Pet Mice & Rats

An internationally recognized rat expert, Debbie Ducommun, known as “The Rat Lady,” has created this website to promote rats as companion animals. The site is full of information about caring for rats, including emergency care and contains a large vet referral list for American rat owners. She also shares her thoughts about several rat-related books and warns against books with advice that could be harmful to your pet.

The RMCA is a not-for-profit club dedicated to ensuring that every domestic rat and mouse enjoys good health and a loving and comfortable home. Information provided includes - responsible pet ownership and breeding, the proper care of pet rats and mice, and a number of other must read topics for owners of these small and charming pets. The RMCA has a number of chapters across the United States where pet owners can meet to share their knowledge and love for their pets.

The primary goal of R.A.T.S. is to educate pet shop owners about proper housing for the rats, eliminate the practice of using toxic pine and cedar shavings for small animal bedding, discontinue the housing of male and female animals in the same cage resulting in unsuspecting customers purchasing already pregnant females and to encourage the use of frozen rather than live rats and mice being used to feed reptiles. The Society also works with veterinarians to provide care appropriate to these "small exotic" pets and to assist animal rescue organizations in dealing with unwanted and abandoned pet rats. Their website contains a great deal of information for pet owners, pet shop owners, pet shelter staffs and vets. This not-for-profit organization has already achieved many of their goals since they were founded in 2002 but their work is far from complete and they are always looking for volunteers and donations.