ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY PLAYHOUSE — Broadcasting a familiar message from all available platforms, Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society Branch is urging families to think long and hard before purchasing a rat this Easter.
“They look cute and cuddly, sure, but at the end of the day they’re independent animals with needs,” wrote chapter president Ansel McAdams, 45, in a widely-shared Facebook post. “So before you adopt a rat because you think it’ll make for a cute photo or make a nice surprise in an Easter Basket, ask yourself: Am I ready for this responsibility?”
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McAdams, who cares for several rat rescues himself, went on to add that their chapter of the Society receives a huge influx of abandoned rats every spring, after the holiday is over and reality sinks in. “Their tails are cute and scaly and they scurry around like nobody’s business, but they aren’t stuffed animals. If you aren’t prepared to care for them for the rest of their natural or artificial lifespan, don’t buy a rat just for the holiday .”
The Anti-Cruelty Society’s website is taking pains to educate the public on the seedy and unethical seasonal rat-selling business. “Rat farms and rat mills unfortunately pop up every year in the weeks before Easter,” reads a blog article authored by volunteer rodent advocate Penny Anderson, 26. “Almost all of the rats for sale at these unapproved mills are babies, too young to be separated from their rat moms. Do you want to be breastfeeding an unweaned baby rat? Do you? Do you actually? Does that sound good to you? Really?”
“People breed all these baby rats to sell for four weeks of the year. Folks aren’t as interested in adult rats, let alone elderly rats, so a lot of these guys end up on the streets,” said McAdams, feeding one raisins to one of the foster rats nestled in his lap. “This is a business model designed to exploit and hurt animals. It’s not natural. It’s animal abuse, and it shouldn’t be happening at all. It makes me want to get in my Cadillac and just drive until I hit Malibu.”
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While rats can be a big responsibility, they make wonderful pets. “I don’t mean to deter anyone interested in adding a rat to the family, especially this time of year,” said McAdams, past rescues swarming and nipping at his slippered feet. “I got my first rat in my basket from the Easter Rat, same as a lot of kids. Done right, it’s a great thing. But families need to understand that they’re taking on an animal with a heart and soul and seventeen beautiful toes.” When asked if McAdams had any big plans for Easter, he shook his head. “I’ll be here,” he said, over the chittering and squeaking of his rescued wards. “I’ll be with the rats.”
