Blackstaff Rats is the name of the rattery owned by Antonia Swierzy and Paul Robinson.
Rats make wonderful pets when they have been carefully bred and well-socialised.
Rats go through a critical developmental period between the ages of two and six weeks, with the period between weeks two and four being the most important. We put a great deal of time and effort into socialising our baby rats, and make sure that each rat kitten learns to enjoy human company. This is why we screen all potential new rat owners before we let them take our babies home. Rats are social animals, and although they love human company, they need the company of other rats and are miserable when kept in solitary confinement. The Pet Rat Information Leaflet explains in more detail why it is important to provide rats with ratty playmates.