United Rat Standards

The URS are a set of standards put together by the Board of two clubs: Rat Fanciers of the Lakes and North Illinois Rat Organization (NIRO,) in an effort to maintain unified standards between shows. Both clubs were former members of the RSA, and helped to write the original show standards for that organization. After both clubs left the RSA, they wished to continue a showing and breeding standards affiliation, so they wrote the United Rat Standards for that purpose.

The URS gives members of both clubs a high bar to pass with regard to showing and breeding rats with proper conformation and exacting standards in color, markings and all-around type. Using the same shared set of standards, we can maintain an affiliation that allows continuity of judging between both clubs when shows are held.

Any other club which wishes to use URS instead of creating their own standards may feel free to do so! All we ask is that our club is informed, and that a link back to our club for credit are made on the club's website.

URSA (United Rat Standards Affiliation) show titles earned are recognized by the North American Rat Registry (NARR.)