American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day on 12 November celebrates domesticated rats and mice as intelligent, affectionate pets.
- UK (not marked)
- USA
- Ireland (not marked)
- Canada (not marked)
- Australia (not marked)
- New Zealand (not marked)
- UAE and Gulf (not marked)
- International (not marked)
About the day
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day falls on 12 November and celebrates fancy rats and mice, domesticated rodents bred for temperament and appearance. National Today notes that the rat fancy as an organised hobby began in 1901, when Mary Douglas asked to show her pet rats at a National Mouse Club exhibition in England. In the US, the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association, founded in 1983, promotes them as companion animals and holds shows in Southern California.
People mark the day by spending time with their pets, adopting from small animal rescues, donating, watching shows and sharing photos with #FancyRatMouseDay.
The day suits pet shops, small animal rescues, veterinary practices, pet food brands and pet media.
Dates for the next three years
| Year | Date | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday 12 November 2026 | USA | Same date every year |
| 2027 | Friday 12 November 2027 | USA | Same date every year |
| 2028 | Sunday 12 November 2028 | USA | Same date every year |
Sectors this day suits
Types of business that could link their activity to this day.
- Pet shops
- Animal rescues
- Veterinary practices
- Pet food brands
- Pet media
Questions and answers
When is American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day 2026?
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day 2026 is on Thursday 12 November 2026. It falls on the same date every year.
Who organises American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day?
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day has no single organiser. Many organisations mark it independently.
Where is American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day marked?
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day is marked in the USA.
Where do these details come from?
We checked these details against one source, including National Today: American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day. They were last checked on 7 November 2026.
Where this information comes from
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