To think pet rats don't belong in coffee shops?

[Rowena191]

I was a bit gobsmacked today in the queue in a coffee shop. The young woman in front of me was wearing a baby sling and out crawled a pet rat, which ran up and down her arm and had a good sniff about. It didn't poo, wee, bite anyone or run on the counter tops. But all the same I felt creeped out. Rats are not what I am expecting in an establishment serving food. I didn't say anything as frankly I was too shocked.

Was I being unreasonable and pet rats are fine? (I do think pet rats are fine if kept in your own home.) Should I have said something to her? Should I have complained to the manager? Plenty of people bring in dogs after all.

better than the children in the coffee shop this afternoon - the mothers were encouraging them to run laps around the room screaming at the top of their voices.

Love ratties!!

I’d rather a nice clean pet rat in a sling than a dog with its dirty paws and shedding coat and gross breath.

Yes rat is pretty horrid in a cafe, dogs too though.

Pas de probleme..

If you don't think pets rats should be allowed then maybe dogs shouldn't be either...

Fuck no. I’d be out of there in a nanosecond. That’s disgusting.

Is that because rats are rare in France?

I have a soft spot for rats. We had pet rats in our classroom at school and they were lovely, clever and affectionate and never bit any child and the dinner ladies were scare of them which was funny. It wouldn’t bother me but I also agree I prefer not to share my eating areas with other people’s fur babies which is becoming the norm now.

I don't want any bloody pets in cafés.

Another vote for no pets in cafes 🙏

Nope, I'd have left immediately and let the staff know why I was leaving. Rats freak me out. There's just no reason at all why someone would need to take their pet rat out to a coffee shop. If they were taking it to the vet then it should have been in a box/carrier and the route would be home -> vet -> home, a coffee shop is an unnecessary stop.

Pickling them in vinegar is better than brining.

Agree, and now people who hate rats but don’t mind dogs can know what I think about dogs in public places, in fact they are noisier, smellier and bigger than rats.

I think pet rats are sweet but even so, it's not really what you want on your mind right before you eat is it?

Please tell me more about having a pet hedgehog? Is this A Thing, can you train them to do tricks? Was it an orphan you found or do you buy them? I have never heard of a pet hedgehog before x

I have 7 rats. I'm genuinely obsessed with them but would be too nervous to take them in public due to predators or just them getting spooked and running for it.

Rats are amazing little critters though. Give them a chance.

Bit weird. But it didn't crawl out of the sewer. Reminds me of Daphne in Frasier and her rant about domesticated rats.

But tbh I find people who wander about with pet rats/hamsters whatever, or ferrets on leashes, or cats in backpacks... a bit too try hard. Looking for people to come and comment on how quirky they are.

Nope that's fucking disgusting. No way would I eat or drink in an establishment that allowed that.

Ooh, I love rats. I have had them in the past.
I also used to take mine to the pub (sat outside). They would hide in my pocket. But they did not make themselves known really.

But yes, I don't think they should be allowed unless it is explicitly stated that they are... just like dogs. But then you could end up with a whole list of allowed/banned animals otherwise. There is a chap in my town who takes his Amazon parrot out to cafes. I can't recall ever seeing a sign about parrots not being allowed.

Rats are a tricky one as they are also classed as vermin, so one in a cafe will see the place closed.

I knew a young adult who had one - possibly two. Rats are apparently incontinent and they would poo and piss in her bra.

I asked her not to bring them to our appointments and she was very disappointed.

Oui!

I keep a heavy weight on my toilet seat just in case one comes up the toilet

That must make it difficult to use the lavatory for its intended purpose.

I would have loved to see that, it sounds adorable . That said I can understand some people don't like rodents and what if the rat has defecated? I have been into coffee shops with my pet guinea pigs if I have needed to stop somewhere for a comfort break on the way to and from the vets, but the piggy is contained in its carrier full of hay and some cucumber. I wouldn't want the guinea pig to risk getting out and causing mayhem.

I love rats but I don’t think any animal should be in a cafe (unless it’s a specific pet cafe).

It really annoys me when people take their pets everywhere.
It’s usually really stressful for the animal.

They aren’t teddies.
They don’t want to be carried around in a sling, they want to forage and run around like they would in the wild.

That's absolutely gross, it would make me retch. Dogs at least stay on the floor. Rats are vermin.

If dogs are allowed then rats should be too.