Idea for sticky "Before you give up your rat(s) read this"

[begoodtoanimals]

If you feel like you need "to get rid of your rats" you have to take an honest look at yourself, especially if you replace them with another pet for any reason other than allergy or finances.

It could very well be an inner restlessness that needs to be filled with something exciting because your life as it is, isn't going so well. That's why,  after the novelty wears off, the other pet will also be discarded to satisfy the void in your life. So instead of getting a new pet, try to solve the underlying issue.

If your boy/girl friend  wants you to "get rid" of them, you better take a good look at the relationship with that person because someone who wants you to give up something you love, is controlling and it will get worse.

If you are tired of cleaning the cage, remember the time how excited you were when you got your rats and how "cleaning the cage" would never be a problem?

If you don't have time, clock the hours you are watching TV, texting, playing PC games. One of those hours could have been spent with your rats who would have loved your company.

If they bite, go back to the forum to get some help. Most problems can be solved or you accept them for who they are and after they pass, you get a rat that is known to be gentle. Some rats have had a hard life and are not able to trust again.

Many children undergo the CL syndrom themselves as their parent(s) replace(s) one partner with another; step parents coming and going so that's how children learn that living beings, animal or human, are easily replaceable.

So now take a look at how you would feel if you were this pet, depended on food, exercise, hygiene, love and entertainment on you. Would you like you as your owner?
If the answer is "NO" then re-homing is not the solution but changing your habits and attitude is.

Take a good look at your rats or any other pet you consider to give up. Is all the love really gone? Remember the good times, pet them, play with them, clean the cage and you will most likely start enjoying them again. I'll bet when you kiss their soft belly, you'll be smitten again 

Hopefully this gives some insight in all of this.

[Ration1802]

RFAdmin hasn't signed on in almost a month. Your best bet is to PM the request to him and maybe he'll care enough to do it. 

Totally agree that this is sticky material though

[begoodtoanimals]

who is the moderator? Couldn't find him/her

[lilspaz68]

who is the moderator? Couldn't find him/her

"RFAdmin" is Ratman the admin.

[ssjordan24]

what is CL syndrome? Sorry, Im new to rats and seeing as how i am a product of divorce and multiple parents I guess I should know, but I dont.....

thanks!

[Stace87]

what is CL syndrome? Sorry, Im new to rats and seeing as how i am a product of divorce and multiple parents I guess I should know, but I dont.....

thanks!

Perhaps something to do with Craigslist?? I know people refer to that as CL. Google came up with "chronic lateness" when I searched...  lol.

[AMJ087]

Hmmmm. I think the general idea is good but I think the current post is a little to harsh. It seems like its calling people lazy and stupid. I know thats not the intention at all so maybe the working can get worked on first and it can get cleaned up a bit.

[zoe9]

Hmmmm. I think the general idea is good but I think the current post is a little to harsh. It seems like its calling people lazy and stupid.

Really?  Huh.  I didn't get that at all (and I even re-read it to make sure.)

For the record I think it's a good post.  It's honest (truth can hurt, some people might not like that I suppose but that's their problem) and it makes people think which is the whole idea.

[Jaguar]

It's a good post, but it's not really sticky material, in my opinion.  If someone wanted to go over it and write out / add more so it is actually informative for those who must give up their rats, then I think we can consider stickying it, but right now I think as well that it's a bit harsh and not as useful as it could be.

[AMJ087]

Thats what I was saying, its harsh and not quite right but a good idea. Just needs some work I think before it can be considerd as a sticky. I came up with an idea for a sticky for general rat procedure prices once but then it came to my attention how different it is from place to place so that part may be hard.

[Ration1802]

I actually disagree and think this topic needs to be addressed and accessable to the members of this forum (and those who browse). It is HUGE issue in the rat community - disposable pets and the mentality that it's 'just a rat' so it's more acceptable to pawn off on someone else when you get bored, or to leave withering in the case for a year and a half because the rat isn't the cute jumpy thing you bought.

I think begoodtoanimals has put it as well as it could be put. There is NO nice way of addressing this all too common problem.

[Jaguar]

I know what you're saying, but it is a personal message and although it gets the point across i think making personal attacks and guild tripping people is not the way to get them to change their mind... The sticky idea is a good one but I think the message just isn't appropriate.  If someone else wants to take a shot at writing something a bit more encouraging and informative instead of aggressive, I'm sure we'd be glad to sticky it, and if no one else wants to I wouldn't mind doing it, just let me know  

[zoe9]

Personal attacks, aggressiveness...?

Are we reading the same post?

I don't mean to be argumentative I'm just genuinely baffled as to how this post can be interpreted that way and I'm pretty sure the author (although she's not been around for a while) would feel the same because I can assure you that would not have been her intention.

To be honest I'm finding the judgments placed on this post harsher than anything in it.

Everyone is of course entitled to their opinion, I'm just curious as to why those viewing this post so negatively think that way because I'm not seeing any aggression in it, no belittling of people, no obvious 'guilt trips', nor am I seeing any personal attacks.  How can there be when it's not addressed to anyone?

That aside I do agree with Ration and am pleased the moderators will be looking at creating a sticky addressing this problem.   Good luck with it.

[Jaguar]

I'm sorry you disagree with me, but I just think that it's not sticky material as it is right now.  If someone wanted to add to it, then I think it would be fine, but it does not explain why "getting rid" of your rats is not a good idea in the first place, and that needs to be explained to anyone thinking about rehoming them before anything else.  It does not offer any advice for those who legitimately need to (or should) rehome or surrender their rats.  It assumes everyone's reasoning is the same (laziness/not caring/boredom) and I know that's not the case for everyone.  I KNOW that the intention isn't to be personal or guilt trip people, but I think there are better ways to approach the situation than this.  I'm willing to work with everyone to come up with something we can all agree on, but I think this particular sticky should be a lot more in depth and informative than as-is.

[AMJ087]

I fully agree with Jaguar and she is feeling the same as I am about this. Great topic idea!!! But needs work to be more friendly. I mean obviously parts may sound harsh but it just needs some work. So one the author takes the time to add more info and word things a little different it could be a great sticky!! Maybe another member could even help? We've been asking for memebrs to help with new stickys so if you like this idea it would be a great time to help out.