Rat Assistance & Teaching Society

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.