Rat owners frolic on Web sites that provide greets and treats

Pet websites are a chance to display pedigrees, recount rescue stories, and share one's pets with a wider world.

The fascination of online pet Web pages lies in the esoteric ways our pets behave, and, the wacky, unusual ways we interact with them.

Online, plenty of people refer to their pets as "children," and to themselves as "Mommy" and "Daddy." Most bloggers write in the voices of their pets.

Another site, Petster.com, is based on Mercer Island and was started by local Web entrepreneur Brian Cartmell. Rather than limiting profiles to one type of animal, Petster is open to all.

Harb said the friendly online community is a safe place, even for children.

"People are very serious about their pets. They identify with them," she said. "

...here here...

Charity launches World’s first Pet Rat beauty pag

Charity launches World’s first pet rat beauty pageant. Pet rat owners across the country are invited to enter a Ratless Rat Show in celebration of World Rat Day on 4th April.

The Ratless Rat Show is being run by CavyRescue – the UK’s first dedicated rat rescue charity – and participants stand a chance of winning some fabulous ratty goodies for their four legged furry friends.

A special prize of a luxury new rat home worth £80 (courtesy of pet accessory manufacturer Savic and leading pet store Pets At Home) will also be awarded to the Rescue Rat of the Year.

Jason Hulott, co-founder of the charity, says: “This year will be the third celebration of World Rat Day - a global celebration designed to recognise the fancy rat as a wonderful pet and companion animal for people of all ages - and we are particularly excited about the Ratless Rat Show.

“Unlike in previous years where we could only run local events, this year it will be nationwide with the Ratless Rat Show open to rat lovers across the country.

“It doesn’t matter whether your rat is a pure bred; a rescue or pet shop rat; old and a bit scruffy looking or young and glossy – every one has an equal chance of winning! We want to see your funniest, cutest, sweetest, naughtiest and grumpiest rat photographs!”

Each entry into the Show costs £1 with all monies going towards the cost and care of the rats currently at CavyRescue and all prizes have been kindly donated to the charity.

So, if you want a picture of your rat to be seen around the World as well as be in with a chance of winning some wonderful ratty goodies for them – including a new luxury pad! - then visit www.cavyrescue.co.uk for details of how to enter.

Businesses wishing to donate food or goods to help support this event, are invited to contact the rescue.


Editors’ notes:
The Ratless Rat Show is open to anyone and their rat in the UK
The closing date for entries is 3rd April 2006
Judging – which anyone can take part in via an online poll – starts on World Rat Day (4th April) and ends on 18th April 2006
All entries will be displayed on the CavyRescue website
Prizes have been kindly donated by various animal-related organisations, including a luxury Freddy 2 rat cage (courtesy of Savic and Pets At Home) for the Rescue Rat of the Year section. Other sponsors include Gentrix, Johnsons and soon to be launched www.fuzzbutt.co.uk

...and the winner is...