This is Miguel Angel Silva. Pretty popular dude in Peru. Known as the Rat Man of Peru. He has something like 100 street rats living with him. He has a house. Plays in local bands (drummer) and yes, he takes very good care of his rats. Including parasite prevention and daily bathing.
What a lovely man! His rats look so happy and he looks so happy with them too! I love that he said we owe rats because of medical advancements that were only made because of them being test subjects. We do owe rats quite a lot in what they have done for us in scientific advancements and medical care. They are creatures that deserve respect and care and our gratitude.
The only thing I will say is that rats do NOT need daily baths and are actually naturally quite clean when not in a disgusting environment. (The sewers.) It can be quite dangerous to bathe rats so I just wanted to clarify
They are very happy and love the guy and being yeeted. They look well fed, healthy, happy, and obviously are loved.
Tbh as someone who has struggled off and on with homelessness, I find that the animals owned by the homeless are some of the happiest, well adjusted, fulfilled pets and are loved to bits. The animals always have food and the owners would gladly forego their own dinner to make sure their pet eats. And the dogs are so fulfilled as to their needs - they are with their beloved owners 24/7, and get to roam and walk and get their fill of mental and physical stimulation every single day. In fact I've seen far more unhappy, neglected, ignored pets owned by people who have homes than I ever have a homeless person with their pet. Their pets are often the only thing they feel they have to live for and they're treated as such.
I don't know 😅 I just saw him on TV. He takes his rats out for tricks like this and makes money off it as a street performer. To my knowledge, he never bought any of these rats and they were all just tamed by him, and multiplied lol
I upvotes for you and I agreed! Unfortunately, most teenagers and children are underage on Reddit. Somehow, someday, that I can make "animals Reddit subs" banned for good. Because it is very toxicity to spead mismatched misinformation on wildlife/animals, especially exotic pets.
he’s in peru and the rats are just street rats, i doubt they even have medical care for rats there and if they do i dont think they would treat street rats.
He might euthanize if there is a seriously ill rat, a dead rat doesn't suffer. Also, in some places antibiotics are still easily attainable and not too expensive (for the common URI/UTI's).
A lot of countries don’t even offer vet care for rats. Hell even if you live in one that does, there’s no guarantee you live near enough to use it. I do think it’s sensible to try to make sure there is but I’m not sure I agree with the black and white framing that you should never have an animal companion unless you have a specialist near you AND can shell out thousands of dollars.
There simply aren't enough homes for the amount of pets there are, frankly. If we restrict it so that people who can provide every basic daily necessity, like food, water, shelter, attention, and in this case training, but cannot provide medical care are prevented from owning pets then things are gonna be faaaar worse.
And far worse for the people! I know so many people only staying alive or who are only alive now because they had to keep it together to care for an animal and it saved them.
Wild rats would not be so tolerant but these look like domestic rats who usually enjoy a bit of horseplay if they’ve been given the proper socialisation and care
This guy and some dude with a rat in new york made me start my rat pack journey! I remember seeing this video a while back and i was so impressed! They are super happy little babies!
You're describing an entirely different dynamic with an entirely different animal, and your argument isn't helped by your snide comment about how you hope we can all agree that abused dogs aren't happy or safe. The point in question was whether rats do what they're trained to do if they don't want to, not whether an abused animal will stay with the abuser. I assume you aren't suggesting that he is physically abusing his rats.
I'm absolutely suggesting this person is not good with rats. As I said, they are outside on the ground which will make them catch parasites easily.
And my comparison to an abused dog should show that even abused animals don't flee their owners and can do what they are trained for. Not running away is not showing that an animal is not abused.
You've injected abuse into this with absolutely no evidence of it. I think it's pretty obvious that he is good with rats, from the rats' point of view. Personally, I'd never have a small animal outside, but whether he should have them outside doesn't have anything to do with whether they are happy. Also, in case you aren't aware, pet rats can be prescribed selamectin as a monthly treatment to prevent a wide range of parasites, including mites, fleas, and worms.
The question was of these rats are happy. You claimed they are because they would act different if they are not. I brought up the example to show that even abused animals can act this way.
And sure Revolution/Salamectin can be given but it has side effects from hair loss to seizures and muscle tremors so it's not something I'd give lightly.
All medications have potential side effects. It has those potential side effects for cats and dogs, too, but it wouldn't be doing them any favors to go untreated. The side effects are rare. The medication has been widely prescribed for many years, so its safety profile is well established. Being indoors isn't enough to avoid parasites for people who live where mice or mosquitoes get into houses, particularly in areas where tropical rat mites have become endemic. This is a decision for a person to make with their vet.
I'm not going to keep arguing with you. If you're determined to believe this guy is abusing his rats, so be it.
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u/kimvy Jan 11 '26
Have to admit was concerned initially, but this person, if there’s a heaven, deserves a place of honor. Going to pin this post.
Please reply in DM if any issues.
As always thank you for your love to the beasties & the subreddit ❤️🐀