Wait List Policies
- How does the wait-list work?
All adopters must complete a Wait-list and Adoption Application for the type of pet they’re interested in. About once every 1-2 months we will post an album listing all available rats and mice for adoption. At that point the entire wait-list will be notified via text or email. For the first 2 hours after an adoption album has been posted, priority will be given to wait-listed adopters. Priority is given in the order that applications have been sent in. For example, if someone submitted their application in January and requested to adopt the same animal as someone who submitted their application in February, priority will be given to the January applicant. Once that 2 hours is up, adoptions become first come, first serve. While all adopters will still need to fill out adoption applications, the first person to request an animal will be able to adopt it. This should hopefully decrease wait times overall and allow those who are ready to adopt the ability to do so quickly. - Why join the wait-list?
Filling out an application ahead of time ensures that you will have priority on placing reservations for the first 2 hours. We typically post preview photos of litters several weeks before they're available to adopt, so if you see a preview photo of a litter you really like, filling out an application is the best way to ensure you have a chance to pick your desired pups. Our adoptable animals are typically reserved very quickly. - I joined the wait-list, but the pet I wanted was reserved by someone else?
Priority is given to those families that have been on our wait-list the longest. After each round of adoptions, those applications that have been fulfilled are removed from the list and those still waiting are bumped up in priority. So you will have a better chance in the next round. - I sent in an application a few months ago and adopted a pet. Do I need to submit another application if I want to adopt another one?
Yes you will need to fill out a new application. Reservation priority will be determined by the new application and not the original. - I would like to adopt, but won't be ready for several months. Can I still submit an application?
Yes, phone text notifications are good for 2 rounds of adoptions. Email notifications may continue until animals are adopted or a removal request is made from the adopter. The application will hold your place in line and you can reserve as soon as you're ready to adopt.
- How far in advance can I submit an application?
Please do not submit applications more than 6 months in advance.
Reservations
- Is a deposit required for a reservation?
No. We don't currently require deposits for joining our wait-list or placing a reservation. Payment is typically due in cash at the time of pickup. - How do reservations work?
Once you request an animal and your request is confirmed, a reservation is placed on that particular animal. In the case of baby rats, your reservation is good for up to one week past their target go home date. For all other animals your reservation is good for up to two weeks from the date the reservation was placed. If you're unable to pick them up in that time frame, a non-refundable board and care (hold) fee must be paid to continue to hold the reservation. Otherwise the reservation will be removed and they'll be made available to other adopters.
Adopters have 1 week to schedule their pickup appointments after placing their reservations . If no appointment is made the animals will go back up for adoption.
Unfortunately, due to multiple incidences of animals not being picked up after holds were placed, we're no longer offering holds for animals without a confirmed pickup date. - How much is the board and care fee for a hold?
For rats it's $5 per rat per 1 week extension. For mice it's $2 per mouse per 1 week extension. Extensions are granted by the week and not by days, so if you need to hold an animal for an extra three days, you will still need to pay for one full week.
- Are there any animals ineligible for holds?
Yes. In most cases holds will not be granted on male mice as they must be housed alone and we don't typically have the space to house large numbers of lone bucks. - I need to cancel my reservation and reschedule.
We understand that things come up and will typically accommodate one pickup cancellation per order. If you must cancel please let us know and be sure to re-schedule a new pickup time within 1 week of your cancellation. If a new pickup date has not been set within one week the reservation will be removed and they'll be made available to other adopters. Unfortunately we can't hold animals indefinitely without a set pickup date. - What are you adoption prices?
Tailed standard sized rats are $25-55 each
Manx (tailless) standard sized rats are $100+
Dwarf rats are $60+
Mice are $15-25 each - How old are the animals up for adoption? Can I ask for a specific age?
Mice
The mice we list for adoption are of various ages. The youngest we adopt out mice is 6 weeks of age. Most of the younger mice listed are between ~8-12 weeks old. All of our breeding mice only have a limited number of litters before they're adopted out as pets, so we also list retired breeding mice that are often 6-12 months old. These are usually some of the best examples of their varieties, the easiest to handle, and the most even tempered.
Does that are past 8 months of age are typically labeled with "PET HOME ONLY" status at the time of adoption. We don't recommend breeding does over 8 months old. Bucks may continue to sire litters throughout their lifetime.
If you're looking to get breeding animals or a pet of a specific age range, please let us know at the time you place your reservation so we can match you up with the best candidate.
Rats
Our rats are typically 8-12 weeks old at the time of adoption. We occasionally have older rats available. Usually older rats will be specifically labeled with "Adult". - Can I adopt a lone rat?
Rats are very social and require companions of their own species for their happiness and wellbeing. We do not adopt rats out as single pets. Even if you have some (same gender) rats at home, we highly recommend you adopt at least two at once. For health reasons we recommend all rats or mice being adopted go through at least two weeks of quarantine prior to being introduced to any resident rats or mice, and that is too long for babies to be in isolation. In some cases introductions to adult rats at home may prove difficult and require some time for the babies to get a bit larger for safety. For those reasons, adopters requesting to adopt two or more babies will be given priority in adoptions over anyone requesting a single rat to add to their mischief. - Can I adopt a lone mouse?
Female mice must be adopted in groups of 2 or more. Male mice may live alone as single pets or with groups of females for breeding homes.
Delivery and Transportation
- Where are you located?
We're located in Lemon Grove, California. - Do you offer shipping?
At this time long distance shipping is not available. Delivery is available to locations within 200 miles of our farm in Lemon Grove, CA. Please see our locations served page for more details. - I am traveling from far away and will be in San Diego for a brief window. Can I adopt a pet?
While we are happy to accommodate the adoption requests of travelers, please understand that we have a wait list so upcoming litters may not be available to you at that time unless you join our wait-list in advance. You should plan to notify us of travel plans at least two months in advance and fill out an adoption application at that time. Last minute requests will only be able to choose from the available mice/rat album if the initial wait-list 48 hour hold time is up. - Can you deliver mice/rats to my home?
We usually meet at a public establishment nearby, preferably a pet store in case there are any last minute items that need to be purchased. Although, curbside delivery is also available to homes within 200 miles of our farm in Lemon Grove, CA. - Can I visit the rats and mice to pick out the ones I want?
For the health and safety of the animals we operate a closed mousery/ rattery. Our animals are health tested and in order to protect them from human and rodent transmitted illnesses we don’t allow visitors. Additional pictures and information is always available upon request. - Can you bring multiple animals for me to choose from at pickup?
Because our animals are health tested and their well-being is a priority for us, we only transport animals from the farm if they will be adopted that day. Any animals returning to the facility must be quarantined for a minimum of two weeks and during that time they would be unable to be adopted. For that reason we don’t typically bring extra animals to exchanges. - How far away can you make deliveries?
Local deliveries are available anywhere within 200 miles of Lemon Grove, CA. - When are you available to make deliveries and exchanges?
We are typically available after 6:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and anytime on the weekends. Our schedule varies week by week and we may have other events to attend and deliveries to make so please check in advance.
Please Note: Same day pick-ups can be arranged, but only on a case by case basis. Please contact us and confirm availability if you would like to pick up within 24 hours to ensure that we're able to meet your request. - Is there a delivery fee?
Yes. Our regular pick-up location is local to us in Lemon Grove, CA. We are happy to accommodate requests to deliver to other locations in Southern California, but there's a fee to cover the cost of gas & travel supplies. Our delivery fees are currently $1.25 per mile. Multi-stop discount delivery routes may be arranged and may be as low as $40 per stop depending on interest.