Contents

1. Why Pet Rats?
2. Introductory Materials
3. Subject Headings
4. Seminal Works
5. Call Numbers
6. Handbooks, Encyclopedias, and Dictionaries
7. Bibliographies
8. Abstracts and Indexes
9. Journals
10. Government information
11. Internet Sources
12. Associations

Caring for Pet Rats

By Robin Sanford

   Internet Sources

Please also see the Associations section. There are a number of groups dedicated to the care of rats and some of them have very large websites with many articles on caring for pet rats.

• Rats Rule!
• A website just about pet rats. There are lots of care tips and information, as well as forums to talk with other rat owners.
• Rat Behavior and Biology
• A page with articles based on the owner’s research into scientific literature and observation of her own rats. If you’ve ever wondered how much rats can see or why rats can’t vomit, go here!
• The Rat Guide
• This website is "a layman’s guide to health, medication use, breeding, and responsible care of pet rats." There is a great deal of medical information here, as well as rat care information.
• Rat Sauce
• Another pet rat oriented site. This one has a good guide to rat colors and markings. What is a dumbo rat? A rex? Lilac? Look at their "Rat Standards" page for info.
• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animaland
• This is a site aimed at teens and kids from the ASPCA. There is good care info and also rat trivia.
• ASPCA’s Small Pet Information: Rat Care page
• This page is aimed at adults and older teens, and has a lot of good care information.
• The Dapper Rat
• A personal page on rats with a long section on rat care and housing, as well as tips on how to photograph your pets. While the site owners do sell hammocks and other rat care items, they also provide a wealth of information.
• Rodents as Pets
• The Internet Public Library recommends this website. The site has minimal information on a number of kinds of rodents in the "Rodent Roundup." Some areas of the page are missing.

   Associations

Not every Association reported the same information. Entries are as complete as possible.

• 13075 Springdale St., PMB 302 Westminster, CA 92683 USA. E-Mail: bellaratta@aol.com Membership Dues: $10 annual. A national organization devoted to mice and rats as pets. Their website contains frequently asked questions and articles on rat care.

• 9230 64th St. Riverside, CA 92509-5924 USA. Phone:(760) 519-8287 E-Mail: afrma@afrma.org Founded: 1983. Members: 200. Membership Dues: individual/family, $25 annual; in Canada, $30 annual; overseas, $35 annual. An international club focused on breeding and showing rats (yes, there are rat shows just like there are cat and dog shows). The website has an information section with care articles.

• 857 Lindo Ln. Chico, CA 95973 USA. Phone:(530) 899-0605 E-Mail: ratlady@ratfanclub.org Founded: 1992. Members: 350. Membership Dues: regular, $25 annual. A club which considers rats companion animals. Founded by Debbie "The Rat Lady" Ducommun, who is seen by many as a "rat expert." There is more good rat care information on their website.

• 783 Solana Dr. Lafayette, CA 94549 USA. Founded: 1984. Members: 100. Membership Dues: individual (domestic), family, $15 annual; individual (foreign), $24 annual. This association is made up of individuals interested in keeping rats, mice, and hamsters as pets, as well as showing them. Their websitewebsite does not have articles on the care of these animals, but does have information on shows and photographs of the standards used in their shows.