You edited your post as I typed, but I'll keep it as-is anyway.
No, not everyone starts with pet store rats. In fact, it's becoming more and more popular to either rescue rats from a rescue or shelter (much to my happiness!), or adopt from an *established* breeder. I've had many first-time rat owners become rat parents recently by adopting from us.
It is a bit concerning to see "Whispy Wiskers Rattery" and "Owner or WWR", and then see questions such as, "I just don't get the pedigree part?". As Julia explained, breeders are proud of the guidelines they follow, the education and experience, etc.
Anyone can call themselves a breeder/rattery, but not everyone can live up to the expectations. Many... most, perhaps... breeders don't label themselves as such, until they've mentored a good long while with an established breeder.
So I suppose, the problem here that people are seeing is...
You say you run a rattery.
You don't know how to sex animals (or, you say, you forgot).
You don't know the basics of genetics.
You don't know anything about high whites.
You've never heard about megacolon.
You don't understand pedigrees.
You insult breeders who've worked hard to remove all traces of pet store rats in their lines.
You seem to believe DISCOURAGING (which is not bashing) pet store rats being bred is something negative.
And yet, you, again, label yourself as a rattery, and claim you've been mentored. And, I'll take a leap and assume, you've bred rats before?
Can I ask what rattery mentored you?
Here's the thing in the rat community, that's VITAL to remember for all breeders and rescues alike:
The rat community, is pretty close-knit. The same people travel in the same circles. People talk. If you're not legit... It's found out. If you're doing something you shouldn't be (breeding pet store rats, for example), you're found out. You won't last long. Word travels so fast.
So how you present yourself in the "rat world" is pretty important. Especially first impressions. Your first impression here... Was a bit suspicious.
Now... The rats are adorable, I'm sure you'll have no trouble placing them. It's admirable that you took them in. Crazy that you paid for them, though.

However, having dealt with megacolon myself in a surrendered litter, I hope you don't have to deal with it.
