SFR Breeding Contract

This is a copy of the contract you will need to sign upon getting breeding rats from me. You MUST agree with and abide by all of these terms if you are getting a breeding rat from me. If you'd like to discuss something with me feel free, but otherwise this is very strict and must be followed. I have seen way too many careless breedings done in my time, and feel this contract is very important for the well-being of the rats, and also to further improve the rat fancy as a whole, which should always be the key reason to breed at all.

Silver Fuzz Rattery Breeding Contract

Description of Rats Applicable To: ______________________________________________________________

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[ ] Male Rat - Male rats must be bred no earlier than five months of age. Closer to a year of age is more ideal, as by then the rat's health and temperament (after puberty) are fully known. You may speak to me personally about exceptions, though. There is no specific retirement age for male rats, so long as the animal is happy and healthy. There is no limit to the number of times a male rat may be bred, provided his offspring are sound and healthy and no problems have come up with him or in the line.

[ ] Female Rat - Female rats must be bred no earlier than five months of age. They must be bred for the first time no later than 14 months of age, provided her health is absolutely stellar. No female should be bred at all at a later time than a year and a half of age. No female should be bred more than three times throughout her life, allowing significant time for rest between each litter. If a female has difficulty with her first litter (rough birthing, losing most or all of the babies, having just one stillborn baby, etc) she must NOT be bred again. Litter problems are often repeated and rebreeding may result in the death of the female.

APPLIES TO BOTH GENDERS

• I must be notified of health problems if they appear in the rat or the rat's offspring. These may include, but are not limited to, severe respiratory problems, tumors, aggression, bumblefoot, birth defects, birthing issues, or megacolon.
• The rat will not be bred to a rat from unknown lines without first discussing it with me personally.
• The rat will not be bred to a rat known to produce megacolon babies, or a rat highly likely to produce megacolon babies. If you are unsure, please talk to me.
• Neither the rat nor the rat's offspring will ever be dumped or used as food for another animal.
• Breeding rights to this rat may not be transferred to anyone else without talking to me personally.
• I will register or have you register the rat with the NARR. I encourage the rat's offspring and all future generations to also be registered with the NARR. Please update the NARR should any health or temperament issues arise.
• If I haven't worked with you as a breeder in the past, I require that you contact me about which rat you intend to breed my rats with to get my approval of the pair BEFORE you put the pair together. This is to ensure that my lines continue on a path I feel will improve them further.
• Before breeding this rat, please check the NARR to make sure no health or temperament updates have been made to the rat's line that may mean changing said breeding necessary. This includes parents, grand parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings.
• Should a Manx (Tailless) female ever come up from my lines, she will not be bred! Breeding Manx females is considered too risky and may result in their death.
• Always breed with the betterment of the species in mind. This includes health, temperament, type, and all other characteristics of the animal. Breed only to another rat of equal or better quality.
• If the rat is bred against any of the above terms and the breeding was not first cleared with me, I will take this as a forfeit of contract and both the rat and the litter will be returned at the adopter's expense.

BREEDER'S SIGNATURE: ________________________________________________

ADOPTERS SIGNATURE: ________________________________________________

DATE: _______________________________________________________________