comment: >
  
  I fucking love rats, all my homies love rats! #fuckyeahweloveourlittlediseaseboys💞
context: People nowadays forgot about Splinter Sensei :”) >
  
  If I was Splinter Sensei trying to hide my identity, and the only help I got was from Michelangelo or  Raphael, my username would be something like “wu ba lu ba” 🪄✨🧐 >
  
  r/Unexpectedbobsburgers >
  
  Nice try, Landa >
  
  lol I came here for this >
  
  So do pigeons tbh >
  
  r/birdsarentreal >
  
  Allow me to share with you a deeply emotional and personal experience that I had with rats, which helped me to understand and appreciate the unfair hate that they receive on a daily basis. It was during my time volunteering at an animal rescue center that I first encountered these often-maligned creatures. I was assigned to a group of rats who had been rescued from a laboratory, where they had been subjected to cruel experiments and mistreatment. When I first saw them, they were timid, scared, and seemed to cower in fear at the mere sight of a human.  However, as I began to spend more time with them, offering them bits of food and talking to them in soft, comforting tones, I started to see a different side of them. They were curious, and soon enough, they began to warm up to me, nuzzling against me and seeking out my affection. I was amazed by their intelligence, their capacity for empathy, and their ability to form strong bonds with their caregivers.
  It was during my time with these rats that I truly came to understand the unfair and unjust hate that they receive from society. People are so quick to judge and dismiss them as vermin, without ever taking the time to understand and appreciate their amazing qualities. I couldn't help but feel a deep sadness knowing that, despite all the love and care that we had given to these rats, they were still destined to be euthanized. The rescue center simply did not have the resources to care for them long term, and no one was willing to adopt them.  The memory of holding each and every one of these rats in my arms, tears streaming down my face, as they were taken away one by one, is one that will haunt me forever. It was a humbling and heartbreaking experience, and it only served to strengthen my belief that rats are undeserving of the hate and bigotry that they receive. So, I implore you, please don't contribute to the hate and negativity that rats receive. Instead, let's work to educate and inform the public about the amazing qualities and capabilities of these creatures. Let's challenge the misconceptions and stigmas that exist about rats, and show the world that they are not pests, but rather, intelligent, loving, and loyal animals who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
  I hope that my story has shed some light on the importance of recognizing and appreciating the inherent worth of all creatures, regardless of their appearance or reputation. Let's come together to create a world where rats and all animals are celebrated and valued for the unique individuals that they are. >
  
  They're horrific little monsters.  They bite, spread disease, urinate and defecate everywhere and can be extremely aggressive. When I lived in 
  South East Asia, the rats would come out at night like an invading army, going through all the garbage making a mess. But the worst part was when they would fall upon kittens in the area which would be ripped apart by so many yellow teeth.   
  I hate rats. >
  
  Wild rats are not the same as fancy rats people keep as pets. >
  
  Domestic rats and regular rats are as different as dogs and wolves. >
  
  I worked at a place near a pier and a bbq spot so rats were commonplace. I started a rumor at my workplace of a rat king beneath the building. A whisper campaign. Just one or two people in different departments here and there. Then the concept started to show up in popular culture like 30 Rock and video games, so people started getting antsy about it and the whole thing spread. 
  Came to a head when enough people complained and the maintenance staff went under the building to find...old kegs and signage and trash from businesses that owned the building before us. 
  A ton of rats, too, don't get me wrong. Just no rat king.
  Rats are actually nice. They're not going to fly at your head or anything like the Monty Python rabbit. >
  
  They destroy wooden construction. >
  
  Yeah their table manners are abhorrent >
  
  I realized when I had pet rats that many people have a visceral negative reaction to their tails which, since hairless, appear “scaly”. It made me realize how essential furriness is to human perceptions of “cute.”. I love their tails personally (which are hairless to allow them to dissipate excess body heat). >
  
  I’ve had pet rats too and I was amazed when I felt their tails. They’re so soft with little downy hairs on them! I liked when my rats would wrap their tails around my wrists or neck. One memory I have is snuggling up with my little rat Daisy to watch “Ratatouille”. I miss my rats! >
  
  I live in a subsection of my city which is nicknamed “Rat City.” Idk how they ended up here. It’s a pretty heavy student population so maybe more trash on the streets? Idk. 
  It’s…unpleasant honestly. >
  
  I think pet rats are okay. Wild rats tho? Absolutely fucking not. The amount of diseases those fuckers carry? Yeah no thanks. Keep the distance. >
  
  I’ve never seen a rat but I’ve seen millions of squirrels. Rats get into the house, chew on things, attack people. I’ve never seen a squirrel attack someone. Rats are pests. Squirrels are just rodents. >
  
  I agree. Many people have rats for pets actually. >
  
  I think my mind started to change when I saw that Rat taking a shower 🐀🚿 >
  
  no, we don't hate Rats because of their body shape, we hate them because they're nasty creatures who carry a ton of diseases, and alsi because of their parasitic behavior, unlike squirrels who rarely visit cities/houses, and will spend their lives in the woods (+ rats look ugly asf.. yes there's some aesthetic criteria) >
  
  I have 11 rats. They are so lovely, they snuggle eachother, clean eachother, and play to no end! They’re so smart, and eager to learn. I had a rat who could, come, jump to where I pointed and could roll over. I’ve had rats that just want to snuggle, and beg to be pet. I could watch them all day, and sometimes wish I was small to join the giant pile of happy sleeping rats. 
  Obviously having wild rats invade and destroy the integrity of your home is not ok, and it’s totally rational to not go “awwww cute” when something is eating and shitting, in, on, and around all your stuff. >
  
  I friggin wish I had 11 rats. I used to have two. Husband said no more rodents because I cry too much when they die 😬 >
  
  The age old curse. My partner and I have actually decided after this to have less rats because how much it hurts to see them go. But that’s also the reason we have 11 rats lol, I had a rat, Paul, for almost 3 years that was so dear to me, I really could not fathom his passing. We came to a conclusion to breed him. It took some time finalizing it all, but we ended up with a healthy litter of 9 and kept them all. He lived out the last of his days with his sons and was the happiest I’d ever seen. Mamas getting elderly now but has no issues keeping clean and happy with her 6 young ones taking care of her. 
  Rats are the best. >
  
  Bless your lovely, kind and caring ❤️ >
  
  I agree! I had a pet rat when I was a kid. His name was Wally, he was a Norwegian rat and he used to ride on my shoulder. He was smart (for a rat) and loved being pet and being held. He only lived to be 3, but I'm happy I had him. >
  
  rats spread disease and invade human spaces. Squirrels don’t. >
  
  Domestic rats dont. And squirrels have invaded the UK and pushed out our native one. >
  
  Fuckin’ grey squirrels. Hate ‘em
  Lock me in a room with a rat I’m chill. I’ll share my cheese string.
  Grey squirrel? Only one of us are coming out alive and I ain’t done living >
  
  Looks like squirrel soup for tonight. >
  
  Someone has just seen inglourious basterds >
  
  Au revoir, Shosanna!!! >
  
  Yes bestie. Rats are fuggin adorable >
  
  I think there’s a study that shows rats did not carry the bubonic plague.. that definitely contributes to the notion that rats are disgusting though >
  
  iirc it was fleas but there could be new info out there these days >
  
  Weil’s disease >
  
  What concerns me is that wild rats spread disease.  Domestic rats are adorable.  They've got little human like hands. >
  
  I fucking hate rats. Was in my grandma's house in Nigeria and couldn't sleep at night coz these bitches were crawling under the bed. Man I wish I could say the hard r right now as a one of type thing. >
  
  Idk. I’m ok with rats AS LONG as they are DOMESTICATED and clean. >
  
  First, squirrels are fancy tree rats, fuck squirrels.  Second, rats get an appropriate amount of hate.  They are destructive, invasive, asshole disease vectors.  Fuck rats. >
  
  Humans are also extremely destructive, invasive and disease carrying. >
  
  Rats carry hantavirus. Their fleas caused the plague. They destroy wooden construction. They’re invasive and multiply. 
  Their reputation is deserved. >
  
  Exactly.  Fuck rats, fuck mice and most of all fuck the people who think these are pets. >
  
  I'm curious why you include pet rodents in this >
  
  Right? Just watch The Tale Of Despereaux and you’ll see some rat discrimination for yourself. I think they’re kinda cute ngl >
  
  I had a pet rat growing up! Her name was sprite! She was a gift and such a joy as a little girl. I learned to care for animals. She would sit on my
  Dads shoulders in the morning while he drank coffee and read the paper. She came when we called her. She was essentially a little dog and incredibly sweet. I miss her everyday. One of the best pets I ever had. Deeply kind animals that deserve less hate! I agree! If we can separate dogs that hurt people from dogs that don’t then we can separate sewer rats from household pet rats! >
  
  THEY BRING NOTHING BUT DISEASE AND FAMINE!!!!!! >
  
  so do humans - duh >
  
  Fuckin love rats but my mum never let me have them because "ewww gross" but couldnt tell the difference between one and a hamster unless i said "look at the rats" >
  
  Rats multiply and wreak destruction on your home. I killed 10 of them in one month in my attic. The rats had eaten another rat caught in one of the traps. It's head and some bones were left. Indeed, They are Satan's pets. >
  
  
  Rats multiply and wreak destruction on your home
  
  Humans cause 1000000000000000 times more detruction than rats could ever dream of. If rats are satan's pets we are waaaaaay worse. >
  
  Just because humans are worse doesn't justify rats being assholes >
  
  They aren't being assholes. They're trying to survive :p
  We are assholes, cause we do a lot more damage, are aware of exactly the damage we cause, and we largely don't care. >
  
  Rats are still assholes >
  
  I don’t think rats care that I hate them >
  
  I hate squirrels too. >
  
  I love rats i own 2 rats :3 >
  
  Let a dozen rats live in your attic for a while, see how much you like you stuff pissed all over and your walls and wires chewed apart. Rats are fucking awful.  So are Squirrels. >
  
  I had rats in one of my old houses. It was truly awful, they are distructive, stinking, disease spreading assholes >
  
  
  they are distructive, stinking, disease spreading assholes
  
  That label applies to humans better than rats.
  Rats are just small rodents trying to survive and unable to cause a fraction of the damage we cause yearly. >
  
  I also wouldn't adopt all the humans from my city. Would you? >
  
  I am interested in becoming a foster parent, yes. We will probably wait a few years until our kids are older, but it’s something we have considered.
  In any case, I doubt you’d let city rats hang out at your place (which is a good thing). Trying to advocate for them is just weird and doesnt change the fact that there are very good reasons to not want to live among street rats >
  
  
  I am interested in becoming a foster parent, yes
  
  You asked ALL the rats. So I'm asking if you'd adopt ALL the children.
  My point is that we as humans look down on other species as destructive pests as if we were something better/different, when we are the worst in that regard. >
  
  Then would you let a handful of street rats into your home? Would you share your kitchen with them?
  Yes humans are destructive. That doesn’t change the fact that rats are invasive species. This supposed hypocrisy doesn’t really change anything. >
  
  
  Yes humans are destructive. That doesn’t change the fact that rats are invasive species. This supposed hypocrisy doesn’t really change anything.
  
  It changes everything, because HUMANS are the ones spreading everywhere, utterly destroying habitats and hoarding resources and having more and more babies and then blaming rats for trying to.... eat? live? have their own babies? >
  
  
  it changes everything
  
  What exactly is everything? Harmful bacteria and parasites are also just trying to eat, live and reproduce (that’s what all living beings do), does that change everything regarding salmonella or ecoli? >
  
  
  What exactly is everything?
  
  I mean that it changes the entire perspective. Realizing we do worse means we can be less judgemental and hypocritical towards other species. They aren't invading OUR space - the Earth isn't ours by any right. >
  
  Just stop all animal hate altogether! <3 >
  
  Except mosquitos. They can go fuck themselves. And bed bugs. >
  
  I think I'm right in this subreddit as it's not a popular opinion that I have but I believe wholeheartedly that no animal is bad or evil, they just do what's in their nature to survive themselves and ensure the survival of their kind. Animals are living beings just like us humans and have a soul just like us (in my belief), so their lives and well-beings should be valued just as much! Mosquitoes and bed bugs and other "unpopular" animals weren't able to choose the job nature gave them basically. I just wish that everyone would show all animals respect and love!! >
  
  I hate rats cause when I was at an orphanage, I watched a rich family come in and choose a goddamn rat over actual human children. >
  
  And how is that the rats fault >
  
  I've always loved rats, I don't see how someone can hate them as a species but I understand how poeple can be worried about diseases and cleanliness with them. My mother always wished death on rats and when I got upset she said "they shouldn't have chosen to live here" but they are just trying to live their life and so many people hate them as a species for doing that around us even though it's the most successful way for a rat to be fed and protected. In a house there is food for them to eat and shelter when it's freezing. I obviously dont want to cook dinner with one on the counter next to me but if I had rats in my house I would not have a "burn it down" mentality. >
  
  Anybody who believes rats are in any way redeemable have never had to live around them. Truly disgusting creatures, arguably even worse than cockroaches  as pests go >
  
  You as a human are 1000000 times more 'destructive, invasive, asshole disease vector' than a rat. >
  
  Why do you hate yourself? Not healthy >
  
  Stating facts =/= hating yourself >
  
  You called yourself destructive invasive asshole disease vector, not sure what else constitutes as hating yourself >
  
  
  You called yourself destructive invasive asshole disease vector
  
  Because humans are all of those things pretty objectivelly
  We are far more destructive and overpopulated considering the resources we consume than rats. And unlike rats we are aware but  choose to ignore it, which is asshole behaviour. >
  
  Right, so what’s your point exactly? >
  
  That us caling rats pests is beyond hypocritical and arrogant, as we are far worse despite having the awareness of it. >
  
  So what does that realization do for you besides make you the edgiest boy in this thread? >
  
  Make me less of a hypocritical judgemental asshole towards another species? >
  
  Rats will eat your sleeping babies. They live off of detritus and spread, am9ngst other things, leptospirosis, listeria, salmonella and toxoplasmosis. >
  
  That’s their “God-given” nature to survive. What about gluttonous humans who don’t need to kill and torture animals to survive? >
  
  They’re both disgusting if they’re not domesticated pets. Nasty looking and creepy too. >
  
  Fuck rats. They carry the plague and eat through everything. They don't get enough hate. >
  
  The plague doesn't exist anymore expect in labs. Also it was the fleas, not the rats. Technically they don't carry it. >
  
  Rats are really cool both as pets and to see them in the wild. 
  To see them in the store or a home is not cool though as they're so fucking destructive. Squirrels like to get in attics though and I've seen that happen way more than rats being in a house. >
  
  Have you ever heard of the plague? The big D that wiped 30-60% of people in Europe >
  
  Well, rats had fleas on them that spread the disease. The people weren't clean. They didn't wash hands and threw their shit onto the streets, in turn attracting more rats with their flea stowaways. They were also superstitious, killing cats because they thought they were witch companions. So there were not enough cats to deal with the rodent problem. The plague doesn't exist like this anymore today. It really wasn't the rats fault, but rather the circumstances. If you'd know actual history, then you'd know why the plague was so devastating. >
  
  I agree but my point was that fear and connection of rats to diseases and such is still here. >
  
  Yeah I totally remember the global plague started by squirrels >
  
  I'd agree except rats will eat anything including oil containers, chemicals, things made out of plastic.
  Anything >
  
  Grats on unpopular opinion >
  
  Some people would even give a squirrel a bowl of milk and would chase away the rat. >
  
  Squirrels are not rats with bushy tails. >
  
  I don't discriminate and shoot them both equally. >
  
  The same what? >
  
  Based opinion >
  
  I lived in a home were you could hear the rats nails scratch through the blocks. And after having one too many encounters with them to the point of not moving from my bed I will never be cool with them.
  I can't even see hamsters in the pet shops because they're the same thing, and I'm warming up to the idea of guinea pigs because my boyfriend wants one in the future, but I've threaten to not even hold his hand anymore if he gets a hamster or a mouse. 
  And now that you've brought up how squirrels are almost the same I have a new fear 🙂 >
  
  I don't hate neither but rats try to get in my grain, steal my eggs and killed my quail but squirrels don't so i just kill the rats >
  
  Personally, discarding a card off of Ravenous Rats is really annoying, but overall it’s a beloved archetype /s >
  
  I love rats. Domestic rats can be very nice to have as pets! As for wild rats it could be a whole other story. Wild rats can contaminate food left on counters and/or have rabies. Domestic rats though are a lot better. You just need to take care of them properly and it should be fine. <3 >
  
  Yeah, the real world really paints them in bad light. It's not fair to hate someone for the mass outbreaks they've caused in the past /:
  (Jk, I agree with you, kind of) >
  
  Squirrels are a pain in the butt! They steal from my bird feeders! Rats make excellent pets. We had them for several years. The very best one was named Rascal. He started out as "Lancelot" but the name definitely did not fit his rascally personality! I used to take him to kiddo pick up after school. Once he'd got over trying to remove clips and earrings, we were best friends! >
  
  Squirrels don't enter your house usually. >
  
  Oh yes they do.  They will find a way through your roof or any other opening they can find.  They are a horror.  Very destructive.  Cost me a fortune on repairs and to get rid of them. >
  
  For folks of my generation, James Herbert had a lot to answer for. ‘The Rats’ was one of the very few books that were considered ‘cool’ and at 13yo that was me! Hated them anyway, had seen a fair few scurrying about locally and the Rats Trilogy just sealed the deal. Even the thought of them gives me the fear…vile creatures! Thankfully I have a cat who is fearless and she’s taken out a good few (although she did once bring a live one in to boast about). >
  
  Or - hear me out… we start the squirrel hate. >
  
  I can see right through you, Mr. Ten Rats in a Trenchcoat!
  But yeah, rats are rad dude >
  
  You actually have a point with this now that I think of it. >
  
  When you’ve had them scratching around under the floorboards, in the loft, between levels and in the walls you’re allowed to fucking hate rats. One of them had the audacity To die under the floor which was weeks and weeks of the most god awful smell and then flymageddon for about a month til we found the damned thing. It’s was a horrific experience >
  
  Yea you won’t be saying that when you find one living in the engine bay of your car. Or getting Hanta Virus, rat lung worm, plague, or a variety of other diseases they carry. >
  
  I see rats as snake food...probably because I usually have a couple dozen in my freezer >
  
  I have no problems with pet rats. They are cute and can be very affectionate. Wild rats in cities can really be a problem, carrying disease, fleas and other things.  And can bite you, your children and your pets.  In some places, like Australia, wild rats have had a really bad effect on the native species. 
  However, don't talk to me about squirrels.  I have a love/hate relationship with them. I have an ongoing war with them trying to keep them off my birdfeeders.  They are winning.  They always win. They are very smart. >
  
  I do have rats in my chicken coop killing my chickens tho >
  
  Definitely unpopular, but as a rat lover, I completely agree that they’re great. They’re such smart, funny, sweet creatures. And they have teeny tiny hands! People definitely associate them with filth and are creeped out by their tails, but as a rat co-parent, I can assure anyone that our girls are quite clean. Honestly the only annoying part about rats is cleaning the cage, and it takes like 20 mins max once a week, maybe 30 mins if you’re deep cleaning and scrubbing the cage which is like once a month. Rats are fantastic, it’s sad that people are so unwilling to give them a chance. >
  
  Have you ever had to deal with rats? Currently I have a rstproblem where I live. No matter what I do they find ways to get into my pa try and ruin my food. They are extremely smart, silent and clever. They never fall for the same trap twice and they will chew through plastic bottles to leak it all over the place. I hate rats >
  
  I’ve had pet rats and they were awesome. >
  
  I find them kind of creepy, but most any animal would eat a dead human - not just rats. What’s really gross is humans torturing, then slaughtering and eating animals when they don’t have to, to survive. >
  
  As someone who owns pet rats, I 10000% agree. Rats are an amazing small pet. They love their people, they’re easily trained, and they’re cute as heck. 
  Way better than hamsters and gerbils. >
  
  Someone's never been on the subway in NYC >
  
  
  They carry diseases
  They bite
  Squirrels are much cuter than rats and that’s a fact
  Rats are ugly 
  
  So yeah, squirrels are looked at as cute little animals because they are in fact cute and they don’t live in the sewer. Rats are looked at as ugly because they are in fact ugly. I don’t make the rules. The one who created the earth did so take it up with him or her. >
  
  I use to have 2 pet rats and they were so sweet. They are also loyal and very smart and sweet. >
  
  I will never stop hating rats 
  To me chipmunks have more of a resemblance to rats or mice then squirrels >
  
  Squirrels don't try to live in my home or build nests in outdoor kitchen spaces. They also don't tear open food packages and shit all over my counters. I had rats as pets when I was a kid. I don't hate them for being rats, I hate them for being in my space. >
  
  Rats can get in your house and steal your food and spread disease. >
  
  Fun fact: where im from when people were sleeping, rats would come in and eat away at people's feet amd toenails so you wake up and see blood on your sheets and it would hurt to walk. >
  
  Rats are intelligent and loyal pets to keep and they’re a huge help in the science lab when researchers want to experiment with different projects to help mankind like looking for a cure to most modern diseases. I can’t name a few but all I know is that the hate stems from the bubonic plague that wiped out half of Europe or other diseases but all I know is that the hate still waivers on. >
  
  In pro wrestling terms a "rat" is a pejorative for a female groupie.  If you are a wrestling fan, and read this headline out of context, it is hilarious. >
  
  Squirrels didn't kill 2/3 of Europe >
  
  I smell a snitch >
  
  Disease >
  
  I think the animal responsible for spreading the Black Death and killing over a third of the population of Europe gets exactly the correct amount of hate. >
  
  I don't like squirls they scare me, so me not liking rats is not that hypocritical. I like mice though, I'd keep mice as pets If I could. >
  
  Thank you for sticking up for me like this, OP. >
  
  “Pointy kitty’s” scare me. >
  
  Rats are cool. Of course I also don’t own a bodega in the Bronx >
  
  I never had squirrels in my house. Or walls. Or attic... >
  
  Rats are cute. Domesticated rats anyways. And hairless rats are sugary sweet. 
  Im with you OP.. >
  
  Well they killed like a third of Europe one time >
  
  Rats bring disease, have some of the least complex digestive systems, and carry a greater rate of harmful, or deadly pathogens, and bacteria.  
  They mass produce, and defecate excessively.  
  They can trigger allergies, and asthma attacks in asthmatic people due to their fur, and excrement.
  Yeah OP, this is an unpopular opinion. Rats are nasty.
  One benefit. The Central African Land-Rat is used for detecting land mines with smell. They're used by different military in various African countries, upon being trained. They have a 95% accuracy rate.   
  Rats are also known to be intelligent rodents. >
  
  It's not the rat really, its the fleas the rat has historically rented out landspace to that are the source of the hate. >
  
  2 movies celebrate rats. Willard and Ben. Michael Jackson sang the title song for Ben! >
  
  Nice try Black Death! Now please get off Reddit >
  
  Rats carried fleas that spread the black plague that killed 25 million people.  F fleas and F the rats they road in on. >
  
  As someone who's read 1984 - I'd like to disagree. >
  
  My daughter had a pair of pet rats. Sweet and intelligent little beasties! We had to have one euthanized, and while waiting at the vet's, I heard a lady ask the receptionist if Lucy was a Guinea pig. When she was told Lucy was a rat, she grimaced and shuddered. I was angry, but I couldn't think of anything to say until much later, as is often the case. If I had it to do over, perhaps, "Yes, that's why she has to be euthanized, because she's gross." or "My  daughter is home crying over this disgusting creature, can you imagine?!" or "This little ratti-kins may be off-putting to some, but she's cuter than your Pug." (I have nothing against Pugs, but I don't think they are super good looking, and I was mad.)
  However, Pug-lovers, bring your worst! I can take it! >
  
  Well I mean they kinda wiped out half of Europe once. >
  
  The squirrels mainly stay outside, the rats don't gaf. >
  
  This guy, acting like the bubonic plague didn't happen >
  
  I've owned so many rats. I love them! >
  
  Rats as pests are nah but they cute as fuck as pets >
  
  I think the hate is driven mostly because of the historical plague they gave to ancient society?
  Also Rats are found in nasty places such as sewage and is a huge sanitary risk than a squirrel. >
  
  Disease would like to say hi