I need help...

I totally agree with Fran. I think it's a bit ridiculous that seven was banned until March.

April.

I change my "a bit" to very. Very ridiculous.

The member that Jess referred to told us that god was smiting us among other things, and was gone for like a week. Gotta love playing favorites.

Right.

So, everyone, including the OP seems to understand this is a bad situation. Snake food was suggested, and then rejected as an option.

Since there are other options, perhaps "we" (the forum) should focus on those?

Not sure of the logic here. Rats actually are very much like dogs personality wise. They are pets. They are sometimes also food. I have chickens. We dont eat our pet chickens even though we do eat chicken.

I do not think its out of line to mention it as a possibility however as it is one. But just because they are not dogs does not mean they are somehow less. I think people would be horrified if a non-dog person came on and said, eh, its just a dog.

I do think some of these rats, it would be most humane to put down. I would say the same about a shelter of dogs or cats that was over run. I do think this is similar to a hoarding situation...this is EXACTLY how most hoarding cases start. The person cant say no.

The banning....well, I never get here what is ok and what isnt. Seems to change depending on who is involved and certain people do seem to get away with murder while others are quickly slapped down...but I dont know all the ins and outs of the people here.

Perhaps people should read this again? There is a lot of freedom given here--and it really is something that the members should be respectful of--when you are asked to take a step back --then it's time to take a step back. If you choose to do differently, well, then there are consequences to that.

There is a small animal rescue here is Mass that is empty (they just have a chin from the looks of it) many rescues up here do have a bit more space

you might want to try and let them know. Transport might be arranged for that many animals. As someone else suggested, pictures, age, temperaments etc.. of each would help!
http://rodent.rescueme.org/Massachusetts

If nothing else maybe they would list them on their site

The problem Baxter, is that it depends on who you are and who youre talking to. Which is a lot like favoritism among the mods. Which is not fair at all and somewhat ridiculous.

They were warned and they still kept doing what they were warned about. I personally don't see an issue.


No says they shouldn't eat rats. What was said was people understood why these should because they are pets.

I'm sorry by you come across about as good as he did/does.

Your dog is not a better bet because it isn't a rat. They aren't 'just rats' to the people who own and care for them. I know every once in a while we have a post about people who are upset/hurt when someone says 'it's just a dog'. When it's something you love it's not 'just a....' anything.

I've never bonded with a rat as close as I have with my dog. But I have done so with a hamster. She'll always be a heart animal to me. Yes they are rodents but they are incredibly intelligent animals who can recognize their person and do form close bonds with those people.

Obviously you aren't a small caged pet person that's fine. But coming in with a 'who cares' attitude when someone is really upset/hurting/needing help with their pets what exactly did you hope to accomplish?

which is why things do get discussed with the mods--and decisions made. It may appear one way on the face of the forum--but really--do you all know what has been said in PM's? Do you all know everything that transpires?

I will say, I believe things HAVE gone too far on occasion--and perhaps other interventions should have taken place. I would suggest people take notice, think about how they treat each other--and IF and WHEN a mod steps in, well, then that should be your clue to not push the issue further. Typically--that is the end of the proverbial rope.

I think giving the rats up to a more fully functional and legitimate rescue group would be a great idea - if you can find a rescue who will take rats that sick...if not, even giving some healthier ones to a rescue would be a good idea. I don't know how no one mentioned that idea earlier.

I really liked Eddie's post. I, quite frankly, wish a lot more people on Chaz would be banned for being rude, nasty, or demeaning on a regular basis. I don't tolerate people being douches in my classroom, in my workplace, in my home, at parties, and so on. Comments like the ones SevenSin was making (and many others on Chaz) would not fly in ANY real life conversation, no matter how controversial. I don't feel like being behind a computer screen, or a stranger on the internet, is any type of excuse for being rude, demeaning or ridiculing others, etc.

You can say it's "uneven" or "playing favorites" or unfair others don't get banned for similar behavior, which may very, very well be true. But two wrongs don't make a right, and just because other people should have been banned and weren't shouldn't give SevenSin a pass to be a jerk.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ratlist/

Op you really may want to take a look there. They may not be able to donate but they may be able to help place the rats. They try to help everywhere even posting craigslist free rats posts.

Personally for me, its not about the fact that theyre rats. Its the fact that 40 of any kind of pet except maybe fish is close to hoarding. Its one thing if there is money and time to care for all of them. Its another when theyre on a forum begging for money to get vet care for 40 sick animals. That is dangerously close to hoarding.

And if it had been dogs or cats, it would be called hoarding. Thats how it is.

Except that if everybody is allowed to get away with it, how does that one person that isn't exempt supposed to know the rules?

This.

Hell, I took a ton of flack for getting Ella. That brought my ferret count up to THREE. Total pets in my house? 4. I wasn't on chaz begging for money for them.

Well, except it kind of does... because if behavior is tolerated and people are given a pass until suddenly one day they aren't anymore... then what exactly are the expectations tomorrow? The next day?

I've been on forums that were heavily, heavily moderated and forums that were totally unmoderated. To be honest, IME the more moderated the forum, the more passive-aggressive sniping takes place. People learn to walk a line and it ends up being far more un-fun than a few rude loudmouths.

Rats are just as loving and capable of bonding with people as dogs. Just because they are smaller/brushed off as "pests" and "snake food" doesn't change that. I too would have the same reaction if someone suggested I feed my rats to a snake. I have a better relationship with them than I do my dog, cats, or horses.

To the OP, I second checking out rescues and posting on Goosemoose. I know there are always transports and such going on in the latter.

Still doesn't mean people just be saying 'they're just rats feed them to another animal'.

40 is WAAAAAY too many. But we don't talk about taking puppies from hoarding situations and donating them to zoos for food for their animals. I don't care if you don't like them. These rats are PETS and I think it's disgusting that people kept pushing that idea when the OP made it obvious that is NOT an option in their opinion.

But there is a difference between feeding a dog and a rat. A rat is a prey animal. A dog is not.

Not that I think one is less than the other, I know rat people get very bonded to their rats.

Also, not saying I agree with feeding the rats to a snake.

But they ARE snake food. Just like they ARE pets. It just depends on the side of the fence youre on. Ive had pet rats and Ive fed pet rats. Snakes need to eat to. Some snakes eat rabbits and guinea pigs too. Hell some eat chickens. Its the circle of life.