In The Event That...

You Want Your Own Rat Pack

by Andrew Thompson

Fab Rat and Animal Friends Festival, Sat., June 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free, Columbus Square Recreation Center, 1200 Wharton St., ratchickratrescue.com

Maybe it's the stringy tails or the bubonic plague, but somehow, rats have been pushed out of the "adorable furry critter" category and into "call the exterminator." Maria Pandolfi, however, wants people to know that rats are good for more than carrying infectious diseases and testing the toxicity of dioxin: They actually make great pets.

Organized by Pandolfi, who also heads up Rat Chick Rat Rescue, the Fab Rat and Animal Friends Festival will showcase the obscure lovability of rats. Enthusiasts will dress as rats, the Philly Roller Girls will show their support and the loveliest rodents will strut their stuff in a rat beauty pageant. (Although Pandolfi says the runway show is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, because "who is anyone to judge how beautiful someone is?")

Rat Chick shelters unwanted rats (usually the illegitimate children of pet store lovers) while finding them permanent homes, and raises awareness about animals Pandolfi thinks are unfairly vilified. "Rats are extremely social," she says. "If a rat is sick, other rats will bring him food."

Now in its sixth year, this is the first festival that other animal advocacy groups have been invited to. Among the attendees will be Turtle Rescue, Parrot Rescue and Guinea Pig Rescue.