Russian Rat Shortage

(Moscow, Russia) With President Putin clamping down on the political system in Russia, one would think that there is no way that there would be a shortage of rats.

Moscow pet shops are reporting a run on rats, as keen astrologically-minded Russians snap them up ahead of the New Year, which is the Chinese Year of the Rat, Interfax news agency reported.

Desperate shoppers are even resorting to buying mice, hamsters or gerbils in lieu of a real, domestic rat, according to one shop in the capital.

Chinese astrology is closely followed in Russia, which shares a long border with China, and where many newspapers deliver daily horoscopes - and advice on how to care for new pet rats given as presents on December 31.

Heh.