Why we love dogs and cats but not bats or rats

This over couple years old Washington Post article answers "Why we love dogs and cats but not bats or rats -- Why do we adore hamsters but abhor rats? Cuddle kittens but curse raccoons? Pay to keep birds inside and bats outside? A big reason, say researchers, has to do with our grandparents, our friends, Hollywood and the Queen of England. In other words, our culture..."