Why is the connection between feeder rats and fancy rats so important? The USDA has already created one completely artificial distinction between rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus bred for use in research - and everyone else. Laboratory rats and mice are identical to non-laboratory rats and mice; however, the research community insisted on creating two categories of animal to keep the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) out of laboratories.

Now, another special interest group wants to slice rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus into yet another independant category, ‘feeder’, in order to keep the AWA out of mass breeder warehouses - rodent puppy mills.

So, we have the same animals, Rattus norvegicus and Mus Musculus, already divided arbitrarily into ‘bred for use in research’ and not ‘bred for use in research’ in order to satisfy one special interest. In order to satisfy yet another special interest, the group will be divided again into ‘feeders’ and ‘non-feeders’. Despite the fact that feeder and pet rats are not only biologically identical animals: they come from the same source.

What a regulatory nightmare! The same animal, regulated under at least three different standards, depending on a completely arbitrary designation made by profit-making entities.