Yes, it’s true: The practically brand new county animal shelter in Guilford County does indeed have rats; however, they are the nice, adorable, friendly kind of rats that many people love to have as pets.
This week, Guilford County Animal Services Director Jorge Ortega asked the Rhino Times: “Would you like a rat?”
“A what?” came the response.
“A rat.”
It took a little more conversation to clear up the matter, but Ortega explained why the shelter is now pushing rats.
It appears as though a man in Guilford County was living out of a storage unit, and the concerned owner of the storage unit business looked into the matter, which ultimately led to the discovery that, not only had a man been living out of the storage unit, he also had 68 rats that keeping him company in the unit.
Ortega said that having pet rats is popular with some people. The Guilford County Animal Shelter is now looking after the rats until they can place them in their forever homes.
While most people will move heaven and earth to keep rats out of their house, many people in the US and other places around the world lovingly invite the creatures into their homes and keep them as pets.
Domesticated rats – which are often called “fancy rats” – are very different from their counterparts that scurry under your home and sneak into your kitchen in the dark of night seeking out that tasty hunk of deadly cheese or peanut butter.
Domesticated rats are bred to be friendly, social and intelligent – traits that many say makes them great companions.
Pet rats are generally clean animals; they’re considered easy to train, and, like dogs, they enjoy interacting with their owners.
Fancy rats can even learn tricks, and, get this, recognize their own names.
Who knew?
Again, if any of this is selling you on the idea, you need to get down to the Guilford County animal shelter and pick up one or more before they’re all gone.
In recent years, the popularity of owning pet rats has been increasing, in part due to the way social media has changed people’s perceptions about the creatures. Social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok are filled with videos of adorable rats doing tricks, snuggling up against their owners and generally being fun and loveable.
Rats are also relatively low-maintenance pets compared to cats or dogs – though they do require a proper cage and, for mental health, social interaction with humans or other rats.
So, it’s a good idea to get two or three rats if you get one. They tend to thrive in small groups.
Fancy rats are a growing trend among animal lovers who seek the particular joys a rodent companion can bring.
They come in a wide variety of colors and coat types – from black to white, sleek to fluffy, spotted to patterned, you name it.
Also, animal observers consider rats to be very smart.
They can, for instance, be trained to come when called, and even use a litter box.
And, yes, many rat owners like to snuggle up to their pets just as cat and dog lovers do with theirs.
Despite the bad rap for being nasty and dirty, rats are actually surprisingly clean: They spend a large part of their day grooming themselves.
Rat lovers say that if you do adopt one, you need to remember that they require a spacious cage, fresh bedding and a well-balanced diet; however, their needs are minimal compared to, say, a pet dog or a pet kangaroo.
They’re pretty content as long as they have a safe environment, some toys to chew on and some regular interaction with humans.
While one dog year equals seven people years, one rat year more or less equals 25 or 30 people years. Rats typically only live two to three years – which can be hard on owners who grow attached.
(On the positive side, a pet rat seems like it would be pretty easy to replace.)
If you get to the Guilford County animal shelter before all the rats are taken, you can probably get one at a terrific price. Here’s the list of adoption costs these days:
Kittens, 6 months and under – $75
Puppies, 6 months and under – $75
Adult Dogs – $75
Adult Cats – $75
Senior dogs – $25
Senior cats – $10
Rabbits/Guinea Pigs – $25
As you will notice, rats aren’t on the list, but the shelter’s website says that the adoption fees for other animals “vary” and that you should “Check with the front desk for pricing.”
The Rhino Times imagines that the shelter might negotiate on the price and also suggests that you start with a very low offer of, say, $5 per rat.
Most likely these rats at the Guilford County migrated from the City Hall?
Are they “documented”? I wouldn’t want anyone harbouring an undocumented migrant squeekums !
Attention PET SNAKE OWNERS, dinner is served!
Are they “documented”? I wouldn’t want anyone harbouring an undocumented migrant squeekums !
I’m betting there are only 4 legged ones at the shelter, all the 2 legged ones are in city hall or the county commissioner’s chambers
are they up for adoption ?
I believe so.
Well, rats need shelter, too.
Rats are being used by APOPO, a Belgian based rescue organization, to search out survivors of earthquakes. They are also used in landmine detection.
Over the years we had rodents for pets; hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, & rabbits.
Hamsters are fun, if you know how to tame them (I do). Don’t give them anywhere to hide in their cage. If need be, wear a heavy glove when you reach in the cage. Pick them up for a bit, and put them back. Wait a minute and do it again. Repeat until hamster thinks; “enough already, pick me up any time you like”. Don’t surprise them. If they stand up on their hind legs and sqwauk at you like a parrot, leave them alone.
Hamster 101.