They often get a bad press but rat-lover Becky Jarvis is hoping her prized pets impress the judges at a regional competition.
Yorkshire Rat Club member Mrs Jarvis, of Eastburn, near Keighley, will enter rats Otis and Solomon into the annual May Cup Show – known as the regional version of Crufts for rats.
Her rats will take part in the pet category, where they will be judged on their personalities, how they interact with humans and how they react to being handled.
Otis is a seven-month-old Russian Blue Berkshire rat and Solomon a one-year-old Black Hooded rat. They are named after their overall colour and markings.
Ms Jarvis, 32, of Main Road, said: “Rats get an undeserved bad press. Otis and Solomon love humans.”
The pet owner has been keeping rats for 15 years but only started competing recently.
The show at St Agnes Church Hall, Shakespeare Close, Leeds, on May 19. The venue opens at 10am and judging will start at 11am.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article