Rat is one of representative laboratory animals since the genetic and the environment is comparatively easy to control. Laboratory rats are widely used in the area of physiology, neuroethology, pathology and toxicology due to the approximately ten times larger body size compared to mouse, offering several unique advantages in surgical procedures and clinical sampling of blood, tissues, etc. This paper reviews the cultivation and utilization history of the laboratory rat resources abroad such as strain breeding, preservation and database establishment to provide references for collecting, sharing and utilizing laboratory rat resources in our country.