Rattery Directory

The NZFRS is home of the Registered Rat Breeders and maintains a list of approved breeders and rescues who have shown to have great knowledge, care, and ethics when it comes to rat keeping and breeding. Each Rattery has the support of all the other breeders on the list and everyone works together to breed healthy, happy babies that make wonderful pets. 

Registered breeders have gone through a vetting process; All our breeders must pass an interview where they share their breeding and adoption processes and prove they're an ethical breeder. We check their setup to ensure their rats are kept to a high standard and that they're happy and healthy. You can learn more about how to join the registered breeders here.

If a breeder claims to be approved but their rattery is not listed on this page, then they are not registered with us. Unfortunately some breeders may claim to be approved when they are in fact not, so please double check and ask the questions down below so you can make an informed decision about who you adopt rats from.

There are lots of unregistered breeders who are great too! Here are some questions to ask when thinking of adding some new ratties to your family:

• How old are the parents? (ideally mum should be 6-12 months old and Dad should be 18 months or more)

• How many litters has your girl had? (more than 2 can be bit rough on rattie mums as nursing so many babies is hard work!)

• Why did you pick this pair to breed? (ideally breeders will have a goal for every litter - not just 'I wanted to')

• What do you know about this family? (breeders should at least be able to tell you about the health of the parents, more established breeders will have knowledge of several generations)

• How old will my babies be when I can pick them up? (no earlier than 6 weeks, preferably 8-12 weeks)

• Where do your rats live? (inside is good, outside is not good)

• What do you feed your rats? (rats need a grain based diet: home made mixes are good, or lab blocks from NZRR, or there are a few good pet shop brands)

• What do your baby rats come with? (some breeders do adoption packs, at the very least a breeders should be able to give you support and advice)

• What happens if I can no longer take care of my rats? (good breeders will take their babies back at any time. They should at least say they will help you find a new home for them)

• Can you send rats on the pet bus? (this is an important question to ask if you live far away from your potential babies)