Frequently Asked Questions...

• How do I become a member? Visit the Membership page. Both breeders and pet owners are welcomed.

• Can anyone become a member? Anyone can become a member, but they must agree to the terms of use, and follow NARR rules to the best of their ability. If you are a minor, you will need a parent/guardian signature on your membership form as well.

• Can my membership be cancelled? Membership can be cancelled if your annual fees are not received in a timely manner. However, you can renew your membership even after expiration, but you will need to fill out a new member form again. Membership can also be cancelled if you provide false or slanderous information to NARR. There will be no refund or membership dues, and rats will false information may also be subject to removal from the database.

• Who can register rats? Rats can only be registered by the current owner or breeder. Updates to a record (health, temperament, date of death) can only be made by the current owner or the breeder, unless submitted as research with solid factual information that can be verified with the current owner or breeder.
• What does it mean to register a rat as 'pet only'? This addition to the database is designed to compliment the contracts used by many breeders. A rat registered as pet only will not have any offspring accepted for registration. A pet only rat cannot have its registration changed to breeding, except by the original breeder. This request must be made in writing and signed by that breeder to be accepted. Alternatively, if a rat that was a breeding rat is transferred to a pet only home or is no longer to be part of a breeding program, it's status can be changed to pet only by the original breeder or current owner, as well. This will not affect previous offspring that were registered, but no further offspring from that rat would be accepted by NARR. Only one change of status is allowed per rat.
• What if I disagree with a change in breeding status? Only the original breeder can change a rat's status. In most cases, rats are registered or changed to pet only if they are not of breeding quality, are retired from breeding or if a condition arises that makes the rat unsuitable for breeding. However, we are also aware that some issues arise between individuals (contract breech, personal disagreements, etc) where the original breeder and current owner may not agree on a status change. While NARR sympathizes with those going through issues such as these, it is not within our authority to determine if contracts are being stuck to or if there is a fairness to the reason for status change. It is our strong suggestion, therefore, that whether you are adopter or adoptee, that you use contracts to protect yourself. Both parties should be in agreement to the contract terms, both signatures should be present, and both parties should maintain copies. If a status change is made in which there is a disagreement, which is later settled, there may be the option to allow for one more status change. This is subject to NARR approval based on circumstances.
• Does the NARR hold shows? What standards do you use? The NARR does not maintain variety standards or hold shows - it is purely a registry. However, NARR does use only accepted terminology for colors, types, etc for consistency throughout the database. If you have questions as to which terms to use on your application, check the list of colors/markings for more details, or check with your local rat club or a club recognized by NARR.
• Can other members find out my personal information through this site? Your personal details (email address/address) are not made public. The database search gives details of rats, not people. Email addresses are kept on file for such situations as forgotten passwords, renewals, or queries about registration requests. Owners are listed as registered rattery names where applicable. If owner does not have a rattery name, then only the first initial/last name is used.
• How can you have a registry when there are no purebred rats? NARR does not claim any rats to be "purebred" (there are no breeds of rat, so there are no purebred rats). It also does not make any claims as to the "quality" of registered rats. All it provides is a simple, easy to use, and convenient database of pedigree and health records.
• How do I know what forms to use when registering my rats? There are several options available for registering your rats, but using the appropriate form and filling it out completely are key to the database's accuracy. If ever you have questions on what form to use, please contact us before submitting your forms. The most common error is using an individual form for a rat that was part of a registered litter. Be sure to check if the litter your rat is from has a litter number. If so, you will need to use a litter member form. The forms page explains each form in detail.
• What is the aim of the NARR? This registry simply serves as a resource available to all North American breeders, to assist "line-chasing" for fun, and for tracing colors and health problems through the generations, and to serve as a permanent storage of said information as accurately as possible.
• Isn't it possible for people to lie though, and say their rats are healthy when they're not? Of course it is. There are some breeders who will claim their lines to be healthy when they have problems - and although a registry can't force people to tell the truth, it will be very difficult for anyone registering their rats to "hide" problems. The fact is, most breeders keep a very small percentage of their rats, and NARR encourages the buyers - as well as the breeders - to report on health, to give the "big picture." If your lines are healthy and well tempered, then the recorded rats owned by both you and your buyers will reflect this.
• I keep my own detailed records, and I'm willing to share them with other breeders who ask. What can this project offer me? Breadth of information to match your own depth of information. The ability to find out details about distant cousins that may prove useful. Pedigree lookups - to see if that outcross is really an outcross, or a look at how a potential stud's offspring/siblings/half siblings/etc are doing. It is also an easy way to share knowledge with fellow fanciers and is a permanent record that won't disappear when a breeder decides to quit, change ratteries, etc.

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Last Updated:  10/15/09

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