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The Australian Rat Fanciers Society is based in Melbourne and is a club for owners of domesticated pet rats (Rattus norvegicus).

                                                                          

We are a very active, social and family orientated club. Members come from all walks of life, backgrounds and age groups, but share a common passion – RATTIES.

 

The AusRFS offers educational and support services to  the public and club members and their rats enjoy a range of activities.

Starlet

History

The Australian Rat Fanciers Society was formed in Melbourne in 1996  and became an Incorporated Association in 2003.

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The AusRFS is the largest and oldest rodent club in Australia.

 

The word “fancy” is an old English term meaning “hobby”.  So a Fancy Rat is a rat that is kept as a pet or hobby, and a Rat Fancier is a person who keeps rats as a pet or hobby.

This name was chosen for our society to convey a sense of the history of rat keeping. Rats have been kept as pets for hundreds of years.

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Activities & Services

Please see individual pages for more information about each activity.

Advice Service 

Boarding Service

Community Visit Team - Visiting nursing homes and community groups

Education Team -  Conducting classes in schools/colleges

Events for AusRFS Members

Displays at public events such as pet expos

Merchandise - Handmade hammocks

Nebuliser Hire Service

Publications 

Registered Ratties (no breeders are active at the moment)

Rat Shows - Championship shows and Fun Shows

Rescue Service - OUR MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY!

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Aims & Objectives

To show the public what wonderful pets rats can be.

  • To educate & provide information about how to care for pet rats.

  • To promote responsible pet ownership and breeding practices.

  • To raise awareness of the differences between domesticated pet rats and wild rats.

  • To provide social opportunities for rat owners.

  • To operate a rescue service to take in and rehome abandoned or surrendered pet rats.

  • To run a boarding service for pet rats.

  • To discourage purchasing any animal, and rats in particular from pet shops and mass breeding facilities.

  • To maintain a register of reputable ratteries.

  • To encourage purchasing of rats from AusRFS Registered Breeders or our Rescue Service.

  • To offer opportunities for owners to show their rats.

Gizmo

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