Disney's "Ratatouille" boosts demand for pet rats

[DrWebWQ]

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.

[youreit]

theres a bum downtown here who has a dog and a cat and a rat and his little trick is he has them all stand on each others backs while seated

[branespload]

This is one of the most bizarre first posts I've ever seen..

[Pandemonium]

no doubt.

i thought that movie was terrible!

[Handlethevibe]

i thought that movie was terrible!

Definitely not. Pixar makes incredible movies and the majority of cinephiles are buzzing over the upcoming Wall-E.

[codymk127]

that movie was fucking rad. me and my sisters have had like 6 different pet rats since i was 10