Plight of Pet Rats in South Africa
Target:
Marthinus Van Scalkwyk, Mr, South African Department of Tourism & Environment
Sponsored by:
Pet shops in South Africa openly and unashamedly sell domestic rats as live food even though it is illegal to do so by Law.
Because rats are not seen as pets by Pet Shops but as fodder they are bred and confined under the most horrific conditions. Rats represent small profit to pet shops but what rats do, is help to sell the expensive snakes. If they did not %u2018stock%u2019 rats they could not sell snakes. Going to a pet shop and buying a couple of rats is like buying a bag of dog pellets.
Paula Spagnoletti from the South African Rat Fan Club says:
"You will often go into a pet shop and see tank after tank of %u2018snake food%u2019 - these rats are kept in filthy conditions. Some do not even have food and water available to them. I once ordered a pet shop to place food and water in the tank, and he asked me what the point would be because if they died of starvation/dehydration it would not matter because the snake would still eat them dead.
"In South Africa you can not even go to a pet shop and buy rat cages and accessories - pet shops do not even stock food for pet rats%u2026.rats are fodder not pets.
"Baby rats are kept behind counters and in storage rooms. Pet shops keep small plastic tanks filled with hundreds of still blind, little pinkies and fuzzies, some have already died of starvation/disease".
The Law in South Africa
In terms of the Animal Protection Act, Domesticated rats are offered the same protection as any other domesticated animal. An animal rights lawyer, Leigh de Sousa, tells us exactly how in terms of the law, the act protects domestic rats and this is what she had to say.
%u201CThe Animal Protection Act was clearly promulgated and enacted with the specific purpose of protecting animals. Section 1 is important in determining what is an animal for the purposes of the application of the act. It specifically states%u2026%u2026or other domestic animal or bird, or any wild animal or reptile which is in captivity or under the control of any person.%u201D
Leigh de Souza (LAAW)
When there are cases brought against pet shops or members of the public for acts of gross animal cruelty the public prosecutor has previously refused to prosecute as they %u2018are just vermin%u2019 although in terms of the Animal Protection Act, domesticated rats %u2018qualify%u2019 for protection.
Please help the rats in South Africa and sign this petition
Because rats are not seen as pets by Pet Shops but as fodder they are bred and confined under the most horrific conditions. Rats represent small profit to pet shops but what rats do, is help to sell the expensive snakes. If they did not %u2018stock%u2019 rats they could not sell snakes. Going to a pet shop and buying a couple of rats is like buying a bag of dog pellets.
Paula Spagnoletti from the South African Rat Fan Club says:
"You will often go into a pet shop and see tank after tank of %u2018snake food%u2019 - these rats are kept in filthy conditions. Some do not even have food and water available to them. I once ordered a pet shop to place food and water in the tank, and he asked me what the point would be because if they died of starvation/dehydration it would not matter because the snake would still eat them dead.
"In South Africa you can not even go to a pet shop and buy rat cages and accessories - pet shops do not even stock food for pet rats%u2026.rats are fodder not pets.
"Baby rats are kept behind counters and in storage rooms. Pet shops keep small plastic tanks filled with hundreds of still blind, little pinkies and fuzzies, some have already died of starvation/disease".
The Law in South Africa
In terms of the Animal Protection Act, Domesticated rats are offered the same protection as any other domesticated animal. An animal rights lawyer, Leigh de Sousa, tells us exactly how in terms of the law, the act protects domestic rats and this is what she had to say.
%u201CThe Animal Protection Act was clearly promulgated and enacted with the specific purpose of protecting animals. Section 1 is important in determining what is an animal for the purposes of the application of the act. It specifically states%u2026%u2026or other domestic animal or bird, or any wild animal or reptile which is in captivity or under the control of any person.%u201D
Leigh de Souza (LAAW)
When there are cases brought against pet shops or members of the public for acts of gross animal cruelty the public prosecutor has previously refused to prosecute as they %u2018are just vermin%u2019 although in terms of the Animal Protection Act, domesticated rats %u2018qualify%u2019 for protection.
Please help the rats in South Africa and sign this petition
Pet shops in South Africa openly and unashamedly sell domestic rats as live food even though it is illegal to do so by Law.
Because rats are not seen as pets by Pet Shops but as fodder they are bred and confined under the most horrific conditions. Rats represent small profit to pet shops but what rats do, is help to sell the expensive snakes. If they did not %u2018stock%u2019 rats they could not sell snakes. Going to a pet shop and buying a couple of rats is like buying a bag of dog pellets.
Paula Spagnoletti from the South African Rat Fan Club says:
"You will often go into a pet shop and see tank after tank of %u2018snake food%u2019 - these rats are kept in filthy conditions. Some do not even have food and water available to them. I once ordered a pet shop to place food and water in the tank, and he asked me what the point would be because if they died of starvation/dehydration it would not matter because the snake would still eat them dead.
"In South Africa you can not even go to a pet shop and buy rat cages and accessories - pet shops do not even stock food for pet rats%u2026.rats are fodder not pets.
"Baby rats are kept behind counters and in storage rooms. Pet shops keep small plastic tanks filled with hundreds of still blind, little pinkies and fuzzies, some have already died of starvation/disease".
The Law in South Africa
In terms of the Animal Protection Act, Domesticated rats are offered the same protection as any other domesticated animal. An animal rights lawyer, Leigh de Sousa, tells us exactly how in terms of the law, the act protects domestic rats and this is what she had to say.
%u201CThe Animal Protection Act was clearly promulgated and enacted with the specific purpose of protecting animals. Section 1 is important in determining what is an animal for the purposes of the application of the act. It specifically states%u2026%u2026or other domestic animal or bird, or any wild animal or reptile which is in captivity or under the control of any person.%u201D
Leigh de Souza (LAAW)
When there are cases brought against pet shops or members of the public for acts of gross animal cruelty the public prosecutor has previously refused to prosecute as they %u2018are just vermin%u2019 although in terms of the Animal Protection Act, domesticated rats %u2018qualify%u2019 for protection.
Please help the rats in South Africa and sign this petition
Because rats are not seen as pets by Pet Shops but as fodder they are bred and confined under the most horrific conditions. Rats represent small profit to pet shops but what rats do, is help to sell the expensive snakes. If they did not %u2018stock%u2019 rats they could not sell snakes. Going to a pet shop and buying a couple of rats is like buying a bag of dog pellets.
Paula Spagnoletti from the South African Rat Fan Club says:
"You will often go into a pet shop and see tank after tank of %u2018snake food%u2019 - these rats are kept in filthy conditions. Some do not even have food and water available to them. I once ordered a pet shop to place food and water in the tank, and he asked me what the point would be because if they died of starvation/dehydration it would not matter because the snake would still eat them dead.
"In South Africa you can not even go to a pet shop and buy rat cages and accessories - pet shops do not even stock food for pet rats%u2026.rats are fodder not pets.
"Baby rats are kept behind counters and in storage rooms. Pet shops keep small plastic tanks filled with hundreds of still blind, little pinkies and fuzzies, some have already died of starvation/disease".
The Law in South Africa
In terms of the Animal Protection Act, Domesticated rats are offered the same protection as any other domesticated animal. An animal rights lawyer, Leigh de Sousa, tells us exactly how in terms of the law, the act protects domestic rats and this is what she had to say.
%u201CThe Animal Protection Act was clearly promulgated and enacted with the specific purpose of protecting animals. Section 1 is important in determining what is an animal for the purposes of the application of the act. It specifically states%u2026%u2026or other domestic animal or bird, or any wild animal or reptile which is in captivity or under the control of any person.%u201D
Leigh de Souza (LAAW)
When there are cases brought against pet shops or members of the public for acts of gross animal cruelty the public prosecutor has previously refused to prosecute as they %u2018are just vermin%u2019 although in terms of the Animal Protection Act, domesticated rats %u2018qualify%u2019 for protection.
Please help the rats in South Africa and sign this petition
As a pet lover, I urge you to treat Pet Rats with the same respect and protection under your Animal Protection Act. Pet Rats, sold live in Pet Shops are Pets NOT Food and should be treated with some dignity and should be provided for under the Animal Protection Act.
Pet Rats are wonderful creatures that can provide their owners with much happiness and joy as well as provide simulation for children and are a great pet.
Pet shops should be questioned and prevented from selling any pet that it does not offer any accommodation, toys or nutritional products for. If you do not provide Pet Rat cages , why sell Rats?
It is sad and illegal under your own laws to kill Pet Rats on premises for the purpose of feeding other animals. More powers should be given to the Courts and the NSPCA to uphold and maintain a minimum standard of care of Pets kept in stores and we urge you to stop considering Pet Rats as Vermin and give them the same status you do Cats, Dogs and other pets sold via the Pet Trade.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Pet Rats are wonderful creatures that can provide their owners with much happiness and joy as well as provide simulation for children and are a great pet.
Pet shops should be questioned and prevented from selling any pet that it does not offer any accommodation, toys or nutritional products for. If you do not provide Pet Rat cages , why sell Rats?
It is sad and illegal under your own laws to kill Pet Rats on premises for the purpose of feeding other animals. More powers should be given to the Courts and the NSPCA to uphold and maintain a minimum standard of care of Pets kept in stores and we urge you to stop considering Pet Rats as Vermin and give them the same status you do Cats, Dogs and other pets sold via the Pet Trade.
Thank you for considering my comments.
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We signed the "Plight of Pet Rats in South Africa" petition!
# 2,279:
4:10 am PDT, Sep 5,
Anthony Trikosko, Texas
# 2,278:
6:35 pm PDT, Aug 29,
Holly Hindle, Canada
its disgusting what they do to these loving, affectionate, tame animals. Would they do the same if they new rats have the intelligence of a human toddler?
its disgusting what they do to these loving, affectionate, tame animals. Would they do the same if they new rats have the intelligence of a human toddler?
# 2,277:
12:39 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Ola Johanzdćothir, Sweden
Please help the rats,all rats! I love rats very much,and they need help from us rat lovers all around the world. RATS ARE NOT SNAKEFOOD!!!!!!!!
Please help the rats,all rats! I love rats very much,and they need help from us rat lovers all around the world. RATS ARE NOT SNAKEFOOD!!!!!!!!
# 2,276:
7:50 am PDT, Aug 18,
Srishti Kapoor, India
# 2,275:
2:35 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Rebecca Swiderski, Connecticut
All Animals deserve respect, whether they are sold as food, pets, or are wild. Wall they are not only amazing animals, they make for a healthier food source when treated with care. Please take the time to learn how to care for them. Without compassion for all life, are civilized society is no better then the days of Medieval torture.
All Animals deserve respect, whether they are sold as food, pets, or are wild. Wall they are not only amazing animals, they make for a healthier food source when treated with care. Please take the time to learn how to care for them. Without compassion for all life, are civilized society is no better then the days of Medieval torture.
# 2,274:
7:31 am PDT, Aug 15,
Alison Sperry, United Kingdom
# 2,273:
12:15 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Jason Wong, California
# 2,272:
5:37 am PDT, Aug 11,
Eureka Morrison, South Africa
# 2,271:
6:06 pm PDT, Aug 10,
Hema Bedasie, Trinidad And Tobago
Mahatma Gandhi said that the moral progress of a nation and its greatness should be judged by the way it treats its animals.
Mahatma Gandhi said that the moral progress of a nation and its greatness should be judged by the way it treats its animals.
# 2,270:
7:55 pm PDT, Aug 9,
Sarah Panullo, Pennsylvania
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 2,269:
2:27 am PDT, Jul 29,
Germari Steenkamp, South Africa
# 2,268:
9:37 pm PDT, Jul 25,
Name not displayed, Canada
Respect all creatures please. Rats deserve to have water and food and a clean environment.
Respect all creatures please. Rats deserve to have water and food and a clean environment.
# 2,267:
1:56 pm PDT, Jul 14,
MaryBeth Davis, Missouri
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 2,266:
2:05 pm PDT, Jul 13,
Cherie Payne, California
Please respect animal life. Rats are intelligent and very social animals that deserve better treatment. Please be kind to them. Please do the right thing.
Please respect animal life. Rats are intelligent and very social animals that deserve better treatment. Please be kind to them. Please do the right thing.
# 2,265:
4:45 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Audrey Rosengreen, California
An outrage that such wonderful animals are cast aside by sheer ignorance. This abuse and cruelty should not be allowed anywhere.
An outrage that such wonderful animals are cast aside by sheer ignorance. This abuse and cruelty should not be allowed anywhere.
# 2,264:
5:08 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Name not displayed, New York
# 2,263:
3:14 pm PDT, Jun 29,
Greta Malkotzoglou, Greece
# 2,262:
10:02 am PDT, Jun 27,
Edward Sweet, Maryland
# 2,261:
11:00 am PDT, Jun 23,
Steven Anderson, South Africa
its time to make a change!!!
its time to make a change!!!
# 2,260:
10:32 am PDT, Jun 21,
Erin Elise, Oklahoma
# 2,259:
11:22 pm PDT, Jun 18,
Jacqueline Geisheimer, New Hampshire
The public prosecutor needs a refresher course in law and realize that his perception of domesticated rats as "just vermin" does not change the fact that the Animal Protection Act defines them as ANIMALS, thus giving them protection. He needs to put his bias aside for the law and protect those that have no voice and cannot protect themselves. This prosecutor is unfit to BE a prosecutor, especially a public one where such acts exist and NEED to be enforced. It does not matter how small an animal is, it still needs to be protected. In the end, every creature can be consumed by another, even humans. We must remember that all creatures feel and suffer, just like us and we should protect them to prevent needless suffering.
The public prosecutor needs a refresher course in law and realize that his perception of domesticated rats as "just vermin" does not change the fact that the Animal Protection Act defines them as ANIMALS, thus giving them protection. He needs to put his bias aside for the law and protect those that have no voice and cannot protect themselves. This prosecutor is unfit to BE a prosecutor, especially a public one where such acts exist and NEED to be enforced. It does not matter how small an animal is, it still needs to be protected. In the end, every creature can be consumed by another, even humans. We must remember that all creatures feel and suffer, just like us and we should protect them to prevent needless suffering.
# 2,258:
7:11 am PDT, Jun 17,
MAGGIE SCHWAGELE, South Africa
ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT EXOTIC PETS,THE PET SHOP AT BRIGHTWATER COMMONS, I ASKED THE GUY BEHIND THE COUNTER IN THE PET SHOP TO PLEASE PROVIDE WATER IN THE BOWLS FOR THE RATS. HIS ANSWER WAS THAT THEY JUMP AROUND AND KNOCK THE BOWLS OVER. NONE OF THE BOWLS WERE KNOCKED OVER AT THAT STAGE AND NONE OF THEM HAD ANY SIGN OF HAVING BEEN WET AT AL THAT DAY!! MY SON AND I WERE THERE AGAIN YESTERDAY AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE CAGES LOOKED BETTER- THERE WAS FOOD AND WATER. SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THEM THOUGH.
ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT EXOTIC PETS,THE PET SHOP AT BRIGHTWATER COMMONS, I ASKED THE GUY BEHIND THE COUNTER IN THE PET SHOP TO PLEASE PROVIDE WATER IN THE BOWLS FOR THE RATS. HIS ANSWER WAS THAT THEY JUMP AROUND AND KNOCK THE BOWLS OVER. NONE OF THE BOWLS WERE KNOCKED OVER AT THAT STAGE AND NONE OF THEM HAD ANY SIGN OF HAVING BEEN WET AT AL THAT DAY!! MY SON AND I WERE THERE AGAIN YESTERDAY AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THE CAGES LOOKED BETTER- THERE WAS FOOD AND WATER. SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THEM THOUGH.
# 2,257:
6:53 am PDT, Jun 17,
Storm Collins, South Africa
# 2,256:
6:22 pm PDT, May 25,
Erica K, Maryland
Rats deserve the fair treatment that any other animal gets.
Rats deserve the fair treatment that any other animal gets.
# 2,255:
3:05 pm PDT, May 20,
Samantha Wilson, Florida
Rats Have Just Enough, Or More, Feellings than Humans.
Rats Have Just Enough, Or More, Feellings than Humans.
# 2,254:
4:13 am PDT, May 20,
Nicola Cordingley, United Kingdom
# 2,253:
1:41 am PDT, May 20,
Terri Fitch, South Africa
# 2,252:
1:28 am PDT, May 6,
Louise Pienaar, South Africa
Rats are the most loyal, loving small pets and every bit as smart as dogs. They should be treated as such.
Rats are the most loyal, loving small pets and every bit as smart as dogs. They should be treated as such.
# 2,251:
12:24 pm PDT, Apr 29,
Kerry O'Leary, United Kingdom
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For more impact, add a personal comment here
