Before Adopting Your Rats You should have read this complete "Guidebook" to have a thorough understanding on how to care for your rats. You should have bought all the basic equiptment you need. You should know which sex, male or female, you would like. You should know how many rats you would like to adopt. You should have already picked their cage location and have their cage set up. You should have their play area chosen and rat proofed. You should have their vet picked out. You should have an idea of where you would like to purchase your rats from; breeder, pet shop, shelter, or rescue group.