“The
Society of Michigan Rat Fanciers will be continually reviewing informational
rat related sites for content, reliability, ease of use, etc so that
we might provide our members with alternative sources of accurate
and up-to-date information. Periodically, we will add links to these
sources that we feel are helpful, informative, accurate, and educational
so that you will have them available to you anytime. If you have a
site recommendation, feel free to email at
info@michiganrats.org.
We also have started to review sites that provide some service or
product that SMRF recommended. And, we have started to review sites
that are exceptional and fun; those that go above and beyond, and
that we feel our members would benefit from. The sites below are
in order by date they were added (newest first).
With the endearing slogan, "To the
world you are one person. To a rat, you are the world", we were
hooked. April 4 is World Rat Day. It was founded in 2002, and events
all over the country keep it going today. The celebration simply
recognizes and salutes the pet rat. The site features artwork,
slogans, events, and more. Check it out today!
RATS was formed to educate people about rats and teach animal care
professionals about proper care for them, as well. Their goal is to
educate by reaching out to pet shops, vets, shelters, and rat owners
to reduce common health problems in pet rats. This organization is
founded by Debbie Ducommun, the Rat Lady, and SMRF is a proud
supporting member. If you want to get involved, this is an excellent
way to do so. Check out this site!
The Rat Nutrition Guide is a concise and
wonderful tool created by a rattery in Georgia. It's links are both
informative and insightful. It covers the basics from lab blocks to
the addition of fresh foods to supplements to special needs diets.
This is definitely a site to add to your links page, and be sure and
check out the site's recommended links as well.
The Hawthorn Rat Calculator is a downloadable
program from the UK that will allow for basic offspring predictions
based on known genetic information. It is a great program both for
breeders and those learning how the genes interact and how traits
are passed on. From this link, there is also a link to Hawthorn's
rat varieties with some great photo representations. Keep in mind
that these are UK standards, though, so nomenclature may not always
match what you're used to.
For those interested in the purely scientific
end of things, this site is a must in terms of resources. The Rat
Map is the place to go when looking for information on the rat's
genome, associated nomenclature, linkages, and more. This is truly
an amazing project and valuable resource.
This is a site full of lots of fun and
informative stuff from graphics and photos to articles, links, and
memorials. The site has a 'rat crime' area you can't miss either!
Check it out!
This is a site from the LVMA that discusses many
of the basics of rat biology. It is interesting and useful
information we feel could be used as one of many resources.
Although, SMRF does encourage the addition of fresh foods to the
diet on top of the recommended balanced diet. This site also has a
good listing of rat diseases, taxonomy, and history, and is
definitely worth a look!
This is an excellent site full of
information, including toys, games, health articles, breeder
information, and lots of wonderful pictures! There are also some
great pictures and descriptions of rat standards, and don't miss the
fun clipart too!
This is one of the best sites for
everything genetics, but in a practical, easy to use format,
complete with lots of pictures and simple explanations of gene
combinations in rats. This site features information on color, coat,
and body type, as well as articles on inbreeding, sexing, pedigrees,
and more. Very interesting for those not breeding, and an essential
resource for those that are!
Live in Illinois? Interested in
showing your rats in a professional setting? Then, this is the
organization for you. NIRO is another great club that leads by
ethical example, and typically hosts a rat show annually. Definitely
worth checking out!
This pedigree
generator is free, and it lets you produce customized pedigrees for
websites or print. It's easy to use and the results are very nice.
Be sure and check this one out!
This site is an excellent resource for
those of you that have recently lost a pet or know someone who has.
There are links to loss and grief sites, online memorials,
inspirational words of support, and much more. This applies to all
animals, dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, horses, ferrets, and, of
course, rats! There is also a link to species specific ecards to
send to those that have experienced a recent loss. The link to the
rat loss cards is
here. The site also tells us about the familiar story of the
rainbow bridge, and is a wonderful place to visit when the time
comes.
This is SMRF's official store. You can
find items ranging from homemade hammocks and treats, to leakproof
water bottles and toys, to cleaning supplies and food, to gifts and
cards for your self. The store is always growing, prices are fair,
and the profit supports the organization. The store takes requests
too, so if there is something you are looking for, they will be
happy to help you find it! Check it out today!
Most people are familiar with this site, but it deserves to be here
too. Petfinder is another wonderful source for those looking to
rescue or foster. SMRF recommends that you first do your research
before adopting from any shelter, though, and remember the
importance of quarantine. Happy hunting!
This site is truly unique. With the idea in mind that the word 'rat'
has become a derogatory term, this site pitches to change the name
to 'great pointed archer'. The site features some great rat facts,
history of the campaign, games, a petition to sign, webcam, and
more. And, when you visit, you must check out the campaign
commercials...alone, they are worth the visit! There is also a
webstore for apparel and items featuring the site's logo.
This site features logically arranged informational links for all
areas of pet rats, including breeders, clubs, diet, housing, medical
information, toys, games, forums, behavior, and much more. This is
another good place to stop and check out whether you've never had
rats or have had them for years!
This directory is yet
another great resource. Basically, as any directory does, this site
groups and links users to other helpful sites. Categories include
ratteries, rescues, organizations, and general information. There is
also areas that include health, boarding, supplies, gifts, art,
classifieds, personal sites, and much more! This is a new site that
has great potential, and with ongoing updates, it will always be a
new source for whatever you may be looking for!
This is a personal page
developed by someone that is obviously serious about the proper
health care of their own rats and understands the importance of
sharing it with others. So, we wanted to help share it all with you.
This website is very graphic and includes detailed, color pictures
of surgical processes, abscesses, and more. There is also a
wonderful article page on some of the more common rat ailments. The
site even features a vet recommendation page. This site is a special
find, for sure!
Rat Planet is a UK site that we have recently come across that
offers a wide range of ideas and information. From the basics
of choosing, housing, and feeding rats to training, free-ranging,
health, and shopping, this site has a bit of everything. The site
is also full of entertaining images and cute rat pictures, of
course! For those of you with free-range rats or wanting them,
this site is an excellent resource for preparing your home, as
well. Check out Rat Planet! It is well worth it.
The Rat Society of America is a parent organization for rat clubs
in North America, and is dedicated to improving the rat fancy
through standards in showing, breeding, and care, with education
as a common thread. Clubs that are affiliated with the RSA are
of the highest ethical standard and hold the same standards and
goals as the RSA itself. For those belonging to RSA affiliated
clubs, such as the Society of Michigan Rat Fanciers, there is
a forum, member listing, show information, articles, and some
excellent links. Definitely check this one out!
Virginia's Rat Page is another excellent compilation site with
links to all kinds of useful information. Although the site is
no longer updated, one can find a wide variety of topics including
articles, breeding, clubs, lists, FAQs, medicine, merchandise...you
name it! It's definately one to check out that you can find yourself
looking through for months!
The Ratster is a directory of links to rat breeders, personal
websites of people with pet rats, and other informational sites.
The site also includes a forum for finding or posting rats for
adoption. You can browse the site by breeder location, type of
rat, rattery prefixes, clubs, and more. The information is kept
current and is the most complete source of its type. It is an
excellent source of information, and it is also encouraged that
members with websites include their information on Ratster as
well!
RatBreeding.com is a website all about, you guessed it, breeding
rats! Of course, the SMRF advocates rescuing rat in need, but
for those that breed, this is an excellent tool! This site has
a java engine that allows you to predict breeding outcomes. It
is useful to new breeders that still need assistance in the genetics
of breedings or for experienced breeders wanting to double check
their crosses. This site also provides a crash course in genetics
for those wanting to learn about why the crosses produce what
they do, and is complete with coat color photos and helpful links.
It is an excellent tool to have for any breeder and can even be
used for fun by those not breeding!
Rat Ethics is an excellent site solely dedicated to promoting
the ethical keeping, breeding, and raising of domestic rats. This
may be a controversial site with specific ethical goals, but the
ideas and ideals behind nearly everything on this site are a mirror
of the SMRF’s goals and beliefs. The site features its own
code of ethics, discussion group, and article page. The site is
new, but growing, and its foundation is one that definitely is
worth looking in to.
The Rats are People Too site is all about fun and features some
of the best rat photos with the biggest yawn gallery ever! There
are photos of other animals at this site too that are definitely
worth a look. The site has links for rescues, adoptions, articles,
and entertainment to name a few. There are also stories, product
reviews, rat anatomy (a must see) and even how to make a rat harness!
The variety of stuff on this site is literally packed with a seemingly
never-ending supply of pictures and a little something to give anyone
a chuckle!
Fat Rat Central is an excellent site with information in several
areas. When first visiting the site, it is best to use the site
map, which is set up to help guide you through the different areas
of Fat Rat Central. You can learn about the markings and varieties,
the basic necessities to owning rats, how to choose rats and why,
and loads of stuff about interacting with your rats and training
them. Fat Rat Central also has information on breeding and raising
rats, common medical problems, and even includes an FAQ, mailing
list, and feedback form. And, of course, there are wonderful pictures
all over this site. Definitely check this one out!
The North American Rat Registry (NARR) is an online searchable database
of information, providing the most complete records of rats and
ratteries to date. The NARR keeps track of reported litters, DOB,
DOD, health problems, breed standards, etc. Members of the NARR
have free access to search the database for information, breeding
simulations, and registration of rats. Recently, the NARR has even
made it possible for non-members to register rats if those rats
have had genetically linked health related problems like tumors,
allergies, chronic respiratory problems, etc. This database is just
one more way in which breeders and fanciers all over the nation
can connect and follow what is happening in the world of rats. We
encourage everyone, especially those that have rats with health
problems, to register their rats. Every bit of information collected
can make a difference to the future of little rattie friends.
Ratty Rat is a site you could easily spend hours looking at. The
site is divided into a whopping 20 sections! At this site, you can
get ideas for rattie names, crafts, enrichment, and cages. Also,
learn about the rat reputation and folklore surrounding them. There
are memorials, a treasure trove of helpful links, free downloads,
book and toy reviews, photos, stories, etc. And, of course, nestled
in each section, there are educational bits of information like
rat facts, essentials for owning rats, excellent enrichment and
game ideas, and a really nice outlined guide for ownership. At the
home page, you can even view section descriptions, so you know what
each section has and can figure out right where you want to go.
This is definitely a must visit site time and time again! You can
even sign up to get periodic emails as new things are added to the
site.
The Rat Behavior & Biology site is built by a doctor of Animal Behavior
and is extensive in its information, covering several topics of
interest for the beginner to the 'professional'. There are devoted
sections to rat behavior, biology, senses, systematics, health notes,
humor, and wild rats. Every article is full of referenced information
and supplies the educational material in an enjoyable manner. The
website is complete with pictures and sounds, and also features
enrichment ideas to stimulate the natural behaviors of your own
pet rats! This is a must visit for anyone who ever wonders why their
rat does what it does!
The Dapper Rat is nothing short of a website overflowing with a
little bit of everything. You will find wonderful pictures, cage
designs, and products, but what we really love it for is the wealth
of information the site provides. There are several very informative
and fun to read articles on rat care from the traditional questions
like caring for older rats to the more alternative like the “art
of scritching”. This site also features rat ‘fun’
pages full of rat humor, a rat dictionary, rat antics, and an excellent
resource for making your own rat toys to provide enrichment and
variety for your little ones. In addition to all this, The Dapper
Rat has a link page that contains just about any bit of information
you could possibly want to find. The bottom line is that this site
provides information on many levels and does so in a very entertaining
and enlightening way.
The Rat Fan Club website and its founder, Debbie Ducommun,
are invaluable resources for anyone with any form of interest in
the rat fancy. Internationally recognized as a rat expert, Debbie
has founded her organization to share the love of rats, promote
them as companion animals, and spread information about their proper
care. The Rat Fan Club website has information on medical conditions,
nutrition, behavior, housing, and much more. You will also find
information on rescues and adoptions, links to other helpful organizations,
an online forum, and valuable books and merchandise. And of course,
you will find out all about the “rat lady” and her organization.
The Rat Guide is an excellent resource that was developed in conjunction
with rat owners, veterinarians, pharmacists, medical doctors,
and veterinary research universities. The Rat Guide features three
major sections containing a wealth of ever-expanding information
for anyone interested in the rat fancy. The first section is the
Rat Health Guide, a guide to medical and nursing care of rats,
which also includes informative case histories. The second section
is the Rat Medication Guide, which provides guidelines and general
information for the use of medications in pet rats. The third
section is the Rat Care Guide, which is an excellent resource
for basic care and responsible rat ownership.
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World
Rat Day
Rat
Assistance & Teaching Society (RATS)
Rat
Nutrition Guide
Hawthorn
Rat Calculator
Rat
Map: The Rat Genome Database
Rats
O'Hooi
Biology
of the Rat
Rat
Sauce
Spoiled
Ratten's Varieties Pages
Northern
Illinois Rat Organization (NIRO)
Pedigree
Generator v2.2
Pet
Loss: Tracks in the Sand
Society
of Michigan Rat Fanciers Webstore
Petfinder
Great
Pointed Archer
Pet
Info Packets: Rats
Little
Critter Lover's Online Directory
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