Kozhikode: Rats are generally considered a menace by people all around the world. Abhorred by all, the rodents have found a friend in Feroz Khan a native of Vellilavayal, Kundayithod in Kerala. 'Burning the house in fear of rats' is a famous proverbial saying in Kerala, but Feroz did not burn his house to get rid of the rats, instead made a room for them. His house is full of rats and they are also the main source of his revenue.
More than 1000 rats of different colours - white, black, brown, grey and amber- are kept in cages and specially designed pots that are set up at the terrace of his house. The facility also has specially designed toys for the rats and the floor of the rat cages and pots are filled with sawdust.
Feroz takes care of his prized possessions really well and provides cereals, fruits and vegetables to feed them. He has also put the rats up for adoption. He also provides a half-an-hour training session for those who buy rats from him as pets.
Feroz's love for rats started when he got some of them that his friends brought from abroad. He understood their commercial value and turned to ornamental rat farming.