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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / January 2008Is it just me or...
Am I nuts in thinking that rats are not disposable pets? When you take in an animal, it should be a life long commitment, not when it becomes inconvenient to you. :(  SignatureJoanne The Rat Shack www.jorats.com > Am I nuts in thinking that rats are not disposable pets? When you take in > an animal, it should be a life long commitment, not when it becomes > inconvenient to you. :( No, it's not just you, and you're not nuts. I totally agree! But of course this goes for any pet; they are no "disposable" pets. Anyone who thinks a pet is disposable certainly is nuts. - Tale Signature"Oh, Rats!" http://www.taletn.com/rats/ > Am I nuts in thinking that rats are not disposable pets? When you take > in an animal, it should be a life long commitment, not when it becomes > inconvenient to you. :( No, I agree with you too, fwiw. I imagine there could be very extreme circumstances where the pets benefit from an alternative home, but generally I'd do all I could to avoid this & if I had to take that option I'd be very picky about where they end up. Fortunately, if we're ever in that situation, I think without exception all our breeders have said they'd take the rat/s back - it's a purchase condition with most of them that they are given this opportunity. TBH if it came to this, the only choice I could live with would be if all our rats went to a new home where I knew they'd stay together, perhaps also being introduced to a bigger colony. Even that would be heart breaking. > Am I nuts in thinking that rats are not disposable pets? When you take in > an animal, it should be a life long commitment, not when it becomes > inconvenient to you. :( All of mine are lifelong. I once got two from a large pet store, they both had undergrown bottom jaws and had to have their teeth clipped regularly. I pointed that out to one of the staff at the store incase the rest of the letter were the same, she replied that I could have brought them back and got a refund. Would she have done that with her children? About 12 years ago my dog and I were homeless for some time, staying a few nights here and there with different friends, it was amazing how many people didn't understand that I would not give him up just to get accommodation quicker. I love all my babies forever. Their lives are short, but the memories they leave on my heart last a lifetime. Blessings, Lynn kitty Am I nuts in thinking that rats are not disposable pets? When you take in an animal, it should be a life long commitment, not when it becomes inconvenient to you. :( SignatureJoanne The Rat Shack www.jorats.com If people want a disposable pet, they should get one of those robo pets, or a tamagotchi thingy. if people can't handle the responsibility of owning a rat for it's entire life, they should get a girl/boy friend instead, they generaly handle being dumped for something more exiting pretty well, plus they can fend for them selves when it happens :) wouldent it be nice if pet shops (sorry for the language) made people who wanted to buy one of their pets take home an electronic pet for a few weeks, then when they come back, they look at the data on how they looked after it, and only if they did a good job do they get the right to own a real animal, i'd bet half the people wouldent even bother going back with the electronic pet, it'd be in a drawer somewhere forgotten about. > If people want a disposable pet, they should get one of those robo > pets, or a tamagotchi thingy. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > going back with the electronic pet, it'd be in a drawer somewhere > forgotten about. Fantastic idea. knowing my luck if I got an electric pet it would steal the batteries out of everything else in the house :-) Sadly a lot of attitude to pets are instilled into people as kids, it's amazing how many pets I have taken from homes in the past to hear the parents say, it's my sons/daughters pet they can do what they want with it. Yet the minute I waived the fee for fixing their PC in exchange for the pet they couldn't wait to get rid. I got two cockatiels once where one was almost completely bald, two mice who were in a cage on the floor with a cat trying to get to them, two elderly female rats in a fish tank half filled with urine saturated sawdust, a male rat who had never been handled (my first real rat bite) two terrapins, a rabbit that was in a cage so small he couldn't turn round. Oh and almost forgot the rather large chicken, she was amazingly hard to rehome, took me over a week and it is amazing how much mess one chicken in a bathroom can make :-) > I got two cockatiels once where one was almost completely bald, two mice who > were in [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > much mess one chicken in a > bathroom can make :-) Sounds like you have some fun memories >> I got two cockatiels once where one was almost completely bald, two mice > who [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Sounds like you have some fun memories LOL, some of them recent, my partner arrived here with a pheasant who, had a fractured beak and concusion a couple of days ago. He is now at Hessilhead wildlife rescue centre (who do fantastic work). > Am I nuts in thinking that rats are not disposable pets? When you take in > an animal, it should be a life long commitment, not when it becomes > inconvenient to you. :( I totally agree, when you decide to give any animal a home it should be for life, providing the best possible care you can. Thinking about the time of year we are now at, it breaks my heart when I hear about all the abandoned puppies after Christmas is over - pups bought for Christmas presents without a thought to the responsibilities of dog ownership. Tracey > Thinking about the time of > year we are now at, it breaks my heart when I hear about all the abandoned > puppies after Christmas is over - pups bought for Christmas presents without > a thought to the responsibilities of dog ownership. Even worse is that the film Ratatoilie has recently finished showing at the cinema's, and will be out on DVD in time for xmas, How many parents will get a real rat to go with the DVD for their kids, thinking it'll be just like a plush toy, only better. I noticed in one pet shop in germany that blue rats were suddenly being stocked, and on their tanks were posters for ratatoilie!!!! the DVD isnt out in germany till next year thankfully, but i wonder if when it is, that pet shop will do a 'buy the dvd get a reme rat free' offer :( remember the ninja turtles films back in the early 90's, how many turtles are living in the sewers after being flushed down the loo as a result of that, i was at school when the turtles were the latest craze, one kid had 4 of them, and he brought them into art class one day to make little ninja swords and the like for them, which he tried to glue onto their shells, the teacher didn't stop him till he tried to paint the head band thingies on them over their eyes, his argument was 'they're mine, i paid for them, and i can do what a want with them' For sure, rats and other animals are not disposable pets! Although, if someone is not able or willing to really look after their rats, personally, I'd prefer to see these rats re-homed with someone who is committed to caring for them. However it is not right to take these rats back to the pet store (or worse). Dewi i think that as long as the reasons are good, a person can get rid of their rat. ex: -they develop an allergic reaction to the animal. with rats, occupational asthma can occur up to 10 years after a person is first introduced to rats. if the person decided to keep the rat, their condition would become worse and possibly become chronic. - the rat changes in a way that makes it undesirable to keep. overly aggressive animals have no place as pets. - rats that have a contagious disease or parasite. - they don't want it and can find a good home for it. joanne, i can't help but feel that your comment is at least in part directed towards me because of my comments in the "what to do" thread. if that is the case, my reply would be: the poster asked advice. i gave it. what more can i say? keeping the rat no matter what isn't always an option for everyone. > i think that as long as the reasons are good, a person can get rid of their > rat. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Absolutely nothing to do with you Rat Lord, I've just been seeing way too many rats in the classifieds lately. :( SignatureJoanne The Rat Shack www.jorats.com While I agree that many people get rid of pets for the wrong reasons, I understand that there are many reasons why you may not be able to keep a rat. As for the term 'Disposable' I hate to admit it, but I have used the term before. Its hard to justify spending hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars on a rat that cost you 8 bucks (and that's for a well bred one). I love my Scoot, but there are reasons that make it near impossible to keep a rat. Now my Scoot has given me no reason to ever consider it, and for a long time Scat hadn't either. But when he became extreemly violent, I could not keep him. Many people suggested get him nutered. I asked my vet how much it was going to cost, and the price really made my choice for me. Sometimes there are issues that come up that cause you to make a choice you didnt want to make. There is also a difference between the types of pets. A cat has a lifespan of 15-25 years depending on how long, so paying the money to get them fixed and all the shots and stuff. Now, I pay the money every time the rats get sick, but honestly, spending 300 bucks for getting the rat fixed is crazy! Especially when they have a lifespan of 2, maybe 3 years at most. I'm sure that I will get grief for this, and its okay, but I hope you will have heard me out like I did with your messages. I assume you made the choice to have the violent rattie put to sleep judging by the "tone" of your message which is completely understandable by me. Nobody has the right to say that you must accept their choice for a decision you must make yourself depending on your unique situation. Only advice should be shared but not imposed by someone and their personal experiences. I hope this made sense. :) Samantha C. in OK > While I agree that many people get rid of pets for the wrong reasons, I > understand that there are many reasons why you may not be able to keep a [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > heard > me out like I did with your messages. SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com I did not have him put to sleep. I contacted my vet to find out about a rescue since he isnt evil to anyone but my friend. One of the vets there wanted to take him. I was honest about what happened and why I couldnt keep him, and she took him and now he is happy and comfortable in his new life. Scoot is adjusting to it all. > While I agree that many people get rid of pets for the wrong reasons, I > understand that there are many reasons why you may not be able to keep a [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > heard > me out like I did with your messages. i'm not going to give you grief but your vet charging you 300$ kinda pisses me off. where i live, it costs $70. > While I agree that many people get rid of pets for the wrong reasons, I > understand that there are many reasons why you may not be able to keep a rat. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > that I will get grief for this, and its okay, but I hope you will have heard > me out like I did with your messages. Sorry but for me, there's no difference, simply paying $8 for a rat is no reason for not covering all their vet needs. SignatureJoanne The Rat Shack www.jorats.com > Sorry but for me, there's no difference, simply paying $8 for a rat is > no reason for not covering all their vet needs. I agree, I would pay any amount if I thought the vet could do anything for Tar. >> Sorry but for me, there's no difference, simply paying $8 for a rat >> is no reason for not covering all their vet needs. > > I agree, I would pay any amount if I thought the vet could do anything > for Tar. I never cease to be amazed at how little a rat can be bought for in some countries. Here, they usually retail for around the equivalent of $20 US, and I think that's cutting it fine in terms of giving them the right care (food, bedding etc.) until they're sold. I guess many retailers consider the animals themselves a "loss leader" - they sell them at a loss and hope to make up for it on the food, bedding, cages etc. that you buy from them later. Either that, of course, or they're feeder rats. I've never seen live feeder rats, just frozen ones. The trouble wth selling animals at such a low price is, as you say, that people consider them cheap and therefore disposable. Like cheap DVD players - why get it fixed if you can buy a new one for less? Grrrrrrrrr. Rosemary I agree totally !!! $5 or $500 it makes no difference. When you take on any pet you take on the responsibility for it this includes Vet bills, feed, and personal medical costs if you have allergies. I am on histimines 24/7 and its because of the Rats and the Rabbits. It has never crossed my mind to rehome my furry family... and that is probably because they ARE family. I get a nasty reaction to my kids squabbling, I wouldn't rehome them either..(no matter how tempting LOL). I believe it has a lot to do with how we see our Fur babies. Are they "Pets" or "Family Members" to you. As for $300.00 for neutering or spaying... I think any Vet that charges that for a Ratty should be shot! My opinion and although I may raise the ire of a few, my posting is not to be taken personally this is just my feelings. I love my furry family as much as my hairless bunch :) Regards Kate >>> Sorry but for me, there's no difference, simply paying $8 for a rat >>> is no reason for not covering all their vet needs. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Rosemary do you notice any side effects for those histimines? if you go off them do you start to wheez and/or sneeze? if so, you might want to consider allergy shots. way better long term than being on histimines. >I agree totally !!! $5 or $500 it makes no difference. When you take on >any pet you take on the responsibility for it this includes Vet bills, [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] >> >> Rosemary > The trouble wth selling animals at such a low price is, as you say, that > people consider them cheap and therefore disposable. Like cheap DVD players > - why get it fixed if you can buy a new one for less? > > Grrrrrrrrr. I know. Whenever we get asked what they cost to buy & feed, after telling them we always make a point of mentioning typical yearly vets bills, as they outweigh all other expenses put together. >>> Sorry but for me, there's no difference, simply paying $8 for a rat >>> is no reason for not covering all their vet needs. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Rosemary i get 3 bucks each for my rats and the retailers usually sell them for about 7-8 bucks. I think she meant that the rat just costing $8 was just the tip of the iceburg on many reasons not to spend hundreds and sometimes thousands on rat care that has a high chance of not even working or causing extreme discomfort afterwards that you have to have them put to sleep anyways. With so many starving,disadvantaged,abused, and unwanted children in this world, I just cannot afford the costs of more extreme vet care. Prescriptions most likely, surgery no. I have to put human kids first and then if something comes up with a rat healthwise then I will consider vet care,and weigh the pros and cons, for my ratties. I may get flamed for saying this but family first ratties second. I know the difference between a much loved pet and family member. I know some of you will disagree and that is ok to have your own opinion. Now just because I put human kids first does not mean I should not own a rat in the first place. Beleive me, my 2 female ratties are spoiled bunches. :) Samantha C. > > While I agree that many people get rid of pets for the wrong reasons, I > > understand that there are many reasons why you may not be able to keep a rat. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Sorry but for me, there's no difference, simply paying $8 for a rat is > no reason for not covering all their vet needs. SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com >> i think that as long as the reasons are good, a person can get rid of >> their rat. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Absolutely nothing to do with you Rat Lord, I've just been seeing way too > many rats in the classifieds lately. :( ahhh. my mistake. i wonder if it is fallout from the kiddies getting them after seeing that movie... I completely agree with your views The Rat Lord. Their are many many more reasons why someone may have to give up their rattie or have them humanely put to sleep. One reason may be the rats behavior towards children and any allergies the child may develop. Not all children antagonize animals that attack or severely bite them. I do find it odd how parents will protect an animal before their own children. It's like they automaticly believe the animal over the child. Once an animal gets the taste of blood, they are then put out of the picture with no guilt whatsoever. Samantha C. in OK >i think that as long as the reasons are good, a person can get rid of their >rat. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > what more can i say? keeping the rat no matter what isn't always an option > for everyone. SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
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