bring my own cage?
I highly encourage you to bring your own portable cage. Your rats will be more comfortable in a cage that they are familiar with. I do have a limited number of extra cages, so if you don't have a portable cage, please contact me.
Should I bring my own supplies?
I highly encourage you to bring your own supplies. If you are unable to bring extra litter, food, treats, etc. please let me know so that we can work out an alternate plan for the supplies needed for your rats' stay.
Do you give the rats tap water to drink?
We have 4 filters on our well water. We all drink the filtered well water.
What do you feed your rats?
I feed my rats Harlan Teklad 2014 lab blocks. This is one of the highest quality foods on the market today. I purchase their food from The Rat Shop. I also feed my rats Oxbow Adult Rat Food.
What treats do you give the rats?
Unless you specify dietary restrictions, all rats in the household (yours and mine) get a treat twice a day. Treats range from fresh fruits and veggies to things like oyster crackers, animal crackers, banana chips, Cheerios, or yogies. I mix it up so that they don't get bored. You're also more than welcome to supply your own treats and specify them as alternates to my treats. My treats are provided at no additional charge.
Will my rats get human interaction time outside of their cage?
Of course! I have a large play pen that I let the rats run around in. There's a blanket on the floor under the pen, and another chewed up blanket that they can hide under or chew up more if they so wish. I put toys in the pen for them to climb on and in. I sit with them and play with them while I work on my laptop or watch TV. They love the the time out of the cage where they can run around freely and safely. They get about 30-60 minutes out of their cage most evenings.
Would you be able to pick up my rats from my house? Would you also bring them back to me?
I have some flexibility to be able to pick up and drop off rats for rat-sitting. I charge $1.00 per mile round trip from my home location (97527) for each trip I make to either pick up or drop off your rats. Please contact me in advance if you need transportation services for your rats. Transportation services may not be available, depending on my schedule.
Who do you take your rats to when they need to go to the vet?
I am still working to find a rat vet in Grants Pass.
Will you take my rats to the veterinarians that I specify?
Of course! I will stay in touch with you and if your rat looks like s/he might need veterinary care, I will contact you first before taking them to the doctor. I will stay in touch with you throughout the whole process. If you'd like to talk to the doctor directly, I will arrange for that. I will provide treatment based on your feedback and your cost limitations.
What about in an emergency?
I will do my best to get a hold of you in an emergency situation and you will be involved every step of the way. If I cannot get a hold of you, I will contact your emergency backup person. If no one is available, I will make decisions based on the situation to the best of my ability based on what I would do for my own rats. I will provide treatment based on your feedback and your cost limitations.
How do you handle payment for veterinary services?
Sometimes the vet clinic can charge your card directly over the phone, but if not, any services and treatments that I pay for on your behalf will need to be reimbursed when you pick up your rats. I will provide an itemized receipt for your review. I never charge a mileage fee for taking your rat to the vet.
Do you charge extra to give my rats medicine?
Unlike boarding through your veterinarian, I do not charge extra if your rat needs daily medications.
When do I pay you for watching my rats?
I don't require an advance deposit or advance payment. I prefer to receive payment when you pick up your rats. There are times that you might need to extend your trip, or you might need me to bring your rats home to you which may not have been part of the initial plan, or there may be some other expense that comes up (like veterinary care), etc. It's just easier to do one payment at the end of the rat-sitting visit.
What methods of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, and Square.
My question isn't answered here.
Contact me with your questions! I'd be happy to answer them and I'll add the answers to this page as well.
I highly encourage you to bring your own portable cage. Your rats will be more comfortable in a cage that they are familiar with. I do have a limited number of extra cages, so if you don't have a portable cage, please contact me.
Should I bring my own supplies?
I highly encourage you to bring your own supplies. If you are unable to bring extra litter, food, treats, etc. please let me know so that we can work out an alternate plan for the supplies needed for your rats' stay.
Do you give the rats tap water to drink?
We have 4 filters on our well water. We all drink the filtered well water.
What do you feed your rats?
I feed my rats Harlan Teklad 2014 lab blocks. This is one of the highest quality foods on the market today. I purchase their food from The Rat Shop. I also feed my rats Oxbow Adult Rat Food.
What treats do you give the rats?
Unless you specify dietary restrictions, all rats in the household (yours and mine) get a treat twice a day. Treats range from fresh fruits and veggies to things like oyster crackers, animal crackers, banana chips, Cheerios, or yogies. I mix it up so that they don't get bored. You're also more than welcome to supply your own treats and specify them as alternates to my treats. My treats are provided at no additional charge.
Will my rats get human interaction time outside of their cage?
Of course! I have a large play pen that I let the rats run around in. There's a blanket on the floor under the pen, and another chewed up blanket that they can hide under or chew up more if they so wish. I put toys in the pen for them to climb on and in. I sit with them and play with them while I work on my laptop or watch TV. They love the the time out of the cage where they can run around freely and safely. They get about 30-60 minutes out of their cage most evenings.
Would you be able to pick up my rats from my house? Would you also bring them back to me?
I have some flexibility to be able to pick up and drop off rats for rat-sitting. I charge $1.00 per mile round trip from my home location (97527) for each trip I make to either pick up or drop off your rats. Please contact me in advance if you need transportation services for your rats. Transportation services may not be available, depending on my schedule.
Who do you take your rats to when they need to go to the vet?
I am still working to find a rat vet in Grants Pass.
Will you take my rats to the veterinarians that I specify?
Of course! I will stay in touch with you and if your rat looks like s/he might need veterinary care, I will contact you first before taking them to the doctor. I will stay in touch with you throughout the whole process. If you'd like to talk to the doctor directly, I will arrange for that. I will provide treatment based on your feedback and your cost limitations.
What about in an emergency?
I will do my best to get a hold of you in an emergency situation and you will be involved every step of the way. If I cannot get a hold of you, I will contact your emergency backup person. If no one is available, I will make decisions based on the situation to the best of my ability based on what I would do for my own rats. I will provide treatment based on your feedback and your cost limitations.
How do you handle payment for veterinary services?
Sometimes the vet clinic can charge your card directly over the phone, but if not, any services and treatments that I pay for on your behalf will need to be reimbursed when you pick up your rats. I will provide an itemized receipt for your review. I never charge a mileage fee for taking your rat to the vet.
Do you charge extra to give my rats medicine?
Unlike boarding through your veterinarian, I do not charge extra if your rat needs daily medications.
When do I pay you for watching my rats?
I don't require an advance deposit or advance payment. I prefer to receive payment when you pick up your rats. There are times that you might need to extend your trip, or you might need me to bring your rats home to you which may not have been part of the initial plan, or there may be some other expense that comes up (like veterinary care), etc. It's just easier to do one payment at the end of the rat-sitting visit.
What methods of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, and Square.
My question isn't answered here.
Contact me with your questions! I'd be happy to answer them and I'll add the answers to this page as well.