Welcome to Happy Go Lucky Rattery (HGLR)

     A little about myself, and how we got involved with rats:
It all started in July of 2005, when I rescued a little white rat from one of the neighbor kids. I fell in love with her right away. My husband had a couple pet rats when he was a kid, but that was over 30 years ago, and he didn't remember very much about the care for pet rats. So we both went to the internet, did all kinds of research, and realized what wonderful pets rats can be. We ordered an appropriate cage, aspen shavings, water bottle, (the works). Only one thing missing - a playmate. We thought about going to a breeder, but decided to "rescue" one from the clutches of a pet shop. We actually found a little Black Capped Dumbo. We took her home, set her up in a temporary cage in the other room, and waited the 3 weeks before we introduced them to each other. It worked out great, our original little white rat was so happy, jumping all over the place and playing with her new friend. I saw such joy and excitement in this little girl, I decided to name her "Happy".

     Since then, we started going to some rat shows put on by AFRMA, and we joined the club about two months later. We decided that we wanted to breed and show Dumbo Rats. We even registered with the Rat Registry under the name "Happy Go Lucky Rattery" in honor of our first baby girl Happy.

     And that my friend, as they say - was the beginning of the end. As of June, 2008 we currently have 37 rats, and 2 available litters.

     My breeding program is based first and foremost on temperament & health. Then, on the general build (conformation) of the animals. Color and pattern will be secondary considerations. Overall, I strive for the same thing all breeders are striving for, a healthier, friendlier, more beautiful rat. I currently am working with Wheaten, Russian Blue, Agouti, Black, and marked rats, in Standard, Rex, Velveteen, and Dumbo.

     Our litters will never be placed as feeders or research animals. I sell to individual private adopters, never to stores. I will allow families/children to adopt, as long as an adult takes responsibility for the rat's welfare. Rats are always placed in pairs or groups unless there is a good reason not to (like a rescue that is aggressive to other rats) or the adopter has other rats. I practice strict quarantines. My rats will ALWAYS be my pets first and foremost.