I got 6 rats from him a little over two years ago. Not one had a respiratory problem despite the fact that everyone around them did, at some point, have respiratory problems (other non-Tony rats). From him I got three girls and three boys (a father/son pair and the father's cage-mate). One of the girls passed away at a little over 2 years of age and the other two are still going strong. The father lived to be 3 years old, his cagemate to about 2.5 years old, and the son we had PTS recently due to an inoperable Zymbal Gland tumor (he no longer breeds from this line). Anyway, the guys and gals were/are really robust. I didn't even have to _see_ a vet with these guys until old age started taking over. You can't beat that.
Again, you can't beat this guy - I've had rats for 9 years and acquired them from a number of places before I found him and he's good. He's a hobby breeder so you don't see 5 billion cages lined up. He keeps his rats in his house (not a barn, shed, or basement). They're healthy, alert, and well taken care of. They have pedigrees that don't link to "unknowns" or "pet store rats."
Breeders generally miss "little things" but not Tony: My fondest memory of my trip to his place was his rat water. Because the faucet water there is sludgy (I guess) he actually had a gallon he filled up and allowed to settle so the rats wouldn't have to ingest the sludge. Most breeders don't care about little things like that, but he did.
And if that's not enough, he's helpful and friendly so if you're not too sure about rat care he'll help you and if he doesn't know how to help you, he'll find out. Quite an insurance policy for a little cheap rat-pet.
-Nat
----------------------------------------------------------------- I too have adopted rats from RaffinHouse, Tony Halm about 4 months ago. A Berkshire and a mink. They are very healthy boys. I also just got a few more from Tony (like 7 few more ).
So that is 9 rats from Raffinhouse (Tony Halm), who are healthy (ages range from 5 months on up). All 7 are extremely sweet and gentle.
I am curious why you would state such a thing about a REPUTABLE breeder in our state? The man is a saint to rats and a God to his adopters.
Diane Keel
KeelzDragonz Rattery
http://www.keelzdragonz.com -----------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sorry to disagree, Tony happens to be one of the best rat breeders in Ohio, I have never heard any complaints about his rattery. He is also very helpful if you have any questions concerning your ratties, We have nothing but praise for RaffinHouse.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK TONY
Sean Tasha Porter
Mansfield, Ohio
RatasticRats@neo.rr.com
http://www.geocities.com/wazzup2001/RatasticRatsRattery.html
----------------------------------------------------------------- Adding my voice to the crowd, I also have had nothing but a pleasant time with Tony and his raffinhouse rats. At first, I was a bit apprehensive to drive all the way from Dayton, Ohio, up to Fremont, but I have to say that was the most 'worth-it' trip in my life, even if it was pouring rain and really lousy weather. A bit over a year ago it was, when I adopted four girls (Two pairs of sisters) from him, one was a pair of dumbo girls, the other dumbo rexes. Tony was extremely helpful and friendly before (and after!! the adoption process with quick and helpful emails about the girls and how well they were taken care of, and gave me all the details I desired. When I arrived (slightly late) at his place, he was totally understanding, showed me around the places he had his rats, and showed me my beautiful girls. He allowed me to handle them and I was very, very pleased. Before leaving, he told me about his normal diet for them, the treats they liked, and everything. My boyfriend and I (he drove up with me) were totally impressed with how he was, how nice his ratty-home was, and everything.
All four girls are still very well, active, and sweet. I've never had rats like these, they're great beyond words, as was the entire experience with Tony (he still keeps in contact with me, which means a lot to me, that he cares about the girls and boys he brings into the world! I've only had one slight problem before, healthwise, with the red-eyed himalyan girl (which I've been told red-eyes get ill easier by some sources), a slight respitory problem which was the fault of my mom; I left the girls in her care for a few weeks while I was in England, and she didn't change the bedding as often as I do. The infection went away quickly after a round of Baytril. Even when she was sick, she acted nearly completely healthy, I just noticed sniffles that my mother didn't.
I Highly recommend Raffinhouse. I've never heard a complaint before about him until someone pointed this out to me, whether the complaint is valid, I don't know. All I know is how tremendously great my experience with him was, and how many 'fans' he has out there. Hopefully you'll at least give him an email or a visit Good luck on your search, iphy.
Jezebel 7
-----------------------------------------------------------------I drove 4 hours from Pittsburgh to adopt 3 rats from RaffinHouse. They are the best and I'm so glad I made the effort to go to a good breeder. The rats are super friendly and we are having a lot of fun together. Tony's also given me a lot of good rat information over email. I highly recommend him.
jkomarek
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I as all but one person on here have had a WONDERFUL experience with Tony at RH... I was living in MI for a few months and before I moved there had contacted Tony to arrange getting babies from him. Over the past year I've heard nothing but praises over him and his rats and I knew they were JUST what I wanted for my breeding program... nothing could have been CLOSER to the truth!!
Tony has been nothing but helpful, friendly and gone WELL above and beyond the call of duty as a breeder and a friend. I've had countless hours of phone conversations with this man and we have both taught each other so much!
As I said we were living in MI for a few months. Tony bred a couple litters specifically so I could get babies to take home- then we ended up needed to leave back to OR two months early. Tony quickly worked out rats for me to take home... very WONDERFUL breeding rats whom I completely adore. Their quality in conformation, color (clarity), and temperament are exceptional. We ended up driving over 3 hours one way to visit Tony one night and he was VERY concerned about us driving in the snow. When we got to his place he was VERY hospitable and showed me all of his rats. I saw colors I've never seen before. (There are hardly any mink based rats in the NW and I hadn't even seen a mink 'til I was in the mid-west)
Tony was also so wonderful to allow me to take home my 'Velcro rat' who also happened to be a favorite of his... I went to Tony's to pick up RH Cirrus, and ended up taking home his sire RH Adama!!
I honestly do not know what I would have done without Tony over these past few months as I've learned so much from him, and he's helped me through so much. Honestly though I only traveled 300 miles to see him I'd GLADLY travel the 3000 miles to see him again if it ever came down to it! Adama, Jubel, Spec, and Sophie are all very beautiful, loving rats, and show just what happens when a knowledgeable, and dedicated breeder gives their all.
Emily Rose~ EaglesEye Rattery
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I can't believe after all these years I finally have my girls...
And OMG DO I ADORE THEM...They are the sweetest lil babies, VERY friendly and
Healthy ratties and I am SO blessed to have them...I got my girls from Tony (RaffinHouse Rattery) over in Fremont Ohio, 192 miles from here...OMG he's SO cool, VERY personable, VERY knowledgeable and VERY willing to help...I really enjoyed myself there, chatting with him and meeting his other ratties...Plus he has other animals (a man after my own heart) lol...And you could see that they ALL were loved and well taken care of..I was very impressed with him :) On the way back I couldn't keep myself from opening their carrier to see their pretty little faces and I had all these rattie noses investigating me...It
was SO good to feel tiny whiskers on my face again :) When we got home I got them settled in and watched them as they bounced around their home, I had forgotten just what a joy it is to watch ratties at play. So now, here I sit with Tashi (my blazed mink variberk odd eye) on my shoulder, a VERY happy rattie mom once again...WHAT could be sweeter to ones heart than that :)
Lisa <:3 )~~~
NOW all I need is 5 more names lol...Plus of course a name for their Garden style home :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Tony, Thank you so much for my two new little cuties, it really is amazing what good breeding can do. I am more than satisfied with them, they are absolute sweethearts, and they couldn't be much more beautiful. I think that the conditions of your rattery are wonderful, you can really tell that you care about each rat individually, and I'm sad to say that I haven't seen that in every rattery that I've visited. Now I know why people rave about you. ;) In comparison to other ratteries that I've been to (where I've seen their actual setup, I haven't at all of them, but I have at most), it definitely was a lot more "homey" at Raffinhouse. I have been to ratteries where they there are cages just stacked in corners, and are hardly even accessible (in these cases, you know the rats in those cages can't be getting the attention they deserve because it is so difficult to get to them). I have also been to ratteries (no names of course) where I felt like I was teaching the breeder things that they were clueless about that I learned before I even brought a rat home. Those kind of things definitely bother me. It was really nice to talk to someone who really knew what they were talking about, and who also cared enough to learn. I can't say all bad things about other ratteries, I have visited some good ones, but honestly, yours is at the top of my list as far as favorites go. The babies are absolutely wonderful, my only regret is that I did not contact you sooner. The ride home went smoothly; Brett kept saying that he wished there were more good ratteries as close as you are (he's not so fond of the 6 hr trips lol). The babies are doing great, they stayed snuggled up in the baby blankets I gave them in their carriers (which are modified rubbermaid storage bins just like the ones that you had for the babies :)). It is hilarious to watch them be little spidermen and walk across the top of the carriers upside-down! The little boy does it the most and he will just hang there until you get him out. lol. When I introduce them to Xerox and AnnaBelle in a few weeks I think they'll be just fine. AnnaBelle was born at the end of June (she came from Silver Fuzz), but she is a very petite girl so I think size-wise they'll be close enough that it won't matter. And Xerox was born toward the beginning of August so the size difference probably won't be too much at all between him and the little "mink" guy. Well, I'd better get going. It was really nice meeting you, and I'm definitely hoping to adopt more Raffinhouse kids in the future. :) Thank you for everything! -Jaime p.s. Of course I'll sign your guestbook! I am going to be really busy over the next few days though, so I may not do it until this weekend, but I definitely will sign it. :) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hey just wanted to tell you how the babies are doing. They are doing wonderful, the baby girls I have in quarantine and the male is doing wonderful with the boys. The boys actually cuddle together and play.
The female American blue smooth coat top ear you gave me is now named azula wich means blue in Spanish.
The male powder blue dumber teddy rex is named stitch from the cartoon Lilo and Stitch.
The beautiful female hairless is doing wonderful, her name is fancy in honor of my best friends mother who adores the name.
So that's about it and i hope to be getting more of my rats from you in the future. hope to talk to you soon. sincerely and loving my rats.......Kala
p.s i have had many complements on the babies i hope that i can get into showing soon. Kala ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Tony,
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know the girls are doing fine and we are really happy with
them. They are the sweetest girls and so curious. You really did a great job socializing them.
Thank you!
Robin Gillis -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Tony,
I adopted 3 boys from you a week ago and I just want to say that they are
fantastic!! I have never had rats so obviously well socialized and
energetic. They are extremely friendly and have a sweet temperment. Though,
they are very mischevious
You have a beautiful house and you keep your ratties in very clean and safe
living quarters. You were also very knowledgable about any questions that I
had. I felt very comfortable adopting these ratties and I will definitely
come to you in the future!
Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Jen
-----------------------------------------------------------------
hello Tony
I just wanted to write and let you know that the girls are doing great. They
have doubled in size, and really darkened up alot. There personalitys are so
different and were having a blast with them. Were transfering them into the
other cage this weekend (have been doing test runs with them and they seem
to have a lot of fun with the different levels). We'll have to get in touch
so i can return the other temp. cage to you. thanks Jami and Noah!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tony,
Back in (I
believe) May, we purchased two female rats from you (Ron and
Sarah Manns, friends of Deb Kozak if you remember us).
You asked us to keep you updated and so we are! The girls are
still going strong and seem to be happy and we couldn't have
asked for better pets! They are good natured, even tempered,
and very affectionate. I take both girls out of their cage
every day and let them hang out with me while I watch TV or play
on the computer. We are both very glad that we got them and
probably will always have rats as pets! Thank you for all.
Sincerely,
Ron and Sarah Manns
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
I am just writing to thank you for what you do! We adopted a pair of rats
from you a year ago this month and we have just totally fallen in love with
them! We will never be ratless again! These girls have been nothing but
sweet! This is the first time we've ever owned rats but it has all went
smoothly havent even had any health problems.
Angie Whipp -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Tony,
I hope all is well with you! My boys are just
GREAT! They have grown so big now... especially Dexter. Clyde is a
little petite, but he tends to be in more control anyways haha. Oh and
the cage has worked out so well! I still use the travel cage too
because they like to go on trips with me to visit family and friends.
I was really interested in adopting some ratties
and I read somewhere that going to a breeder would be my best bet. I
did a lot of extensive research and the Raffinhouse was recommended to
me by a small breeder in Ohio. When I got in contact with Tony, he was
really nice on the phone and really helpful. He gave me a lot of
information and told me to go on his website and pick two ratties from
his recent litter. I picked out a black one (Dexter) and an American
Blue (Clyde) one. Driving 5 hours from Washington, DC (my new home) and
then another 2 hours to pick up my mom to come with me was well worth
the trip! As soon as I entered his house, I knew that I picked the
right breeder. The house was very clean even though he has many
animals! Once I saw my new boys, I was in love. Tony told me that he
kept them together since birth because he knew that I would be taking
both of them.
The boys are so much fun to play with and hang out
with! They are so sweet and now that they have grown up a little, they
are more relaxed, but still curious! They also have very distinct
personalities. Clyde is the "pleaser". He always wants attention from
me and will do everything to get it! Dexter is very mischievous,
always exploring and will always find something new to do. I am
completely content taking them out of their cage for the whole night to
hang out with me and my friends. They are okay just sitting and playing
on the couch next to me. I trust them to not run away - especially
because they know their names and come when they are called (especially
if I have a treat for them!).
I am so happy with my boys and I completely
recommend Tony for anyone who wants smart, healthy, and fun ratties as
an addition to their family.
- Julie
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Hi Tony, sweet little Ribbon
arrived safely today and WOW what a great little girl! She is so beautiful.
Her color is so striking and her face is so cute. And she is an odd-eye! I
just love odd-eyes!!
I have to say in all honesty this rattie is one of the nicest and prettiest
and cutest I've seen in all my four years of breeding. She is tucked inside
my sweatshirt as I'm writing this. She was pulling at my heartstrings, from
"hello." I think we may become inseparable, LOL!
I can't thank you enough for letting me have her. Your ratties are the
greatest!!! They are always so friendly. You do such a good job socializing
them, which is amazing concerning your busy schedule. Kudos to you!! :>)
Take care,
Kat
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hello!!
Just a quick note to let you know that the two boys you sold me are
happy and growing. They are the two beige dumbos my daughter and I
picked up in October. We successfully socialized them with my two older
boys as planned and I bought them a much bigger cage. They are all
pretty much buddies now, the interactions are interesting to watch.
Thank you for providing such happy ratties!!!
Amy Gero
Strongsville OH
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Follow-up Testimonial)
Hi
Tony,
Last
July
I
adopted
3
boys
from
you
(you
called
them
the
Three
Muskateers!)
I
just
wanted
to
let
you
know
that
they
are
doing
fantastic.
They
each
have
completely
different
personalities
and
they
are
so
loving
and
crazy.
When
the
hop
around
during
play
time,
it
makes
me
laugh
so
hard.
Coming
home
everynight
to
them
hanging
onto
the
bars
of
their
cage
with
that
"let
me
out
let
me
out"
look
is
pure
joy!
I
will
definitely
come
to
you
in
the
future
when
I
want
to
adopt
more,
I
just
hope
you
don't
stop
breeding
because
you
are
wonderful
at
what
you
do.
Thanks,
Jen
McGraw
--------------------------------------------------------------
Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that the two females you sold to us (last Sept maybe?) are doing great. They love Reagan and are not shy at all anymore. It’s funny how different their personalities are. One of them (Pearl) is very low key and cuddly, whereas Sophie is much more energetic, and doesn’t have time for cuddling. Anyway, our daughter Reagan loves them to death. Thanks again for all of your help, I just wanted to let you know all is well with them.
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