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Boardwalk :: Forum List Breeding and Babies General Breeding Discussion
MrsTiggyWinkle
User
Posts: 13
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Click here to see the profile of this user 		New Breeder - 2008/05/06 13:58 My boyfriend and I are working on our first website for breeding hedgies as a hobby and we are working with small numbers to start off. We have had at least one litter a year for a while now for friends and family but we have a lot of friends of the friends now asking us for babies so we decided to up it to 2-3 litters last year and all went well.

This next batch we are expecting will be our first experience with 'open' selling of them. Several friends have urged us to so we figured we'd give it a shot. I have personally had pet hedgies since I was only 14 so thats well over a decade now (not that I want to give away me old age lol)
I just worry some about who all will end up getting them from us. They are in demand in this area but I would hate to see a new owner buy one of our babies only to put him up on CraigsList or someplace the next week?
I know we aren't comfortable with dealing with shipping any babies yet.

If any breeders have any good advice or 'screening' tips/suggestions for us to help us with possible buyers we'd be happy to talk to you! I haven't had the need to use contracts or much with our past buyers as they all ended up being people we knew well enough: neighbors, family, etc.
I just want to feel like I am doing everything I can to make sure our babies go to good homes where they will be loved pets! 'Oh, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle! If only all hedgehogs could do house work!'
http://www.freewebs.com/texashedgehogs/
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Stasi
Admin
Posts: 634
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Click here to see the profile of this user 		Re:New Breeder - 2008/05/06 15:23 Most breeders start by having a questionnaire for potential buyers to fill out. This actually is a good tool to screen out the really bad homes, and while it's not 100% fail proof, it's a good start. Second thing most do is have a contract that the buyer signs agreeing if, for any reason, the hedgehog doesn't work out the buyer will alert the breeder so the breeder can take back the hedgehog and find an appropriate home.
Other big deal is to make sure you are starting with pedigreed, healthy animals as your breeding animals. Stasi
Terrapin Hedgehogs
Joppa, MD
www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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MrsTiggyWinkle
User
Posts: 13
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Click here to see the profile of this user 		Re:New Breeder - 2008/05/06 16:28 I was concerned with the fact that I am in the state of Texas. My boyfriend works at SMU law and he is supposed to try and find more info for us too through there and several of our law student friends we hang out with. I just was worried about people trying to resell my babies to pet stores or commercial breeding programs without our knowledge by possibly using the 'right to work' part of our state law.

I have a loose questionnaire put together and contract I'll post here later tomorrow for feedback if folks don't mind helping me out!
Do you think it's reasonable to ask that all hedgehogs be returned to us in any event that the owners don't want/ can't keep them anymore? I know the Siamese rescue I got my cats from had me sign something similar for them? 'Oh, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle! If only all hedgehogs could do house work!'
http://www.freewebs.com/texashedgehogs/
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Stasi
Admin
Posts: 634
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Click here to see the profile of this user 		Re:New Breeder - 2008/05/06 17:01 I think it's completely reasonable to require relinquishment back to the breeder if the buyer changes their mind, or can no longer care for the animal. Stasi
Terrapin Hedgehogs
Joppa, MD
www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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MrsTiggyWinkle
User
Posts: 13
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Click here to see the profile of this user 		Re:New Breeder - 2008/05/07 17:48 Here is what I have so far for a questionnaire. Let me know what you think of it, hopefully I'm not missing anything too important!


*Legal Full Name:

*Address:

*State/Zip:

*Phone: Mobile:

*Email: Website:

*Birthday mm/yyyy:

*Name and phone number of a veterinarian you have previously used for your pets: *Does he/she treat hedgehogs?: (y) (n)

*Have you owned a hedgehog before? *Do you currently own a hedgehog already?

*If you do already own hedge hogs, how many do you have?

*If you get a baby or rescue pet from us are you intending to use it as a breeding animal?

*If you get a baby or rescue pet from us are you intending to resell it in a commercial store or online?(Craigslist counts!)

*If you are at any time unable to care for a hedgehog obtained from us will you agree to sign a contract that states you will return it to us willingly?

*Do you smoke in your home? *Who is this baby being purchased for?

*Do you have any young children in your home? If yes, how many and of what ages?

*Will you agree to provide a baby from us with adequate care as outlined in an owner's adoption agreement to be issued at time of pick up?

*If you are a first time owner are you willing to answer a brief quiz on hedgehogs and their care for us?

*Do you have air conditioning and central heat in your home? *Have you ever given up a hedgehog in the past for any reason? If yes, please explain.

*What is the best time to reach you by phone? 'Oh, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle! If only all hedgehogs could do house work!'
http://www.freewebs.com/texashedgehogs/
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CandJ327
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Posts: 453
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Click here to see the profile of this user 		Re:New Breeder - 2008/05/07 21:13 MrsTiggyWinkle Wrote: *Have you ever given up a hedgehog in the past for any reason? If yes, please explain.

I am not a breeder but I would suggest asking if they have given up a hedgehog OR any pet in the past and if so why?

They may have never owned a hedgie before but may have had other pets they've abandoned or surrendered in the past?

Post edited by: CandJ327, at: 2008/05/07 21:15

Post edited by: CandJ327, at: 2008/05/07 21:15 Ava's mom!
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Julie Pierce
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Posts: 1033
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Click here to see the profile of this user 		Re:New Breeder - 2008/05/07 21:39 I have found that the form I started with evolved over time and that most likely will be the case with you as well. Meeting different people and running into different situations usually leads to refinement in what you look for and ask for when screening customers. For instance, I was finding that a lot of college students were applying so I added a question asking if they lived in a dorm. I know personally that there are a lot of students that sneak in animals when there are policies against them. If they do reside in a dorm, then I need a letter on official letter head of the school from the RA stating that they are allowed to have pets in the dorm.

It may also be helpful to you to take a look at other breeder's websites to get an idea of what format, information, etc you would like to add to your website. I also strongly urge you to find a breeder (preferably somewhat close by) that is willing to mentor you. It's always good to have someone to turn to when starting out. good luck Julie Pierce
Pierce's Pogs
http://www.piercespogs.com
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Boardwalk :: Forum List Breeding and Babies General Breeding Discussion

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