Rataphooey! Norway rat found in Calgary, but believed to be pet

CALGARY – Officials with the City of Calgary are trying to figure out whether a badly decomposed rat in a found in a southeast neighbourhood Friday was a pet or came into the city on a truck.

Alberta prides itself on being rat-free, and has only seen isolated cases of the rodents since the 1950s. Pet rats are forbidden under provincial law and rat sightings are treated with the utmost urgency.

The discovery comes only days after Alberta’s agriculture minister announced that more than a dozen Norway rats were discovered and killed at the dump in Medicine Hat, Alta., which is a few hours drive east of Calgary. Following his announcement, dozens more have been found and killed at the Medicine Hat region’s landfill.

“We take this as a high priority for us, so if people have any thoughts that they’ve seen a rat, call us right away,” said Greg Steinraths, acting director of City of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services.

The city says the rodent was collected by a bylaw officer after a resident found the rat near his property.

No other evidence of rat activity has been found in the area.

The neighbourhood will be monitored on an ongoing basis until bylaw officers are satisfied there are no more rats.

“Because it is located right by a major thoroughfare, our initial thought is that it is possibly off of a truck,” said Steinraths.

It’s possible to tell the difference between a pet rat and a feral rat based on the animal’s colouring, tail length and skull size, he said.

Calgary gets about 200 rat reports a year, only about four to six of which end up actually being the real thing.

“The majority of those that we go and investigate are muskrats, squirrels, chipmunks — you name it,” said Steinraths.

In Medicine Hat, bylaw officers who usually relocate bull snakes will now take the reptiles to the landfill in the hopes that they will eat the rats. That’s in addition to baited traps and high-definition trail cameras to track the scurrying scavengers.

Ed Jollymore, Medicine Hat’s waste manager, has said it’s all hands on deck to tackle the infestation and believes the media attention the rat problem is getting will help.

Alberta estimates its rat control measures have prevented what would have been $1 billion in rodent-caused damage over the last 50 years.

Agricultural fieldmen, known by Albertans as the “Rat Patrol,” eliminate invading rats within a control zone 600 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide along the province’s eastern boundary.

The province says one pair of rats can thrive and begin a chain of breeding that can produce as many as 15,000 offspring a year, as long as they are close to food and sheltered from the weather and predators.

Public education campaigns in Alberta routinely stress the importance of keeping the province rat-free. Members of the public are encouraged to learn to identify Norway rats and are urged to alert provincial officials if they spot one.

Article source: http://www.680news.com/news/national/article/393030--rataphooey-norway-rat-found-in-calgary-but-believed-to-be-pet

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Five Reasons Why a Rat May Be Your New Best Friend

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/five-reasons-why-a-rat-may-be-your-new-best-friend-2013-05-14

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Five Reasons Why a Rat May Be Your New Best Friend

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/five-reasons-why-a-rat-may-be-your-new-best-friend-2013-05-14

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Five Reasons Why a Rat May Be Your New Best Friend

Find Out More About These Surprisingly Cuddly, Social Animals at Petco(TM)'s Free, Family-Friendly "Meet the Critters" Event 
 

SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — While most people come home to curl up with their dogs or cats, an estimated 500 thousand Americans come home to pet rats. It may be surprising to learn that rats are rather social creatures and actually love to snuggle and crave company — either in the form of other rats or their lucky pet parents. To learn more about these great cuddle buddies and how to care for their physical, mental, social and emotional needs, attend any of the Petco(TM) free, family-friendly Meet the Critters events taking place nationwide May 18-19, 2013 from 1 p.m. — 2 p.m.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/MM03037)

Below are five reasons why rats make great companions:

   -- They're appreciative: While spending time with their pet parents, rats 
      may grind their teeth in something called "bruxing." Reasons for bruxing 
      are similar to why cats purr -- they're emotionally happy! 
 
   -- They're considerate: Rats have been known to travel in packs and like to 
      be socially engaged. They may even take care of their sick or injured 
      friends. 
 
   -- They're clean: Rats like to stay clean, and to keep physically fit they 
      will comb their hair and help a friend out at the same time by using 
      their teeth to help them stay attractive. 
 
   -- They're likely to remember pet parents: Rats have been kept as pets since 
      the early 19th century and are considered the most intelligent rodent for 
      being able to learn simple behaviors such as recognizing faces they see 
      often. Attendees of the family-friendly "Meet the Critters" event can 
      learn more about how to keep rats mentally alert. 
 
   -- They're engaging: Pet rats enjoy climbing up and down their habitats, but 
      they also enjoy out-of-cage time. Keep rats physically fit by allowing 
      them to run around in an exercise ball to get some energy out. 

Caring for rats can be a fun and unique experience! However, parental supervision is recommended for pet parents under 12. For more information on this month’s “Meet the Critters” event visit www.petco.com/kids.

About Petco

Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

Contact:

Monica Vigo

619.501.2756

mvigo@west-pr.com

SOURCE Petco

Article source: http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130514-909024.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Woman lived with thousands of rats in animal hoarding case

COCONINO COUNTY – Animal hoarding is on the rise in Arizona and while it’s usually dogs or cats that people collect in large numbers, one woman’s love for rats led her to keeping thousands of them in her home.

It happened in Coconino County and while health officials won’t name the woman involved, they say she had thousands of pet rats in her home, each one with its own special name.

“She knew that it had gotten out of control but she could not bring herself to deal with it,” Marlene Gaither says.

She is talking about thousands of rats a Coconino County woman called family. Gaither is with the Coconino County Public Health Services District and talked about the unusual case at a seminar at Arizona State University Wednesday.

“That many rats would go through several 50-pounds dog foods a night. Fifty-pound bags of dog food a night,” Gaither says.

She says the rats weren’t the only creatures the woman hoarded. She also kept large numbers of tarantulas and hissing cockroaches as roommates and her neighbors finally had enough.

“The homeowner’s association was having a problem with the smell from the house and this is a very respectable, nice neighborhood,” Gaither says.

She says a number of agencies had no choice but to join forces in getting rid of many of the rats, spiders and cockroaches and cleaning up the smelly, damaged home.

The home the woman shared with the rats, cockroaches and tarantulas was lost to foreclosure and Gaither says it was gutted and thoroughly cleaned. 

She also says if animal hoarders don’t get help, in 100 percent of the cases they go back to collecting animals.

This woman in Coconino County may be doing that now in another state.

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Article source: http://www.azfamily.com/news/Woman-lived-with-hundreds-of-rats-gave-126291088.html

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Infinite Crisis video stars Gaslight Joker, a cleaver wielding maniac with pet …

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Story by Stephany Nunneley

Fri, May 17, 2013 | 14:35 BST

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Infinite Crisis has revealed Gaslight Joker as its latest champion. The fella “butchers his opponents” with a bloody cleaver and swarms of rats who he hasn’t fed very well. This is what you will have to contend with when fighting the fella in the arena. Hit up the break for a look at his abilities in action. Infinite Crisis is out later this year on PC.

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Article source: http://www.vg247.com/2013/05/17/infinite-crisis-video-stars-gaslight-joker-a-cleaver-wielding-maniac-with-pet-rats/

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Rats blown up in microwave at party, it is claimed

A MAN has been arrested after two pet rats were allegedly blown up in a microwave as a sick stunt at a party.

Sickened members of the public called police after spotting comments about the alleged abuse on Facebook.

A police spokesman said: “One male has been arrested following inquiries in connection with animal cruelty. The individual is on bail.”

It is thought the rats were bought from a pet shop in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, last week.

Horrified staff have been co-operating with police.

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/02/08/rats-blown-up-in-microwave-at-party-it-is-claimed-115875-22906867/

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Five Reasons Why a Rat May Be Your New Best Friend

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SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — While most people come home to curl up with their dogs or cats, an estimated 500 thousand Americans come home to pet rats. It may be surprising to learn that rats are rather social creatures and actually love to snuggle and crave company – either in the form of other rats or their lucky pet parents. To learn more about these great cuddle buddies and how to care for their physical, mental, social and emotional needs, attend any of the Petco™ free, family-friendly Meet the Critters events taking place nationwide May 18-19, 2013 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/MM03037)

Below are five reasons why rats make great companions:

• They’re appreciative: While spending time with their pet parents, rats may grind their teeth in something called “bruxing.” Reasons for bruxing are similar to why cats purr – they’re emotionally happy!
• They’re considerate: Rats have been known to travel in packs and like to be socially engaged. They may even take care of their sick or injured friends.
• They’re clean: Rats like to stay clean, and to keep physically fit they will comb their hair and help a friend out at the same time by using their teeth to help them stay attractive.
• They’re likely to remember pet parents: Rats have been kept as pets since the early 19^th century and are considered the most intelligent rodent for being able to learn simple behaviors such as recognizing faces they see often. Attendees of the family-friendly “Meet the Critters” event can learn more about how to keep rats mentally alert. 
• They’re engaging: Pet rats enjoy climbing up and down their habitats, but they also enjoy out-of-cage time. Keep rats physically fit by allowing them to run around in an exercise ball to get some energy out.

Caring for rats can be a fun and unique experience! However, parental supervision is recommended for pet parents under 12. For more information on this month’s “Meet the Critters” event visit www.petco.com/kids.

About Petco
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

Contact:
Monica Vigo
619.501.2756
mvigo@west-pr.com

SOURCE Petco

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/five-reasons-why-a-rat-may-be-your-new-best-friend-207352891.html

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

High-speed shunt for police car

By Erin Bishop  July 15 2011

Serious crash investigators were last night looking into the cause of a crash involving a police car at Chertsey.

Ashburton police sergeant Sean Buchanan said the marked police patrol car was parked on the side of the State Highway 1 having just completed a routine traffic stop when it was hit from behind by another vehicle shortly after 4pm.
The police car, from the Ashburton station, had two Ashburton police officers in it at the time and neither were hurt, but the driver of the vehicle which hit them was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital.
Mr Buchanan said the officers had pulled over a man for speeding and were parked on the side of the road with their red and blue flashing lights activated.
“They had a number of other vehicles pass them so they were clearly visible,” Mr Buchanan said.
They had completed the traffic stop and had just got back into the car and put their seat belts on when they were hit.
“We’re unsure of what speed the car was doing but it was at open road speed or less,” he said.
“Our two staff in the car are not showing any sign of injury but they may get a sore neck (today).”
Air bags deployed in the police car, the rear of which sustained serious damage.
The car was likely to be written off.
The driver who had been stopped for speeding was also still on the side of the road when the crash occurred and the police car was shunted into the back of his car. But he drove off and was stopped by Rakaia’s police officer, who was on his way to the accident.
That driver was taken back to the accident scene to be checked over.
Detours through Chertsey were in place last night as the road was expected to be closed for a number of hours while serious crash investigators and a police photographer looked into the cause, due to the fact a police car was involved.
A number of passengers in the car which hit the police car – pet rats in cages – survived the crash and were last night picked up and cared for by a friend of the injured woman.

Article source: http://www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz/news/ashburton-news/4680-high-speed-shunt-for-police-car.html

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats

Five Reasons Why a Rat May Be Your New Best Friend

SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — While most people come home to curl up with their dogs or cats, an estimated 500 thousand Americans come home to pet rats. It may be surprising to learn that rats are rather social creatures and actually love to snuggle and crave company – either in the form of other rats or their lucky pet parents. To learn more about these great cuddle buddies and how to care for their physical, mental, social and emotional needs, attend any of the Petco™ free, family-friendly Meet the Critters events taking place nationwide May 18-19, 2013 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/MM03037)

Below are five reasons why rats make great companions:

• They’re appreciative: While spending time with their pet parents, rats may grind their teeth in something called “bruxing.” Reasons for bruxing are similar to why cats purr – they’re emotionally happy!
• They’re considerate: Rats have been known to travel in packs and like to be socially engaged. They may even take care of their sick or injured friends.
• They’re clean: Rats like to stay clean, and to keep physically fit they will comb their hair and help a friend out at the same time by using their teeth to help them stay attractive.
• They’re likely to remember pet parents: Rats have been kept as pets since the early 19^th century and are considered the most intelligent rodent for being able to learn simple behaviors such as recognizing faces they see often. Attendees of the family-friendly “Meet the Critters” event can learn more about how to keep rats mentally alert. 
• They’re engaging: Pet rats enjoy climbing up and down their habitats, but they also enjoy out-of-cage time. Keep rats physically fit by allowing them to run around in an exercise ball to get some energy out.

Caring for rats can be a fun and unique experience! However, parental supervision is recommended for pet parents under 12. For more information on this month’s “Meet the Critters” event visit www.petco.com/kids.

About Petco Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com.  The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

Contact: Monica Vigo 619.501.2756 mvigo@west-pr.com

SOURCE Petco

Article source: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/05/14/4859470/five-reasons-why-a-rat-may-be.html

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats