Clubs, Rescues & Associations
Melbourne, Victoria
The AusRFS is a very active, social and family orientated club. With members from all walks of life, backgrounds and age groups, with one thing in common – a love of RATTIES.
The Australian Rat Fanciers Society was formed in 1996, in Melbourne, to address the lack of reliable information regarding pet rats and their care, and also to provide support and social forums for rat owners.
The AusRFS became an Incorporated Association in 2005.
To show the public what wonderful pets rats can be.
To educate and provide information about how to care for pet rats.
To promote responsible pet ownership.
To raise awareness of the differences between domesticated pet rats and wild rats.
To provide social forums for rat owners.
To offer opportunities for owners to show their rats.
To operate a rescue service to help rats in need.
To operate a boarding service
To operate a Education Team to teach in schools
RESCUE SERVICE is the most important and active aspect of our club. To date we have taken in over 11,000 pet rats, who otherwise would have faced a very bleak future. Our Rescue Service is funded solely from donations and fundraising. Apart from the rats that we rescue ourselves or are surrendered directly to us, most animal shelters in Melbourne also pass on pet rats to us.
DISPLAYS are held at pet expos and community events around Melbourne and rural Victoria throughout the year. Why not come along and have a chat to our members and meet their gorgeous ratties! We also have lots of lovely rat related items for sale, but rat patting and cuddling are free. For a full list of events, go to the calendar section of our Website.
RAT SHOWS are held in conjunction with a number of AusRFS displays. Visitors are welcome to come and watch the judging.
RAT CARE ADVICE LINES provide information and advice about rat care and welfare. This service is available to members & the general public alike.
REGISTERED RATTERIES - a register of ethical, responsible rat breeders who have passed the society’s strict registration process. This process includes testing of rat knowledge, monitoring of rat keeping practices and inspections of premises. PLEASE NOTE: None of our registered breeders are breeding at the moment because of the large number of rescue rats currently in our care. We do not believe in bringing more rats into the world when there are so many lovely rats waiting for their forever homes.
BOARDING SERVICE can care for rats when their owners go on holidays.
EDUCATION TEAM Visit schools to teach about rats - mostly to animal studies, vet and vet nursing students.
COMMUNITY VISIT TEAM Visit community groups and nursing homes to introduce ratties
WEBSITE provides information about the AusRFS and rats in general.
PUBLICATIONS A range of printed material, is produced, including a the book written by the club The Pet Rat Care Guide, which covers all aspects of rat care.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR MEMBERS such as Social Days, Rat Health Days, Members Shows, Christmas Party.
Anyone who owns, or is interested in pet rats is welcome to apply to join the Society. Membership forms are available from the AusRFS or can be downloaded from the website.
Australian Rat Fanciers Society
Phone: 0401 741 162
Email:
Website:
Advice Lines: 0401 741 162 or 0498 021 237
Rescue Service: 0411 670 215
Facebook:
Founded 1996
For the love of rats
1. Register a member account
2. Create a searchable listing
3. Connect with more clients
