Starting up a rat rescue?

I would google search for already established rescues and get in touch with them to find out how they started, what it's like to run a legit rescue, and so on. I'm working to adopt from MRR right now and it's a huge process (but worth it) so i don't know that it would be as simple as you think to actually run the whole process.

How would you perform background checks and would you even know where to start with the screening process? What would you do for quarantine, to keep disease from entering your rescue, considering proper quarantine calls for new rats to be kept in a TOTALLY SEPARATE air space for up to three weeks? What if you need to vet all rats in your rescue, and what about spay/neuter or emergencies that could cost hundreds at a time?

I would be most concerned with the quarantine - every time you bring a rat into the home without doing the three week separate air space quarantine you risk the spread of SDA, Sendai, and gosh knows what else. Any of which could easily wipe a rescue or rattery out. A visual inspection isn't enough to declare health and disease can incubate for two weeks or so. Separate air space means NOT in the same home - even if the rats are in different rooms disease can spread on people or through the vents.

You would also have to check with your town/city hall about what legal requirements you'll need to meet - like filing as a not for profit or a business or what.

Let me start off with, you are amazing! Some things you could make sure you have are a good small animal vet for serious cases and some basic first aid rat tools. If you could you could even maybe use a separate room for the rats being treated with blankets, care items, and some yummy stuff to make them feel secure and happy. Happy to help! Good luck with your rattie care place! Me and my rats Winnie and Stella thank you!