People increasingly intrigued with rats as pets

"The first time I held a rat, I fell in love with them because I thought they were so cute," 13-year-old Bleu said.

She chose her first rat, Angel, after the furry creature came right up to her when she put her nose up to the cage.

Bleu now has three rats, Velvet, Smokey and Hannah, and has even inspired her brothers to get rats.

"My mom loves my rats, too," Bleu said of her mom, Linda Bleu.

That's important. Bleu's friend, Tammie Thibert, 13, who recently took the rats on an outing to the park with Bleu, said her mom wouldn't let her have rats because she's scared of them.

Bleu gave the trio a bath before the outing. She used specially formulated rat shampoo to make them smell good, she said.

Great Falls veterinarian Rick Scherr said small animal medicine has had to expand with the needs of its clients.

...people are also downsizing on their pets too

One, two, three pet rats

Exotic pets find place in Montanans’ hearts

Thirteen-year-old Tara Bleu loves her three pet rats, Velvet, Smokey and Hannah, and has even inspired her brothers to get rats.

She’s among a growing number of Montanans who keep exotic pets.

Great Falls veterinarian Rick Scherr said the field of small animal medicine has expanded to meet growing demand. “People are literally intrigued with it,” he said. “Most of (these animals) are not considered exotic anymore.”

...rats the best pocket pets out there!

Miracle - One Lucky Pet Rat

Miracle was rescued from a snake tank where he managed to elude the snake for four months. He is either a smart rat or very fast one! Now he is looking for a loving forever home - no snakes please!

Pet rats can make wonderful pets. Rats are clean, intelligent, affectionate animals which bond to their human companions in much the same way that dogs do. Rats can be taught to come by name and learn a variety of tricks.

Unlike many other rodents, however, rats are a fairly high maintenance pet. They need at least an hour's playtime outside their cage every day. Because they are much more intelligent than many other small animals, rats can suffer if not given enough attention, free-range time, and environmental stimulation.

Miracle is available for adoption through Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption. For more information call (619) 934-6007.

...Please give Miracle a wonderful loving home and adopt him :-)

What's your pet rat laughing at?

Animal play is nothing new, however. Scientists have long suspected that some animals smile or laugh.

Rats, for example, have been shown to chirp delightedly above the range of human hearing when wrestling with one another. Orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas also
make laughing noises as they play.

...just be careful not to trip or fall in front of your little buddy :o)