About the NFRS
Aims and objectives
What does the NFRS offer pet owners?
Rat Shows
Buying Rats
Recommended Vets
Rat Rescue
Contact Information
The Committee and Management of the NFRS
Join the NFRS
The Society's aims listed in its Constitution are:
- To promote the propagation, study and exhibition of fancy rats
- To publish the definition of the true type as the only recognised and unvarying standard by which fancy rats shall be judged, and to adopt standards relating to the various varieties
- To urge the adoption of the standards of excellence upon breeders, judges and show committees as the only criteria of merit in breeding and awarding prizes
- To support shows and take all necessary steps to advance and protect the interests of fancy rats as exhibition animals and pets.
- To foster and maintain a high standard of excellence in judging and show management.
- To educate and encourage members to adopt and maintain high standards of management and care of fancy rats.
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What does the NFRS offer pet owners?
The NFRS is the best way to find out about the latest in rat care in the UK. Its journal, Pro-Rat-a, is published every two months and has articles on health care, housing, breeding, showing, and tips and stories from people who keep pet rats. It covers a wider range of topics, and tips and stories from other people who keep pet rats provides more up-to-date information, than any book can offer. Members are encouraged to write letters for Pro-Rat-a, both to make their views known, share their own experiences and to ask specific questions. When you join the NFRS, you are put into contact with a network of rat experts with the society.The NFRS also has a members only forum here.
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Rat Shows
The NFRS holds regular shows throughout the country, where you can see many different varieties of rat and talk to other rat keepers. At each show there are competitions not only for recognised varieties, but also for the best pet rat, which is judged on friendliness and condition. Any rat which is friendly and healthy can compete in the pet class, whilst only those which are good examples of recognised varieties should be shown in the variety classes. The show secretary of each event (listed in Pro-Rat-a) can advise you on which class to enter. Special rosettes are awarded to the best junior exhibitor in both the variety and pet sections.When you attend your first show, introduce yourself to the show secretary and do ask if you would like to meet someone specialising in a particular variety. Shows usually start some time after 10.00am, and rarely finish before 5PM. If you are exhibiting, it is a good idea to arrive at least half an hour before judging starts. If you are just coming to look, it is best to turn up after judging has started, when things are less hectic. Rats are exhibited in standard 'show tanks', so that the judge cannot tell who owns each rat; this means that first-timers are judged on the same basis as established breeders. Show results, with comments from the judge, are printed in Pro-Rat-a.
More information about shows and showing can be found here.
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Buying Rats
If you are looking for new rats, it is far better to buy them direct from a breeder than from a pet shop. This enables you to ensure that the animals have been handled from an early age and are well socialized, and that both they and their parents are friendly and healthy. The NFRS keeps a register its members who are breeders. The breeders register is kept by Estelle Sandford - send an e-mail to breeders@nfrs.org or an SAE to Estelle at the address in the front of Pro-rat-a or c/o NFRS, PO Box 24207, London SE9 5ZF asking for details.Breeders advertising on the register should adhere to the NFRS General Guidelines for Selling Rats. The kittens they are selling should be healthy and friendly, but are not necessarily of show or breeding quality; when contacting a breeder, please let them know if you are looking for rats to show or breed or have any other specific requirements.
The NFRS cannot accept responsibility for sellers and buyers who make contact through the Register, as in most cases the members of the Committee do not know the individuals concerned. If you are a breeder and wish to be added to the register you can find more information here.
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Recommended Vets
There are a few resources that may help find a vet in your area.Cavy rescue recommended vets
RCVS Find-a-vet will help locate all the veterinary practices in your area
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Rat Rescue
The NFRS is not a rescue organization, and does not have the facilities to act as a clearing house for homeless rats. However, many members take in homeless rats on an individual basis, and most breeders seem to have a number of waifs and strays. Although the NFRS is not able to take in homeless animals, it aims to reduce the need for rehoming by educating pet owners and encouraging them to take responsibility for their rats. Breeders should make sure that they do not sell rats to people who do not take their responsibilities seriously.Back to top
Contact Information
Please remember that all Committee members are unpaid volunteers working in their spare time, so it may take a little while to deal with your queries.Non-members and postal enquiries should send a large, stamped, addressed envelope to:
NFRS,
PO Box 24207,
London
SE9 5ZF
The PO Box address is intended to be a permanent address for the Society, and should be used in articles in print.
Alternatively you can email the NFRS.
New members join for one year. More information on how to join the NFRS can be found here.
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The Committee and Management of the NFRS
The NFRS is run as a democratic society for its members - it is not a business. Members can vote to change rules, or even the aims of the society, if they wish. Committee members and most officers are elected annually at the AGM, and some committee appointments (eg Publicity Officer, Promotions Officer) are made at the first meeting of each new Committee. Members may make suggestions to the Committee at any time, by writing to the Hon. Secretary, to suggest changes to the rules or management of the Society. At the AGM, members can find out about the society's activities, finances and plans, propose changes to the way things are run, or ask for clarification on matters they are unclear about.2009/10 NFRS Executive Committee
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