Wild rats have long been reviled as dirty and disease-ridden, but domestic rats are different, their owners say.

A beauty contest for pet rats, "Ratstravaganza" will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11 in New Westminster, B.C., the CBC's Bob Nixon reports.

The event runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sapperton Pensioners Hall, 318 Keary St., across from Royal Columbian Hospital.