I think that some people do not respect the fact that rats and other small animals are living creatures. They see them more as something they can just get rid of if they don't want them, like a piece of clothing or some other thing. I have taken in more than my fair share of many kinds of animals, including guienea pigs and rabbits, that people get and then decide that they are too messy or too noisy or some other reason that a little bit of attention and training would cure. It is very sad because when you get an animal, it should be with you the rest of it's life and not thrown from person to person. :mad