How can I get a dwarf to adopt a tame vermin?

Solution 1:

According to the wiki, while you cannot force a dwarf to adopt an animal, the dwarf must be wandering nearby the animal. In my experience, since caging cats will prevent their adoption, the animal must not be caged. So the most likely step is to let the vermin out of the cage that they are in. I have not applied this specifically to vermin, but I believe that it still holds. I do not remember whether or not loose tame vermin congregate in the dining hall like other stray animals. To be safe you might want to release them from a cage in the dining hall.

You still cannot force adoption of anything other than working animals, but this should make it possible. Be sure you want to do it though, as a pet's death can cause an unhappy thought and vermin die rather quickly (bats for example only live for 2 or 3 years).

So to reiterate the steps to having a pet vermin:

• you must have captured it in an animal trap

• tamed it

• marked it for pet availability

• let it wander loose so dwarves can meet it and decide that it is the most adorable thing ever. ("Who's the cutest little purring maggot ever? you are! yes you!")

This last step is the one I believe that you are missing.

Hopefully this is of some use.