Sourcing Rats for Dissection

[Robbie]

For a number of years we have obtained rats for dissection from the Gore Hill Research Lab. However, they have stopped breeding/supplying these little critters.

Any suggestions for an alternative source of supply - preferably somewhere in Sydney? I'm sure Year 10 will be deeply saddened if no rats show up.

Hope all who have just had a break had an enjoyable time.

Robbie

[lada]

We get our rats from Southern Biological
ph 03 9877 4597
They come frozen, packed with ice in polystyrene box.
Good luck
Lada

[cactus155]

I am not in NSW but when I used to need rats I would ring the animal house at the University of Tasmania, so maybe a local Uni. would a option

[RosalieM]

We get them from Southern Biological too, but we get the preserved rats, not the frozen ones, so it doesn't matter if they don't get used straight away. I keep them in a box in my chemical store.

[J]

We get those too. Because of our location they can't guarantee the frozen ones will be delivered frozen and in a fit state to use. Unfortunately the preservative they are in is REALLY smelly. I'd rather handle a fresh rat any day.
Thank goodness we only have to do it once a year.

Julie

[Slartibartfast]

Anywhere that sells reptile supplies. You'd be surprised how many pet stores do. Choice of size and colours too! I know of 7 shops just here on the Central Coast that supply good sized rats/mice. You can have them fresh or frozen but not preserved for obvious reasons. One place I know of breeds their own and they are massive buggers too - good for short sighted students/teachers.

When I went to school, it was part of our yr10 science studies to breed our own then dissect them when they were big enough! Ah! Gone are the days.

[Loopy]

It was the same for me "42", the days where the science teacher gassed the rats. EEwww!

But I am at the age now that I can't stand the thought of killing something to look inside it and personally would pay for the model rat that you can pull apart as if you are dissecting it or a CD! Gutless (no pun intended), I know...

Lou.

[Lis]

Hi Richard,

can you tell me the pet stores,on the Coast that have the rats, please, for future reference.We have just got a few from Newcastle Uni, they were pretty cheap.Local would be much more convenient.

thanks Lisa

[Slartibartfast]

ABC Aquaculture in Louisiana Rd breeds their own 4393 3131. Manns Rd Bird & Aquarium supplies (4323 1971) Manns Rd West Gosford has a huge stock of varying sizes. The Aquarium centre at Long Jetty 4333 5088. There are others but these are the ones we've used and are happy with.

[Lis]

Wow, thanks for that I wouldnt have even thought about pet shops, but I will check them out next time

Lisa