::Membership::

Who Can Join NIRO?

NIRO is an organization comprised of  individuals with diverse backgrounds  who share a common passion--a love of fancy rats.  Whether your interest lies in breeding and/or showing rats, simply enjoying them as the wonderful pets they are, helping to educate the public on the merits of fancy rats, participating in fun matches and pet shows, sharing knowledge with other rat owners while expanding your own knowledge or meeting new friends with whom you can hang out and swap rat stories, NIRO has something for everyone. 

Though NIRO was initially formed by a small group of rat breeders in Illinois who bonded over their mutual love of rats and their desire to encourage ethical breeding and ownership in others, the club has since grown to include members from many states across America.  NIRO welcomes all rat lovers regardless of geographic location.  So whether you have owned rats for many years or you are just now discovering the fascinating world of these delightful companion pets, here you are among friends.  Welcome!

Become a Member

If you would like to become a member of NIRO, please take time to read and familiarize yourself with our bylaws.  You will need to print up a copy of our application to fill out and mail to our secretary.  If you maintain a rattery, you will also have to sign a copy of our Code of Ethics and include it with your application.

These files all require Adobe Acrobat. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, you can download it for free here.

• NIRO By-Laws
• NIRO Code of Ethics
• NIRO Membership Application

Members Only (Coming Very Soon!)

Members Only 
  View current and past meeting minutes, finance logs, newsletters, and get a preview to upcoming contest ideas, meeting agendas, etc. 

Officers & Board Members Only
  Board meeting minutes, agendas, and a forum section dedicated to club talk.

Breeders

 The following is a list of breeders who are also members of NIRO. 
This is not, nor is it meant to be, a complete list of NIRO's membership.

The Northern Illinois Rat Organization does not recommend, guarantee, endorse, nor rate breeders, their ratteries, or their stock. Individual rats are not examined by NIRO. Buyers should be certain to check all matters relating to registration, health, quality, and temperament with the breeders or sellers before making any decision.