Showing Frequently Asked Questions

What is a rat show?

In brief, rat owners bring their rats to be seen by the public. Rats are shown in suitable tanks. During the day, the judges choose the best rats and award prizes.

Rat shows are also social occasions where friendly rat owners share their common interest. Many shows will have a variety of other activities taking place – these are usually listed on the show calendar.

Where are they? Where is my nearest rat show?

There are rat shows up and down the country all year round, the venue details are listed on the show calendar.

Why is there not a rat show closer to me?

It would be nice to a rat show on everyone’s doorstep. However, rat shows need to pay for themselves and need the support of volunteers to run them. The best way to get more local shows is to get involved at your closest shows! To offer your help, click here.

How much does it cost to look round? How much does it cost to enter?

The NFRS does not charge visitors to its shows. Where the show is part of a larger event, such as a country fair, you may be charged admission. Details of these kinds of charges are shown on the show calendar.

If you wish to enter rats in the show, there is an entry fee of £1.00 per rat entered (pay the Show Secretary on the day).

When does the show start? When does the show finish?

If you are entering a rat, you need to turn up early enough to get your rat ready for the start of judging. Judging typically starts between 10:30 and midday, see the show calendar for details of individual shows. If you are a visitor, turning up after the start of judging will mean you miss the rush.

Shows usually end between 4:30pm and 6:00pm with the presentation of awards. Be aware that all rats in the show are needed until the end or until the show personnel let you know otherwise.

Do I need to be a NFRS member to enter my rat?

You don't have to be a member to show, although you will be missing out on what the club has to offer. You can ask about joining at the show if you like what we have to offer. To join or find out more, click here.

What do I need to show my rat?

What substrate can I use?

The substrate in show tank must be of a pale brownish-white colour. Currently the approved substrates are You cannot use Biocatolet or Carefresh.

What if I don't have a NFRS show tank?

There are a limited number of hire tanks available. Hire tanks must be booked in advance and cost £3 each and only two are available per exhibitor. Alternatively, if you are showing in the pet class, the Show Secretary may let you use a similar tank if agreed in advance.

What happens if I have more than one rat?

Use one tank for each adult rat. You are permitted to show two same sex kittens in the same tank providing the appearances of the two rats are clearly different.

What if it's exceedingly hot or cold

In extreme heat, as many of our tented summer shows can be, exhibitors can place water bottles on top of the show tanks for their rats, but warn each exhibitor to mark their water bottles with the animals corresponding pen number to avoid them becoming muddled and placed on the wrong tank by busy stewards. In colder weather it is permissible to use white shredded bedding in addition to the substrate.

How do I enter my rat?

If you have a healthy, friendly rat then you can always enter him or her in the pet class. There are variety classes too. Either ask your Show Secretary or ask at the show for next time. To enter, tell the Show Secretary which rats you are bringing along.
You will need to give the Show Secretary some details about you
For each rat, you will need to tell Show Secretary You will also need to let the Show Secretary know if For example
ABC Rattery, Joe Bloggs
2 Black Adult does (Novice)
1 Choc Adult buck (Novice)
2 Agouti Adult does
1 Cinnamon Kitten buck

Usually you can enter your rats by telephoning the number in Pro-Rat-A. Some Show Secretaries take entries by e-mail or post. See the show calendar for further details.

What if entries are by phone only how do I get the phone number to enter

If entries are phone only and you are not an NFRS member and need contact details, please contact the General Show Secretary well in advance of the closing date. For NFRS members, the phone number should be included on the show advert in Pro-rat-a. Please remember that all show secretaries are unpaid volunteers and only contact them by phone during reasonable hours of the day.

When should I enter my rats

Most people enter their rats within a week of the closing date. The deadline for show entries can be found on the show calendar. Email entries must be received and confirmed at least 24 hours before the closing date to be accepted for the show. We have had problems with bouncing emails and it is always best to make sure that your entry has been confirmed. Late entries will only be accepted by the Show Secretary at their discretion.

Does the NFRS have kitten sales at the show?

The NFRS does not have kitten sales at shows. A notice area will be provided at NFRS shows where the availability of rat kittens may be advertised by their owners at the show. The advertisement must include the rats' date of birth, colour and sex and the sellers, name, address and contact details and it must be displayed in the area provided or deemed appropriate by the officiating Show Secretary or Show Manager on the day. Show Secretaries and Show Managers may use their discretion to remove any advertisements deemed inappropriate. Their decision is final.

What if I want to bring rats to the show for exchange.

Only NFRS members are allowed to bring rats to the show for exchanging. You must inform the Show Secretary in advance.

Any kittens pre-booked for exchange must be between 6-13 weeks of age and each seller must supply the buyer with documentation for each animal sold indicating the Breeders name and address and the kitten's date of birth.

NO kittens under the age of 6 weeks are allowed to be brought to NFRS shows for any reason.

How do I get to the show?

See the show calendar for venue details and links to online maps.

What do I need to do on show day?

If you are just visiting, introduce yourself to the Show Secretary. He or she will introduce you to other rat owners and can tell you more about how the society works.

If you are showing, you will need to turn up and prepare your rats for judging. Doors usually open at least an hour before judging starts, so turn up early. Ask the Show Secretary for your tank labels and your entry list. If you are not sure of what to do, then please feel free to ask.

What happens to my rat during a show?

Exhibitors place their rats in show tanks on banks of tables. There are usually two sets of tables (show benches); one for the pet classes and one for the variety classes. Behind each set of tables is the judging table.

Before judging starts, stewards look at the tank labels and place the tanks in order according to their class.

When the judging begins, the stewards bring all tanks in the first class to the judging table. One rat a time, the Judge opens the tank and handles each rat. The Judge compares the rat to the ideal laid down by the NFRS (see the variety standards). The Judge's comments are written down and called a critique.

When all the rats in a class have been seen, the Judge places the top four. Paperwork is completed for the Show Secretary and a coloured sticker is placed on the tank; red for first, blue for second, yellow for third and green for fourth. The tanks are returned to the show benches. This is repeated for all classes.

After all classes have been judged, the best of each class go through to the challenges. The best rats are brought back to the judging table and compared against each other. More coloured stickers are placed on the tank to say how the rats did in the challenge. Further paperwork is completed for the Show Secretary so he or she can prepare the critiques, cards, rosettes, cups, etc. for the presentation.

When rats are not being judged, tanks are placed on the show benches for people to see, but not to touch.