Elevating Animal Welfare in Tasmania

There is a concerning gap in the Tasmanian pet industry: a lack of education regarding small animal care, and the ongoing prevalence of unethical breeding practices that prioritize volume over welfare.

​

The Problems:

​​

• The "Disposable" Mindset: Rats and other small animals are frequently treated as impulse purchases

• Lack of Proper Husbandry: Misinformation about cage size, diet, and social requirements often given out by pet stores has led to widespread health issues and preventable suffering.

• Unethical Sourcing: The absence of rigorous, transparent breeding standards has allowed rodent mills to operate unchecked, providing the public with animals that often arrive with compromised health or temperament.

​

Our Solution

We founded this rattery as an initiative of Launceston College originally as an education tool for our students, but it has since evolved to fill a need of shifting the local culture of rat ownership. 

​

1. Ethical Breeding Standards

We operate in direct opposition to the "mill" model. Our breeding program is slow, intentional, and strictly focused on health, temperament, and longevity. We do not mass-produce for profit. Every litter is raised with the specific goal of producing stable, happy companions.

​

2. Mentorship as the New Standard

We believe that the adoption process should be an educational journey. We don't just want to sell animals; we want to help mentor new owners. By providing comprehensive resources and ongoing support, we work to ensure that every owner is equipped with the knowledge and the confidence to navigate the realities of rat care, from their first day to their last.

​

3. Educating the Next Generation

As a student-led initiative, we are guiding the next generation of animal care professionals. We teach students the importance of professional husbandry and the ethical responsibility that comes with being a breeder. These students are the future of animal welfare in Tasmania.​

​

Why This Matters

Our program is more than a rattery; it is a demonstration that ethical, transparent breeding is a viable and necessary service to our state. By providing an ethical source of animals and education to adopters, we are raising the bar for animal welfare. We aren't just here to provide rats; we are here to provide a foundation for a healthier, more informed community of rat owners.