We started keeping rats in 2001 when we were both at University. We wanted a pet (at least one each) with the level of intelligence of a dog or a cat but that fell within the "caged pet" variety so that Kathy's landlord wouldn't be too upset. After our research online we came to the conclusion that rats would make the perfect pets for us. After getting in touch with Estelle Sandford we were able to adopt our first two rats - Jadzia (Russian blue rex doe) and Ezri (American blue doe) who were two of the best pets ever.

Since then, we've joined several rat clubs, become regional co-ordinators for Wales for the NFRS and judged our first pet class at NFRS Clevedon 2003, have both began training as NFRS Judges and Jon is now on the NFRS committee - all this and we've had countless hours of fun with our lovely rats and our "rat count" is ever increasing - our current number stands at 35.