Adoption Contract
Pie Town Rattery Adoption Contract and Liability Waiver
2023
We appreciate your choice to adopt a rat from Pie Town Rattery! We are dedicated to breeding affectionate, friendly, healthy rats and we achieve this by dedication of time, energy, and intensive planning and research. We aren't just about bringing rats into the world, though. We are also dedicated and passionate about matching our pups with their perfect forever homes.
The following contract has been drafted to ensure clear communication between you (the applicant) and myself (the breeder) in regards to long-term care for any rats you adopt.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Deposits, Payment of Purchase Price and Refunds
Before the release of the adopted animal to the Applicant, the entirety of the listed and agreed upon price must be paid in full to the Breeder.
The following acts will result in the forfeiture of deposit and rights to any rat(s):
- Failure of Applicant to complete the purchase of the rat(s) for any reason, or
-Failure of Applicant to pay entirety of listed and agreed upon price within (7) days prior to the adoption date.
- Failure of Applicant to pay the deposit (50% of listed and agreed upon price) within 24 hours of claiming or being offered the rats.
In either event, Breeder shall be free to adopt the rat(s) out to any other party.
In the event that the rat(s) are not available due to sickness, death, or any other circumstance owing to the fault of Seller, Applicant’s deposit will, at Applicant’s option, be either refunded or transferred to a future litter of rats.
Beyond that all deposits are non-refundable and no refunds will be given if the Buyer decides they no longer wish to have the rat(s) at any time.
Exceptions to the non-refundable deposit:
If, at any time, the Breeder decides the Applicant is no longer an approved adopter they will be removed from the wait list and at the Breeder’s discretion be refunded. The following acts will result in removal from the waiting list with no refund:
Lying
Dishonesty
Breaking contract
Abuse of animals
Neglect of animals
Applicants who have placed deposits for future litters will be promptly refunded in the event the Breeder closes the rattery, stops breeding operations, or begins a hiatus of at least 6 months.
Exceptions to the refund policy may be made at Breeder's discretion in the event of a major, unexpected life event for the Applicant.
In the event an Applicant puts a deposit down for a specific variety and that variety becomes unavailable, the Applicant will be given the option to choose another variety or be removed from thw waitlist with a full refund.
If, at any time, the waitlist sytem is revoked, all of those who have paid a deposit to be on it will be given the choice of a refund or an adoption credit.
All travel fees/expenses are non-refundable for any reason unless the Breeder is at fault and can not meet the agreed upon plans or the rat(s) can not be made available for any reason.
Breeder’s Representations and Warranties
Breeder represents and warrants to Applicant that:
Breeder is the legal and true owner/breeder of said rat(s) and that Breeder has full right and authority to adopt the said rat(s) out to new homes.
Breeder guarantees the following:
Rat(s) are as described
Rat(s) are the correct variety
Rat(s) are at least 6 weeks of age and fully weaned
Rat(s) are the correct sex
Rat(s) are in good health and free from
parasites,
mange,
ringworm,
mites,
lice,
fleas, and
respiratory ailments (new home sneezes are expected as rat(s) adjust)
Females are not pregnant,
and said rat(s) were bred by the breeder
Within 48 hours and by the Applicant's sole cost, Applicant may have their rat(s) examined by a licensed veterinarian for a full health check. If any rat(s) fail the examination, Applicant may return the rat(s), with a written statement from the veterinarian, for a full refund of the rat(s) or exchange for a future rat. In any event, all vet fees are covered solely by the Applicant. This warranty is nullified if Applicant waits longer than 48 hours post delivery/adoption to complete a veterinarian examination. If the Applicant chooses to keep said rat(s), no replacement or refund will be given and all medical costs and treatment are the sole responsibility of the Applicant and the health guarantee will be null and void.
Lifetime guarantee against congenital defect or disease. If at any time during the life of the rat(s) they develop a detrimental condition that dates from the prenatal or fetal state, you may return it and the rat(s) will be replaced. You must have documentation from a licensed veterinarian.
This guarantee does not apply to tumors, Mycoplasma or respiratory issues which may be caused by overall care and husbandry. It does not cover abuse/neglect or any improper care. The Applicant agrees they have thoroughly researched the health and care of rats before adoption and understands how that care will relate to their overall health.
Applicant is always responsible for all medical costs of their rat(s). This guarantee covers only the original Applicant and is not transferable.
Applicant may return the rat to the seller at any time if they can not give it proper health/veterinary care. Breeder will treat and/or humanely euthanize said rat(s) if need be to no cost of the Applicant. In doing so, Applicant forfeits all rights and possession of the rat in doing so. Applicant will not be considered for future rats for a time period of (5) years if they have been unable to care for previous rats through end of life.
The Breeder will take back possession of the rat(s) at any time for any reason during the rat’s lifetime. Breeder will not issue a refund or provide another rat as a replacement to the Applicant and Applicant will not be approved for future adoptions for a time period of (5) years.
Fitness of Purpose
These rat(s) have been bred to perform as a companion animal (a pet). The rat(s) were sold under a PET ONLY/Non-Breeding contract.
Rat(s) are not to be used as barn hunts, food for other animals or in any situation that may put the rat in harm’s way or having the rat(s) kept outside of the Applicant’s home without written consent from the Breeder.
If Applicant chooses to keep any rat(s) as a classroom pet, they understand and accept full liability for any accidental damage caused by said rat(s). Applicant also understands and accepts full liability for any bites that occur within the classroom. Breeder will not be held liable for any actions of said rat(s) kept as a classroom pet.
Applicant’s Representations
Applicant represents to the seller that:
Applicant agrees to quarantine their new rat(s) if they currently own rats, as well as quarantine any new rats they bring into the home. The definition of Quarantine for this purpose is: to separate and isolate to prevent the spread of disease, including bacterial infections, viruses, fungi and parasites (both internal and external). Quarantine must be in a separate rat free location or share no airspace and maintain a persistent quarantine environment. No shared airspace or handling between rats. The minimum quarantine must last 3 (three) weeks. If Applicant chooses not to provide quarantine, it is at their own risk and will make the health guarantee null and void.
The rat(s) will reside with the Applicant as a companion pet to Applicant and Applicant’s family. The rat(s) will reside indoors in a safe and proper temperature controlled environment.
Applicant acknowledges that they are allowed to keep pets and rats at their current home. Applicant either owns the home or has written consent from their landlord/Owner of residence, and that it is legal to own rats and/or these varieties of rats at their location. Applicant has consent to own rats from everyone in the household so that they will not be forced/asked to re-home them.
Applicant will keep the rat(s) in a proper well-ventilated cage of adequate size. Cage bars need to be no larger than ½ inch wide. No aquariums, crittertrails or all plastic cages. Keeping your rat(s) in any inappropriate cage will make the health guarantee null and void. If Applicant misrepresents the cage wherein they will be housing said rat(s) they will forfeit the possession of the rat(s) at the Breeder’s request without refund. Applicant will not allow the rat to live free range without the use of a cage or free range without supervision.
Applicant will provide proper bedding for their rat(s) within their cage. Proper bedding means aspen, kiln-dried pine, sani-chips, or hemp.
Applicant will provide a clean and healthy environment for the rat(s). Applicant will keep the rat(s) cage clean, safe and secure.
Applicant will provide the rat(s) with nutritious proper food and will provide clean fresh pure water (no added extras such as but not limited to vanilla, vinegar, vitamins, or food coloring without Vet instruction) in a proper water bottle.
Applicant will always provide necessary veterinary care for the lifetime of the rat(s). Necessary care means they will seek treatment for any major injury or illness and that the rat’s quality of life will always be high. No rat will be allowed to suffer without treatment.
Applicant agrees that rats are highly social animals and need companionship from other rats of the same sex (or a spayed/neutered rat of the opposite sex). Applicant acknowledges that they, other people, or other species do not replace the companionship of another rat and that keeping a rat alone or in a cross-species environment is neglect. Applicant agrees that if at any time they are unable to provide a cagemate for their rat they will return the rat to the Breeder. Applicant agrees that they will always provide their rat(s) with a same sex or a spayed/neutered rat of the opposite sex cagemate except in these few circumstances:
The rat’s cagemate has recently passed and the Applicant is actively looking to purchase a new cagemate,
or the rat or the rat’s cagemate has had an injury or is recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery and needs to be kept alone in a temporary hospital cage to recover.
Applicant agrees to never house the rat(s) in a cage or enclosure with animals of any other species.
Applicant is not acting as an agent for any other person or business in the purchase of the rat(s). Applicant agrees they are not purchasing said rat(s) as a gift for another person (outside of point (i)) Applicant has given correct and truthful contact information.
If Applicant is purchasing the rat(s) for their children they acknowledge that a pet is a huge responsibility outside of a child’s sole care. Child will mean anyone under 18 years of age. Applicant agrees that it is to be a family pet and that they, as the adult/parent are responsible for the rat(s) care for the entirety of their life.
Applicant will not sell, give, release the rat(s) to a pet shop, retail store, animal testing facility, research facility, or any agents of any such business or facility. Applicant will not sell, give, release, or re-home the rat(s) to any other person for the entirety of the rat’s lifetime without written consent by the Breeder.
In the event that the Applicant can no longer care for or provide the rat(s) a proper home, they agree to return said rat(s) to the Breeder and forfeit all ownership. Returning the rat(s) will be at the Applicant’s expense and responsibility. Breeder agrees to take back possession of the rat at any time.
Applicant acknowledges that the rat(s) are being sold under a PET ONLY/Non-Breeding contract. Applicant agrees to be responsible and never house unfixed rats of mixed genders together, never allow play dates or any interaction between males and females who are not fixed. Applicant will make absolutely sure of the sex of any new rats before placing them together. Applicant will make sure that all cages and enclosures are absolutely secure and that rats are unable to escape and interact. Applicant acknowledges that they are responsible for all of their rats and will not allow unsupervised access to children or others who may mix the rats up.
In the event that said rat(s) are bred either on purpose or accidentally, Applicant agrees to return the rat(s) and any babies born at the Breeder’s request and at the Applicant’s expense. The Applicant may receive their adopted rats (not the offspring) back if and only if they arrange for the rats to be spayed/neutered at the Applicant's expense.
Applicant acknowledges and consents that if they break any part of this contract by breeding (on purpose or accidental pairing) or through neglect or abuse, the Breeder has full discretion to share the Applicant’s name/location and all correspondence to other breeders, groups, and even publicly to warn and inform others of irresponsibility for ther sake of all pet rats.
Applicant acknowledges that the rat(s) they have received are the rat(s) they agreed to purchase. By accepting the rat the Applicant agrees that there are no obvious health issues or concerns such as no scabs, wounds, injuries, infestation, or respiratory ailments.
Applicant has read, understands and acknowledges the liability waiver.
Entire Agreement
This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties. Breeder and Applicant have made no other agreements, promises, representations or warranties, express or implied, unless specifically stated in this Agreement.
By signing here you, the Applicant agree that you have been informed of everything in this contract that pertains to your specific purchase on the date listed below by the Breeder (Corey Taylor/Pie Town Rattery). You agree that you had any and all questions and concerns answered and were of sound mind at the time of signing this waiver and contract. By signing this you did not purchase under false pretenses and fully acknowledge the consequences outlined in said contract about doing so.
Liability Waiver
It is important to understand that your pet rat can be a vector for diseases. Your rat may or may not show symptoms of these diseases but can still transfer them to you. Many of these diseases do not affect a healthy human adult but for those with immunocompromised systems, including but not limited to: children under 5, pregnant woman, the elderly, those on immune-suppressant drugs, or with viral infections, rats may need to be reconsidered as pets.
This is true of all pets. Taking on any pet, even cats or dogs can pose health risks. Always be smart and if there is an animal bite or scratch from any pet seek medical advice, even more so if someone is a child, pregnant, elderly or have a lower immune system.
I, the breeder, Corey Taylor (Pie Town Rattery), am fully informing, you, the adopter, on this date of the risks of owning pet rats, and you, the adopter hereby, accept the risks of owning pet rats and release, I, the breeder, Corey Taylor (Pie Town Rattery), of any liability associated with owning pet rats.
As of this date, May 2024, I have no concern over health issues. At this current time to the best of my ability I ensure all of my rats are free from health issues.
I do my very best to ensure the health and safety of all my animals. I do have a proper quarantine system in place for all new animals coming into my home, though quarantine may not catch some viruses as the animal will not show symptoms. I do not handle wild animals and my home is pest free.
The nature of these viruses and the ease in which they can be spread just from the environment, clothing, being in an area that has wild rodents, etc… means that I can not guarantee that at any moment my rats have not been infected though. And you must understand the risk that they can easily become infected through these methods by you and your family as well.
Below is a list of the zoonotic diseases and the symptoms that may be carried by pet rats.
Seoul Strain of Hantavirus
Seoul Virus is a type of hantavirus commonly associated with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Symptoms appear with one to two weeks and in rare cases up to 8 weeks.
Symptoms include:
Intense Headaches
Back and Abdominal Pain
Fever
Chills
Nausea
Blurred Vision
Later symptoms include low blood pressure, acute shock, vascular leakage, and acute renal failure. In rare cases, it can be fatal.
Seoul Virus is transmitted through the feces, urine and saliva. The most common transmission happens when feces, urine, or saliva is dried into dust, the dust particles fly up and we breathe them in. Seoul Virus cannot be spread from person to person or person to rat.
To prevent infection, wear a mask and gloves when cleaning cages, do not use a vacuum or sweep dust particles into the air, spray down any bedding before moving it, wash your hands before and after handling your rat.
Rat Bite Fever (Streptobacillus moniliformis)
Rat Bite Fever or Streptobacillus moniliformis is an infectious bacteria. Contrary to its name, Rat Bite Fever is found in more than just rats: mice, hamsters and gerbils can also carry it. Symptoms appear within 3-10 days of infection but can take up to three weeks.
Symptoms include:
Fever
Vomiting
Headache
Muscle pain
Joint pain
Rash
In rare cases without treatment, rat bite fever can be fatal.
RBF is transmitted through a scratch or bite from a rodent, handling rodents with the disease, even if they do not bite or scratch you, and through ingesting food and water contaminated with rodent feces. It is not transmitted from person to person.
To prevent RBF, regularly wash your hands, wear protective gloves when washing cages and avoid putting your hands in your mouth when handling your rats and cleaning their cages.
Salmonellosis
Salmnellosis or salmonella is a common disease which most people associate with undercooked chicken. All common pets can carry salmonella in their digestive tract including: dogs, cats, rats, mice, rabbits, lizards and snakes. Salmonella infection can occur in humans and the animals.
Symptoms for humans include:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Abdominal Pain
For the immune-compromised, the symptoms can be life threatening
. Symptoms are rare in small animals but include diarrhea that contains mucus
or blood, lethargy, and they may vomit or have a fever. Prevention of transmission to humans includes making sure you buy animals that appear healthy, animals with severe diarrhea should be avoided. They should be bright eyed and an active. Always wash hands after handling an animal and avoid eating or drinking around your pets. If you do become infected, rarely is hospitalization required, the treatment is just lots of fluids while the bacteria moves out of your systems. Symptoms should fade within 5-7 days.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacteria called leptospiria.
Symptoms include:
High fever
Headache
Chills
Muscle aches
Vomiting
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Red eyes
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Rash
Some infected people never show symptoms. They will become sick between 2 days to 4 weeks after exposure. If the first symptoms progress a person may experience kidney or liver failure or meningitis. The second part of the infection is called Weil’s disease.
People can become infected with leptospirosis through contact with urine or other bodily fluids
(not saliva through) and through contact with water, soil or food contaminated with urine of infected animals.
Prevention of transmission includes avoiding urine of infected animals, wash your hands after handling, do not eat or drink around your pets. Be sure to vaccinate your other pets against leptospirosis as well.
You agree to the risk associated with pet rats both listed above and those not listed and hereby will release Corey Taylor (Pie Town Rattery) from any and all liability of owning a pet rat.
Applicant Date Breeder (Corey Taylor, Pie Town Rattery) Date
