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RESOURCES
& ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR RAT CARE SHEETS
SUGGESTED
READING
There are not a whole lot of books out there about rats as pets (as
compared to other domestic animals), but there are a few out there that
are recommended (as inventory and reference).
Rats:
Complete Care Guide
by Debbie Ducommun. Bowtie Press, 2002
ISBN # 1889540714
Retail Price: $9.95
Notes: By far the most complete and the most informative book available
on rats as pets. Every rat owner should have a copy, without question!
This is the second edition.
Rat
Health Care
by Debbie Ducommun, 1995-2003 (updated annually)
Retail Price: $5.00
Notes: This book demystifies rat health care. It is useful for both
pet owners and vets alike! Another must-have for the library, so you
know what you can treat at home and when a vet visit is necessary. If
it saves one vet visit, it has more than paid for itself. Available
only through the Rat
Fan Club, Rat-Alog, and Rat-Store.com;
or contact Debbie Ducommun at 530.899.0605 or e-mail her at ratlady@sunset.net.
BarronÕs
Fancy Rats - A Complete Pet OwnerÕs Manual
by Gisela Bulla. April 1999
ISBN # 0764109405
Retail Price: $6.95
Notes: This is the only book on the list that I do not own (but I plan
to get it). BarronÕs is a pretty respected name.
Rats:
A Complete Pet OwnerÕs Manual (3 stars)
by Carol A. Himsel, DVM. 1991
ISBN# 0812045351
Retail Price: $6.95
Notes: A useful resource. Not a bad addition to the library.
SUGGESTED
WEB SITES
There are literally hundreds of great Web sites out there devoted to
rats, far too many to list here, but these five are an excellent starting
point, and are by far the best the Net has to offer.
RatsRule.com
www.ratsrule.com
You've already found us. ;)
Rat
Fan Club
www.ratfanclub.org
Home page of the club. Useful information, and a vet referral list.
Founder Debbie Ducommun is one of the most knowledgable lay-experts
on pet rats.
Rat
& Mouse Club of America
www.rmca.org
Home page of the club. Useful information, vet referrals, supplies,
gifts and the largest list of links anywhere.
Rat
Palace
www.ratpalace.com
Becoming an excellent resource for rat information, and has the best
discussion forum of all.
RAT
CLUBS
Clubs are a great way to meet other rat owners and get advice from experienced
people. These clubs are based in the United States (the second also
has an international following), and are highly recommended.
Rat
Fan Club
Publisher of The Rat Report (12 issues per year)
857 Lindo Lane, Chico, CA 95973
530.899.0605
www.ratfanclub.org
ratlady@sunset.net
$25 per year, includes RFC membership and TRR subscription
Rat
& Mouse Club of America
www.rmca.org
There are also local chapters of the RMCA; check with the RMCA for more
information.
American
Fancy Rat & Mouse Association
Publisher of Rat & Mouse Tales
9230 64th Street, Riverside, CA 92509-5924
www.afrma.org
rattusrat@hotmail.com
$25 per year, includes AFRMA membership & RMT subscription
INTERNET
FORUMS
Forums are a great way to meet other rat enthusiasts on the Web. You
can ask questions related to rat care, tell stories about your rats
and talk to other people who have the same interests. I am active in
both forums listed below, which are very friendly places to visit, and
are safe for all ages.
Rats
Rule Forum
www.goosemoose.com
An open forum I created in 2000 to help fill the gap left behind by
Squeak's demise. We also have a family-oriented chat room. You must
register to participate; registering does not automatically enroll you
in the RFC.
Rat
Palace Forum
www.ratpalace.com
Another wonderful forum for rat folks. You must register to participate;
membership is free.
Acknowledgements
BIBLIOGRAPHY
¥ Ducommun, Debbie. Rats! A Fun and Health Care Book. Irvine, CA: Bowtie
Press, 1998.
¥ Ducommun, Debbie. Rat Health Care, Fifth Edition. Chico, CA: The Rat
Fan Club, 1995 - 1999.
¥ Ducommun, Debbie. The Rat Report. Chico, CA: Rat Fan Club, 1992- 2003
(monthly newsletter).
¥ Horn, Angela and Antonia Swierzy. Why Rats Need Company. London: Blackstaff
Rats, 1997. www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/3636/company.html
¥ Isaaksen, Mary Ann, ed. Rat & Mouse Gazette. Fitchburg, MA: Rat &
Mouse Club of America, 1999 (bi-monthly publication, no longer in circulation).
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Suebee is a devoted rat person who would like to see every rat owner
and pet store receive the information they need to properly care for
pet rats, giving them the best possible lives. She has had pet rats
since April 1996, and learns more about their care every single day.
Suebee is not a veterinarian or an expert by any means, but has consulted
with veterinarians and experts in preparation for this brochure. Some
of the organizations she actively participates in include:
•
Webmaster of ratsrule.com
¥ Adminstrator of the Rat
Fan Club Forum
¥ Active member of the Rat Palace
Forum
SPECIAL
THANKS
To everyone on the former Squeak! Forum - Thanks so much to all of the
wonderful folks from all over the world for inspiring me to put this
together, and thanks for your input! Together we can help all pet rats
lead healthier, happier lives! There are far too many folks to mention,
but consider yourselves all thanked! The site is gone, but the spirit
is not!
To Debbie
Ducommun, a.k.a. The Rat Lady - I don't know what I would do without
your advice. Thanks for being there, and thanks for putting together
such a wonderful club!
To Dr.
Carolyn Orr, DVM, of the Animal Clinic of East Ave. in Brockport, NY.
Thank you for your insight, advice and knowledge, as well as your loving
care of my little guys.
To jn (and
Jake & Elwood) - Thanks for getting me interested in rats in the first
place!
To Gordon,
Elwyn, Walter and Albert - The new boys! May you live a long and happy
life while in my care.
To Nicky,
Bert, Martin, Matthias, Gus, Lister, Rimmer and Duane - Rest in peace
little ones. I love you always.
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