National Rat Day is an annual celebration dedicated to appreciating rats as pets and companions, aiming to challenge misconceptions and highlight their positive qualities as intelligent, loyal, and endearing creatures.
Quick Facts
When is it?: April 4th annually
Tagged as: Animal appreciation day
What’s the hashtag?: #WorldRatDay
When was it founded?: 2002
Who founded it?: Members of the Ratlist (an internet mailing list for rat enthusiasts)
History
The day emerged from discussions among pet rat enthusiasts who wanted to create a holiday that would honor rats and educate the public about their capabilities as pets. The specific date of April 4th was chosen as a tribute to the Ratlist, one of the longest-standing mailing lists dedicated to pet rats.
Timeline
• 1995: Creation of the Ratlist mailing list at University of Washington
• 1996: Ratlist moves to Rat & Mouse Club of America
• 2002: Official establishment of World Rat Day
• 2020: Gained significant social media attention with over 7,191 mentions
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April | 4 | Friday |
| 2026 | April | 4 | Saturday |
| 2027 | April | 4 | Sunday |
| 2028 | April | 4 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | April | 4 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | April | 4 | Thursday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by sharing rat-related stories, organizing Ratfests, giving special treats to pet rats, hosting educational programs, and sharing photos on social media. Many organize events to promote positive awareness about rats as pets.
Fun Facts About Rats
• Rats have been around for over 50 million years
• In Chinese zodiac, rats are the first animal in the twelve-year cycle
• They’re highly intelligent and can learn complex tasks
• Rats have contributed significantly to medical research
• They share similar physiological and psychological traits with humans
Quiz
- When was World Rat Day established?
- What was the original purpose of the Ratlist?
- Which animal comes first in the Chinese zodiac?
(Answers: 1. 2002, 2. To connect pet rat enthusiasts, 3. Rat)
FAQs
Q: Why was April 4th chosen?
A: It was chosen to commemorate the beginning of the Ratlist community.
Q: What’s the main purpose of World Rat Day?
A: To promote positive awareness about rats as pets and challenge negative stereotypes.
Related Celebrations
• Pet Day
• Love Your Pet Day
• Take Your Pet to Work Day
• Chinchilla Day
• Ferret Day