Miscellaneous

A fast growing spare-time

activity us and our rats !.

or is it 'Life in the Fast Lane' ?

The keeping of pet & show rats has taken off in a big way in recent years.

They do not foul the streets, wake people up with noises in the night as with dogs, do not scratch up garden flower-beds as cats do, or need very large homes.

People of all ages and from all ways of life can be found among club members. When youngsters begin to try showing their pets we help, encouraging their efforts carefully because they are the future for all clubs.

Rat fans will travel enormous distances to be able to enter their rats in certain shows. It is not unusual to find rat fans coming to the UK from Europe to participate in shows, because ratty fans can be as keen as dog & cat show fans are - but with less cheating and bitchiness being involved.

Wheel-chair users who enjoy keeping rats as pets will be

warmly welcomed to all shows. The Hall has a long rise

ramp access to main doors and St. Agnes Church Hall is proud

of the installed Toilet facilities for wheelchair users.

The Rat is a pet that demands very little except love and care. It knows who its carer is, can recognise their voice and respond to their owner  in the same way the larger Ferret does. Its no wonder that such an intelligent pet has made large gains in popularity.

Shows are well attended. There is much free co-operation of effort to ensure the smooth running of the show. It is practised in a professional manner by amateurs. Many people giving of their time freely to bond it all together.

Beginning at 11 am with the doors opening for the appointed club members to enter the Hall and prepare for the show. Erecting the folding tables, arrange any club display or notice-boards, leaflets, small club shop items such as rat foods, drinkers, books.

Of course very young children are not allowed to run among the tables that have the exhibited pets on. This is to prevent injury to the child and ensure the rats  come to no harm.

Show competitors and visitors also enter from 11 am, to set up their rats in the appropriate show pens (tanks) on the tables.

The Judging begins from around 12 noon.

Rat Agility courses and other diversions  help to  keep the small children from  growing bored.The adults find lots to chat about while waiting for the judging to be completed. Being able to meet and talk with others about the pets is a very important aspect of showing.

There follows a awarding of Prizes, followed by the re-packing into their travel boxes of the pets for their journey home.

After packing away all other show items we all join in to fold & store the tables and stack the chairs. With a final sweep and tidy of the hall we leave it nice as we found it.

So yet another Show is over but the warm glow of the excitement and companionship lingers on in our memory. ...now to prepare for the next show !.

Rattenfänger

updated  14th February 2008