Rats the new fashion rage in Paris

PARIS, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A pet support group said Thursday Parisians see rats as fashionable following the release of the animated film "Ratatouille."

The Daily Telegraph reported the pending release of the film has prompted a 40 percent increase in ownership of rats as domestic pets.

"Since the film came out we have seen this vast increase in pet numbers, with the animal becoming truly fashionable," Gerald Moreau, who runs The Association for the Promotion of the Rat as Pet, told the Telegraph.

Moreau, who said he has 19 pet rats, said traffic to his Web site has tripled since the film's release in France.

"Every child is pestering their parents to get one, which is wonderful," Moreau said.