Fancy Rat Breeders are cashing in on the craze of keeping exotic rat breeds as pets. Here's everything you need to know about these breeders.

Fancy Rat Breeders -- Breeder Facts

1. Professional Affiliations:

   Fancy rat breeders must be affiliated with the national rat organization in their country. In America, there are the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA) and the North American Rat Registry (NARR). England has the National Fancy Rat Society (NFRS), and Australia has the Australian Rat Fanciers' Society (NFRS).

2. Why Use a Breeder:

   Fancy rat breeders will have precise knowledge of how to breed fancy rats. They will take all the precautions, and conduct elaborate genetic studies to come up with rats that would have the qualities desired by pet owners.

3. How to Find:

   You could get several listings for fancy rat breeders from the internet. You could contact the national rat organizations through the internet for a good reference. There will also be many advertisements in the pet classifieds of pet magazines and newspapers. Even the vets will have information on where to find fancy rat breeders.

4. What to Expect:

   Getting a fancy rat is not easy. But if you approach a reputable breeder, then you can rest assured that you will get a good enough pet rat. You will have to fill out forms before you can take the rat home.

5. Breeder's Surroundings:

   After purchasing the fancy rat from breeders, you must keep them in clean cages. They must be provided clean food and water.

Fancy Rat Breeders -- Newborn Facts

1. Average Number of Newborns Delivered at Birth:

   Fancy rats can give birth to 12 babies in a single litter. Some rats have even given birth to 20 babies in one birth.

2. Age To Be Sold:

   Any rat baby can be sold by the fifth or sixth week of its age.

3. What to Look For in a Newborn:

   A healthy newborn fancy rat will be very active and curious about its surroundings.

4. Registry:

   Registries are done to keep record of the genetics. Rats can be registered in one of the affiliations mentioned above.

5. AKC Recognized Characteristics:

   Fancy rats are not registered by AKC as the American Kennel Club (AKC) looks only after dog breeds.

6. Expense to Purchase Newborn:

   Fancy rats directly taken from breeders will cost more than the rats available in the pet store. The fancy rats from breeder will cost you approximately $20.

7. Dam and Sire Information of your Newborn:

   A reputable breeder will have the family background of his or her fancy rats registered with any one of the associations noted above. When you purchase any fancy rat, you must give all information associated with the fancy rat. It can help you obtain desirable traits and suppress unwanted ones.

Fancy Rat Breeders -- Breeder Concerns

1. Breeder Reputation:

   A reputable rat breeder should be able to easily show you his or her affiliations and certificates. You can find listings of reputable fancy rat breeders from the websites of rat associations.

2. Pet Health:

   You must check out the fancy rat before purchasing. Do not go just by its looks; judge its physical features. Its eyes must be clear, they should have no injury marks on their body. You should check them through your vet before buying.

3. Assurances:

   Breeders must be able to provide after-sale support on the fancy rat they sell. They must give health guarantees for a particular time after the purchase.