Even if you are not interested in showing your own pet rats, it's fun to come along to see all the different varieties of rats, watch the judging and to meet other people who are happy to talk about their rats all day. Most shows have fun events such as rat agility, a raffle and other competitions. Further details about all NFRS shows can be found on the NFRS website www.nfrs.org/shows.html, then choose a month.

The Wales and West Yahoo discussion group has non-show socials across the region, which are a great opportunity to meet other local rat lovers, to talk about rats for a whole evening and maybe to arrange to collect kittens. To join, go to groups.yahoo.com/group/welshratclub.

Although the they are not local to us any more, we occasionally go to Midlands Rat Club shows. The MRC holds regular shows in the Midlands. The shows in Birmingham are probably the easiest to reach from the South West - either by train or up the M5. Further details about MRC shows can be found at www.midlandsratclub.org/shows.shtml