Pet of the Week: Minnie

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WHEC) — It’s time now for our Pet of the Week. Minnie is a 6-month-old rat looking for a fresh start.

She is one of more than 1,000 rats and mice looking for a loving home. Lollypop Farm is holding a rat and mice adoption drive this weekend.

The animal shelter is holding an event on Sunday, called "It’s a Small World after all", to learn how to become a caretaker for these small creatures. The event features a meet-and-greet with rat enthusiasts to answer questions about the often misunderstood animals. One of the enthusiasts is 10 -year-old Jenna Repich.

“When I hear people say ‘ewwww, I hate rats,’ I don’t get upset, but I feel bad for them because they’ll never know the true love that rats can give us,” said Jenna.

Vicky Pape, Director of Animal Placement at Lollypop Farm, said rats and mice could make good companions because they don’t need a lot of room and they could help children to learn.

“These mice and rats can bring lots of joy to families of all kinds,” Pape said. “Small mammals like rats and mice make a great first pet and provide valuable social experiences for children while being relatively easy to care for.”

The event at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road in Fairport, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The event will feature crafts for kids. Adoption fees are $5 for a mouse and $10 for a rat. The first 100 mice adopters will receive a free kit to get them started including a 10-gallon tank, water bottle, food bowl, litter, and food for the first few days.

For more information, you can visit Lollypop Farm’s website or call (585) 223-1330.