Ratster FAQ

What does it cost me to be listed in the Ratster? The Ratster is a free service to all of the sites/rodentries listed in it. We do, however, offer banner advertising which helps to offset the costs of maintaining the site. The costs of keeping it going are relatively small with so few graphics on the page (that's why there are so few), so the real investment in this tool is the time it takes for us to maintain it. . .to sort through applications and get answers to our questions so we can do the actual updates.

I do not have a site, yet, but I am working on one. Can I go ahead and apply for a listing in the Ratster? If you almost have a website done, if it is "under construction," then we suggest you hold off until it is done and uploaded to send in your application. We will not include listings for sites that are under construction. If you want to do a site one of these days, but it is not in the near future, go ahead and do your application without putting anything in the spot for Site URL.

What should I put for a description of my site/rodentry? What you'll want to put in is two or three sentences about yourself or your rodentry that we can include to help people know what you breed. This isn't an advertisement for used cars (yes, we have gotten descriptions that looked like your last chance to buy at these low, low prices), and it isn't a place for you to make absurd claims about yourself or your animals. Try to avoid cheesy slogans and impossible guarantees. This is for information, not advertising. Also, be sure to proofread before you send because we have neither the time nor inclination to do it for you. Oh, and a reminder, proper names are capitalized (like "Russian" blue-blue is NOT a proper name), but others are not (like "dumbo" and "temperament"). What you write in your description reflects directly on you. People will form opinions about you, right or wrong, based on what you include for your description. Think it through and proofread it, all of it, including the description and your email address. I put it in the way you do. If it is wrong when you send it, it will be published wrong.

A note for those speaking languages other than English as a first language-If you send it to me in English (American or British as there are spelling differences), I would be happy to proofread it for you. I understand your situation, and I want to help. I've done so for everyone who obviously doesn't speak English as a first language, and I will continue to do so-that is the exception. If you want to send me your descriptions in your language as well as English, I will post both descriptions, and I will look over the English version for you. If your website is in a language other than English (or in more than one language) let me know what languages they are, and I will gladly include that in your entry.

What is a prefix? Do I need one? First of all, a prefix is a way of identifying who bred a rat, and if a rat has one, it is part of its name. They are very commonly used in North America and are sometimes used in parts of Europe and Australia. If you are a breeder in North America, you pretty much need one. If most of the other breeders in your country use a prefix, then you pretty much need one. If you just have pet rats or mice, run a rescue or got a rat or mouse from a pet store that was already pregnant, you don't need a prefix. If you are breeding rats (some mouse and hamster breeders use prefixes, as well), and especially if you will be selling them or sharing them with other people, then you do need a prefix. If the rats or mice go out without one, it looks as if they were an accidental breeding from unknown parents (such as when you get one from a pet store), and anyone who gets the rat or sees it in a pedigree will not know who to contact with questions about it. It is also a good idea to have a prefix on it for registration purposes. For instance, there are many rats named "Splash" in the NARR database. Many of them have prefixes that differentiate which one is which. The ones who don't can be very confusing.

How do I choose a prefix? If you are breeding, then you'll want to choose a name for your rodentry as well as a prefix. You may want to breed under your name. Run a search on the internet, and check the prefix page of the Ratster to be sure the name hasn't already been used. You can also check with various registries and clubs to be sure they don't have a record of the rodentry name (or one very similar) that has already been used. Once you have chosen a unique name for your rodentry, you will want to choose some initials to represent it or to represent your name-that is your prefix. It can be up to four digits long, but it needs to be unique. Again, check the prefix page of the Ratster to be sure it hasn't already been used. That listing isn't complete, but it's pretty darned close! Be careful when choosing your name and prefix and choose what you will stick with for the duration-there is no valid reason to change your rodentry name and prefix. . .aside from hiding from a stalker. Otherwise, you just look like you can't make up your mind. Personally, I don't want to work with a breeder who is flighty/can't make up their mind/changes their name and goals on a whim. I expect that others don't want to either. If you send in an application with a rattery name or prefix that is already being used, I will most likely file the application away for reference without including it in the directory.

On the form, you refer to color/type specialties. What do you mean; I breed lots of different types? That field is where you will list what you want to be known for, what you have the most of in your rattery. Many breeders have a few traits they specialize in, that they are focused on. These are what go into the page for breeders listed by specialty. For instance, SRR breeds mostly Siamese, Burmese and Russian blue with some dumbos. In working toward that goal, SRR also produces self, blacks, standard ears, etc. SRR also works with some satins, blues, pearl merles and marked rats in variegated/dalmatian and downunder, but SRR specializes in Siamese, Burmese and Russian blue rats with some dumbos. SRR's specialties are those four traits. That doesn't mean there aren't others. Those traits are the specialties of the rattery. Landmark specializes in black, Russian blue and Siamese selfs. They also breed for blazes, satin and dumbo as well as some other color dilutes. If I am a pet owner or a breeder looking for exceptional Russian blues, I might look to see who specializes in that trait. Both ratteries along with others will show up in the list.

What if I am not a member of a rat or mouse organization? Then don't put anything there. There's nothing wrong with that. You may find, though, that even if you have been breeding for years, these organizations do have lots to offer you-friendship, a place to share ideas and ask for help with problems, a way to show your animals as well as an outlet for placing rats in responsible homes. There is no need to include your titles with these clubs; just put in the name of the clubs you belong to and/or their acronyms so they can be included in your Ratster entry.

Do I have to put in my real name as contact? You don't have to, but you should use whatever name people know you by. If you aren't comfortable filling in your last name, just use your first. If people know you by a nickname, fill it in instead. They'll use this name to address you in an email to you about your rodents.

What's with all the email address fields? The first one probably won't show up on your form when you send it in, but it probably will show up as the return address. The second field, "email address for listing," is for if the first one didn't show up or for if you want a different address in your listing (for people to use to contact you). Fill in both of them even if they are the same. The third field, "email address if you're not the contact," is for if you are submitting a neat site you found while surfing to the information page or for if you are a webmaster submitting a site to various directories and search engines for the owner.

Is this a trick question? Aren't some of those shipping methods illegal? Well, this is a screening process, in a way. All of these methods are valid to some breeders, even if some are illegal. Do your research before you answer the question, and make absolutely sure you are willing to use the methods you check before you check them because people will ask for them. If you answer the question "wrong," you may be excluded from the Ratster indefinitely.

How do I send in updates or changes to the information in my entry? You can either do a whole new application including the new information or you can send an email to the webmaster with who you are (rattery name and location) and the information you want changed. We do updates every time we add new entries which is about every week or so.

Why are all these explanations so wordy? Elisabeth wrote them.

Where can I read even more stuff like legalese and policies? Try this link: Privacy and Policies

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