Disney's "Ratatouille" boosts demand for pet rats

[DrWebTK]

LONDON (Reuters) - It has four legs and a tail like a dog or a cat, so why shouldn't man's best friend be a...rat?

Demand for rats as pets has surged thanks to the latest Disney/Pixar animated film "Ratatouille" featuring the adventures of a gourmet rat Remy demonstrating his culinary prowess in the top kitchens of Paris.

Pets at Home domestic pet chain says rat sales have surged 50 percent since the film opened in Britain on October 12.

"It's early doors yet, but it seems 'Ratatouille' has done wonders for the image of rats," said company spokesman Steve Fairburn said on the www.ukpets.co.uk Web site.

"Contrary to popular opinion, rats are actually one of the cleanest and least smelly pets you can own. They are incredibly responsive to learning and can be taught to do amazing tricks, much in the way that dogs and cats can," he added.

Indeed, the British experience appears to have been echoed wherever the film has been screened.

The United States reported a surge in demand for pet rats during the summer, and pet groups in Germany and Sweden have also said rat sales have surged thanks to the film.

But they also warn that, as with demand for pet puppies and kittens that can fade once the cute factor diminishes with age, a rat is for life not just the holidays.

 

[Kthleen]

But they also warn that, as with demand for pet puppies and kittens that can fade once the cute factor diminishes with age, a rat is for life not just the holidays.

I hope people remember that. I wonder how many returns the pet stores will get in the next month or two.

I've liked rats ever since I had a middle school Science teacher who had one named Freckles. She was so cute and soft and furry.... Though her nails hurt like hell when I put her on my neck. Plus I find rats cuter than mice.

Never had a rat of my own (my mom thinks rodents are nasty), and I certainly wouldn't get one just because of a movie (nevermind how few movies I watch), but I think it'd be nice to have one eventually.

 

[llxwarbirdxll]

Doesn't this thread seem oddly misplaced?

 

[Kthleen]

Yes. Yes, it does.

 

[XD375]

It's like it's a spambot from www.ukpets.co.uk...why is this the only post they made?

 

[llxwarbirdxll]

It's like it's a spambot from www.ukpets.co.uk

That's precisely what I was thinking. But after a search at the Reuters website, the article does exist: http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSL2850144620071028

 

[Dr. Peppa]

I had two rats... cedric and ghandi. They were great pets and they weren't gross at ALL.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

I've never had rats, but I've had mice. They're great, but I had to stop when my allergies got too bad.

 

[Snake Bandage]

Disney's?! WTF, I thought people were over with thinking Pixar movies are Disney's.

 

[Zeta]

Well, Disney does own Pixar now and Pixar is in charge of all of their animation department.

 

[llxwarbirdxll]

I still think that this is a spambot. It posted on the same exact date that it registered, and never returned to check for replies.