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I Used to Wonder Why You know how some company websites make it strangely difficult to find a direct email address and instead direct you to a contact form? I used to wonder why. As a customer, it often felt like an unnecessary barrier. Why not just let people email directly? It seemed like it would be simpler for everyone involved. After running Forest City Rats, I understand it completely. People Often Reach Out Before They Read When I built the Forest City Rats website, I

Why Prevention Starts Before Pregnancy One of the most common phrases I hear in the rat world is: "It was an accidental litter." Sometimes the rats came from a pet store. Sometimes a rat was misgendered. Sometimes there was an escape, a free-roam mishap, or an unexpected pregnancy discovered weeks after bringing a new rat home. While I understand why people use the term, I don't actually believe in "accidental" litters. Unexpected litters? Absolutely. Unplanned litters? Every

As we head into the summer months, I wanted to share an update on what is happening at Forest City Rats and where my focus will be for the remainder of 2026. This summer, I anticipate dedicating a significant amount of my time, space, and resources to rat and small pet rescue. While ethical breeding remains an important part of my long-term goals, rescue needs are currently high, and I am in a unique position to help. A Planned Pause on Breeding Many people have noticed that

Yesterday, I published a new resource on the Forest City Rats website: Pet Care Financial Support Guide At first glance, it might seem like an unusual project for a rat breeder and rescue to create, especially since the guide is primarily focused on cats and dogs and covers veterinary financing, assistance programs, food banks, low-cost clinics, emergency hospitals, and local rescue organizations. But the reason behind it is simple: I built it because I see this problem every

After checkout, you’ll see an order confirmation/thank you page on our website. If you paid online, you’ll also receive an emailed receipt. If you choose to pay at the door, your receipt will be sent after payment is completed at pickup. You will then receive a series of automated emails, including: Pickup Information What to Expect With Your New Rat(s) Rat Bring Home Guide Please take a moment to read through these carefully, as they contain important information to prepare

There are a lot of different ways people choose to operate ratteries. This isn't a criticism of every breeder who does things differently, but rather a look at the standards and practices that define Forest City Rats. These are some things you'll never see here. Rats Outside for Photos, Playdates, or Social Visits Our rats do not go outside. Not for cute photos. Not for public meet-and-greets. Not for playdates with unfamiliar rats. Not for social media content. Outdoor envir

Forest City Rats has always operated differently from many ratteries. I've intentionally kept the process simple and accessible. I do not require lengthy applications, invasive questionnaires, references, home inspections, essays, or excessive barriers for people wanting to purchase rats. However, while I don't require applications, I also do not allow anonymity. You can thank a couple of rat breeders from Windsor and Chatham for that policy, after they decided being honest a

Hantavirus is currently being talked about more in public health news, and if you're a rat owner, it's easy to see those headlines and immediately spiral a bit. Take a breath: this is one of those situations where a little education and basic caution go a long way, not panic. Statistically, everyday respiratory viruses like COVID-19 or flu are far more common risks than hantavirus exposure from properly kept pet rats. This blog breaks down what hantavirus is, how it spreads,

I don’t want to keep operating Forest City Rats at the same scale or level of public visibility that it has grown into over the last couple of years. This isn’t a dramatic announcement, and Forest City Rats is not disappearing. I still love working with my rats, raising thoughtful litters, and connecting the right animals with the right homes. What is changing is the amount of public visibility and constant online activity surrounding it. Going forward, I plan to substantiall

Friendly Reminder: Respecting Boundaries Means Respecting “No Contact”. Being blocked by someone is a boundary. It’s not a puzzle to solve, and it’s not an invitation to try again from a different angle. If someone has chosen to block you, that is a clear signal that they do not want further communication. Using an alternate account, a different platform, or any indirect method to re-establish contact doesn’t change that. It only crosses the boundary that was already set. As

Stop telling me how gross you think rats are. You wouldn’t walk into a dog breeder’s home and say, “I hate dogs, they’re disgusting,” so don’t do it here either. You also wouldn’t go into a bakery and announce you think bread is “gross,” or tell a tattoo artist you hate tattoos while they’re working. You don’t go into someone’s space, especially someone’s business, and insult the very thing they care about. It’s basic respect: if you don’t like something, you don’t need to ma

Money can feel like a tricky topic when it comes to animals. There’s a common assumption that earning a profit automatically means being greedy or unethical, but that’s an oversimplification. At the same time, the opposite idea, that not making a profit somehow proves ethical breeding, is just as flawed. You may have seen breeders emphasize that they don’t make money, often framed as: “I do this for the love of the animals, not for profit.” And while the intention behind th

I didn’t plan to keep writing about this, but the situation didn’t really end when I issued a refund. It just made something clearer. There’s a difference between misunderstanding and a pattern. And once you see the pattern, it becomes very hard to ignore. Imagine my surprise to see the same breeder (please read Part 1 if you haven't) using yet another Kijiji profile to sell rats they breed. They are now also looking to rehome their dog because "they're not home enough and ar

Rats are one of the most misunderstood companion animals. Despite being intelligent, social, and affectionate, they are often judged based on myths, fear, and outdated assumptions. This post breaks down some of the most common misconceptions and what the reality actually looks like. “Rats are dirty animals.” This is one of the most persistent myths about rats. Domesticated rats are actually very clean animals. They groom themselves regularly throughout the day and often groom

Dumped Domestic Rabbits I didn’t expect to walk away from helping a rabbit rescue feeling this frustrated. I live nearby, and when I saw a Facebook post about abandoned domestic rabbits, I didn’t hesitate. It was around 9 PM, the start of a thunderstorm, and I geared up and started walking their way with food just to see if I could spot them. Brian said absolutely not, we are not going outside looking for rabbits in the dark/storm. But when we arrived, and he saw the little s

Considering getting pet rats? Not sure if you're ready? Not sure if they're right for you? Here are some questions to consider! Household / Environment Do you have a safe, quiet space for a cage that won’t be exposed to direct sun, drafts, or smoke? Is anyone in your home allergic to small animals or concerned about rodents? Are all household members aware and on board with having rats? Do you have a plan for noise, smell, and daily interaction needs? Is your living situation

I’ve taken time to reflect on how Forest City Rats operates and where adjustments are needed to keep things running smoothly. I’m someone who is always growing and evolving, and if you were to ask my former boss (hi Dave!), they’d tell you that efficiency has always been a core part of how I work. I’ve watched too many ratteries start up and eventually close, often due to burnout, unsustainable expectations, or a program launched without proper planning, consideration, or edu

I want to share an important update regarding my delivery services. Starting April 1, 2026, Forest City Rats will no longer be offering delivery. My initial goal was to discontinue out-of-town delivery in 2027; however, the continued rise in fuel costs has required me to implement this change earlier than planned, while also discontinuing both local and out-of-town deliveries. I did not make this decision lightly. I originally kept my delivery area intentionally wide becaus

Something that shouldn't exist, and shouldn't be a trend, but here we are. Every year, I brace myself for this, but this year, it feels like it started early. Easter hasn’t even happened yet, and my Kijiji and Facebook feeds are already filling up with rabbit listings. “Free to good home.” “Can’t keep anymore.” “Looking to rehome ASAP.” "Moving and can't take with me." "Adorable rabbits in time for Easter!" I’ll be adding screenshots here because, honestly, you have to see it

If you follow Forest City Rats, you may have noticed that I’ve started being more open about my experiences, both the positive and the challenging ones. That transparency is intentional. Over time, I’ve also reached a point where I feel confident enough to speak openly when something genuinely questionable or shady happens. Maybe it’s turning 30, maybe it’s the growth of the rattery, or maybe it’s simply the experience that comes from being in this space for a while. But a bi