Rats have a bad rap for no reason at all. The consensus is that rats are dirty, mean disease-carrying pests – but this idea couldn’t be further from the truth, and some devoted rat-lovers are working to change that public perception.
The folks over at Rachie’s Retirement Home provide shelter for rats of all walks of life. They know that rats are actually lovely, social animals that can bond with humans, display affection, play, cuddle and comfort in times of trouble. So RRH rescues rats and places at new forever homes that would appreciate them for the amazing animals they are.
But their job doesn’t end there. They also work hard to spread awareness and understanding about rats, and they came up with a special strategy: on their Facebook page, they not only share photos of their rats but also hold a weekly “Best and Worst Rat of the Week” contests. Each week they share the praiseworthy and shameful behaviors of their rats.
It’s both funny and adorable. A rat can be declared “Worst Rat of the Week” for chewing on shoelaces, trying to eat soap, sneaking out of the cage and more. But there’s more to it than that – by “shaming” the rats, RRH show their followers that rats are just as harmless and adorable as any other pet – ant even their mischiefs are sweet.