With a bad reputation that is centuries old, the common rat is often blamed for pestilence and always likened to a person of poor character. Yet there is an organisation that focuses primarily on their welfare.
Rascals Fancy Rat Rescue was established in 2005 and works as an adoption agency for people wanting to adopt, or give rats away. “The organisation works with the Pretoria Rattery, Mischief Rat Rescue, and Ratanooga in Cape Town, with members all over South Africa,” said Sharyn Gilfoy. She runs Rascals Fancy Rat Rescue in Johannesburg, and prides herself on taking care of rescued rats. “The aim of the fan clubs and the organisation is to inform people about rats as pets, and to help identify which rats are domesticated rats and which are wild rats.”
Gilfoy added people will often confuse street rats for pet rats. “One cannot take a street rat and bring it into their home to take care of. Domesticated rats are better to adopt as pets because they are not as vicious and aggressive as wild rats.” She added that people should not adopt a pet rat and then throw it out into the streets, as they would not survive nearly as well as wild rats. “Those who want to bring a rat into their home should rather first make sure that the rats are of the right kind.”
Details: www.rattyrascals.co.za
