WHAT do TV-am saviour Roland and Remy of Ratatouille film fame have in common?
They are both rats. They are both famous. And they both come complete with a useful accessory... a tail.
And that’s just how Dunstable animal lover Lisa Chapin thinks it should be.
She was dismayed to see a sweet pet rat called Star up for sale, with big ears, shining eyes – but no tail.
Lisa, 37, of Langdale Close, believes Star was specially bred to be tailless, and bought the friendly pet to make sure she has the care she needs if problems arise.
Now Lisa, a resource technician and practical instructor in animal care, is worried that there may be a growing fad for tailless rats like Star.
She says that nature intended rats to have tails, which are used for balance and to help regulate body temperature.
Lisa is currently looking after Star but plans to pass her on to a friend who is highly experienced in rodent care.
She said: “I would prefer her to be with somebody experienced rather than someone who might just have seen a cute rat without a tail and taken her because she is something new. She is so gentle. She has the cutest face I’ve ever seen, with big black eyes. It’s just the way she looks at you, that makes you melt. I want to do the right thing for her.”
Lisa added: “I feel it’s not the best way to be breeding pets. They can’t behave as a normal rat does.”
Rats are intelligent, sociable and curious. She thinks there may be two reasons for the tailless trend.
“A lot of people don’t like the tail of a rat, it’s the bit that puts people off,” she said. “They’ll say rats are great, but they can’t stand the tail. Not having a tail makes the rat more appealing aesthetically so there is a demand there for a tailless rat.”
Lisa also believes that these rats can command a higher retail price.
She is raising her concerns with Central Beds Council’s licensing team and has asked for feedback from an association involving pet retailers.
The Gazette asked the RSPCA for its views on the matter.
Scientific officer Dr Kerry Westwood said: “This has recently been drawn to our attention, and although tailless rats can arise through a mutated gene, we would be very concerned if rats are being bred specifically for this characteristic.
“Breeding rats without their tails could have a considerable impact on their welfare. Rats use their tails not only for balance and in detecting the motion and position of their body, but also to help regulate their body temperature to prevent them from overheating.
“Exaggerated physical features can be seen in many kinds of pets and may lead to unnecessary pain, discomfort, illness and/or behavioural problems. The RSPCA believes that no animal should be bred primarily for how he/she looks, but with health, welfare, quality of life and temperament in mind.
“The RSPCA urges people to do lots of research before buying an animal as a pet, and think very carefully about the likely impact of physical features on an animal’s life before buying any pet with exaggerated physical features.”
> Anyone worried about a breeder or an animal’s welfare should call the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999. Local authority licensing teams deal with concerns about licensed pet retailers.