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American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day

Calling all rodent lovers! Get ready to celebrate American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day with cute costumes, fun activities, and adorable photos of your furry friends.

Thursday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATENovember 12

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAnimals

SUBCATEGORYSmall Pets

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Mark your calendars for November 12 and get ready to celebrate our furry little friends on American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day! This holiday was created in 2002 by the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association to raise awareness about these adorable and intelligent creatures. Did you know that rats and mice have been domesticated since ancient times and are actually very clean animals? They also make great pets, with their friendly and social nature. So let's take this day to appreciate all the joy and love they bring into our lives!

TIMELINE

American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day Timeline

Early Domestication

The practice of keeping rats as pets most likely originated in China and Japan in the 18th century, then later spread to Europe.

Rat Keeping Trend

European Victorian rat fanciers popularized keeping fancy rats as pets. This trend later reached America.

First Rat & Mouse Club

The Rat and Mouse Club of America (RMCA) was formed by fanciers dedicated to promoting the well being of pet rats and mice.

American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association

The AFRMA was established to promote and encourage the breeding and exhibition of fancy rats and mice for show and pets.

Inauguration of American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day

The AFRMA created American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day to celebrate and raise awareness about these loveable pets.

Continued Celebration Of The Holiday

Each year on November 12, fans of fancy rats and mice continue to celebrate these pets and share their appreciation globally.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day

Host a fancy rat and mouse party

Invite fellow rat and mouse enthusiasts to a fancy rat and mouse party! Have fun decorations, snacks, and activities centered around these adorable pets.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer at a local rat and mouse shelter

Spend the day showing love and care to rats and mice in need by volunteering at a local shelter. You can also donate supplies or funds to help support the shelter's mission.

THROW

Throw a rat and mouse themed movie night

Gather some friends and watch movies featuring rats and mice as the main characters. Some great options include Ratatouille, Stuart Little, and The Great Mouse Detective.

CREATE

Create rat and mouse inspired crafts

Get creative and make rat and mouse themed crafts such as paper mache sculptures, paintings, or even clothing items. You could even have a craft party with friends to share ideas and materials.

VISIT

Visit a rat and mouse sanctuary

Take a trip to a rat and mouse sanctuary to learn more about these fascinating creatures and support their conservation efforts. You may even get to interact with some of the animals and see them in their natural habitat.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day

They promote education and awareness

American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day is a perfect opportunity to educate people about these often misunderstood animals. By celebrating this holiday, we can raise awareness about proper care for pet rats and mice and dispel any negative stereotypes surrounding them.

Rat and mice make great pets

While some may be scared of rodents, rats and mice can actually make amazing and loving companions. They are highly intelligent and easily trainable, making them fun to interact with. Plus, they have unique personalities that will keep you entertained for hours!

They're perfect for small spaces

If you live in a smaller home or apartment, a rat or mouse is the ideal pet. They require minimal space and don't need to be taken outside for walks - which means less cleanup for you! Just make sure they have plenty of toys and activities to keep them stimulated.

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