Let’s help the invisible residents of our cities

The standard approach to rat control involves the use of rodenticides, causing rats to suffer agonising muscular and joint pain before death. These substances not only inflict harm on rats, but also pose significant threats to a diverse range of wildlife. We must act now to prioritise urban rat welfare and promote a more peaceful co-existence amongst all city dwellers. Join us in making a difference.

Switzerland is the home to between 500 000 and 1.5 million wild rodents. The prevalent method for rat control relies on rodenticides and subjects rats to severe distress and suffering, leaving these animals to experience a painful death over the course of several days. Beyond the suffering imposed on rats, these substances pose considerable risks to a wide array of fauna and flora.

Urban rats are considered “disgusting” and a “pest”. This belief has led to an increased use of rodenticides and traps. The prevalent pest control methods are not only problematic from a welfare standpoint; they are also unreliable and there is little information about their efficacy. Rats may build up resistance to specific types over time, inadequate doses can lead to suffering without death. Rats’ neophobic tendencies may result in their avoidance of consuming rodenticides, as well as staying away from traps. Additionally, experts agree that killing rodents will push surviving individuals to repopulate, and often to exceed the number of rodents that were present in the first place…

Rodents are sentient: they can feel pain, suffering, regret but also pleasure, joy, empathy – and even laughter: rats giggle when tickled! Despite scientific evidence of rats’ intelligence, they are still misunderstood and mistreated creatures. Their dignity is flouted, and they do not have the legal protection of other vertebrates. Understanding the importance of rat welfare is essential to fostering greater appreciation for rodents’ role in the environment and human societies, as well as safeguarding human (and non-human animal) public health.

The aim of our petition

Through the “Invisible Animal” campaign and petition, we aim to prioritise the well-being of urban rats through ethical population management. In this context, we call for increased awareness of rat overpopulation measures, as well as the development of a plan to replace rodenticides with more ethical management methods, such as contraceptives.

Sentience’s asks for urban rats

  1. Development of a phase-out plan to replace rodenticides with more humane methods of rat population management
  2. Raising awareness on measures and methods that prevent rat overpopulation
  3. Restrictions on the sale and use of smoke or gas cartridges, which kill rats by asphyxiation and other sufferings
  4. Ban on the sale and use of anticoagulant rodenticides, which cause a painful death from internal haemorrhage in rats
  5. Ban on the sale and use of rodenticides containing zinc phosphide, which leave rats with breathing difficulties, seizures, circulatory weakness, abdominal pain and bloody vomiting

The unseen consequences of rodenticides

What happens to rats when they come into contact with rodenticides? The substance will reduce the blood’s ability to form clots, which will result in rats experiencing severe internal bleeding, as well as internal and external haematomas. Anticoagulant rodenticides will take days to kill rats through haemorrhaging. They are found convulsing and trembling, while blood comes out of their eyes and nose. In their final moments, rats will suffer indescribable abdominal, joint and muscular pain, as well as potential mental distress.

The consequences of rodenticides do not stop there. The widespread use of these chemicals comes with environmental hazards, all of which have detrimental effects for companion animals as well as for wild species such as birds,foxes and fish. It leaves part of Switzerland’s fauna (and flora) to perish in terrible muscular, joint and abdominal pain. Ethically speaking, the widespread use of rodenticides and the minute concern about the consequent suffering of rats are alarming.

The current alternatives to anticoagulant rodenticides and traps are promising. Fertility control via contraceptives is one of them. “Integrated Pest Management” (IPM) is also an avenue to explore: this holistic method involves various strategies, including proper waste management, the elimination of food supplies and harbourage, as well as rodent exclusion and relocation. Combined, these methods have the potential to keep rat populations in check and to contribute to a more peaceful and co-existence between humans and rodents in cities.

Become an advocate for rats!

Humans play a part in rats’ welfare through our management of waste, through the avoidance of rodenticides, or even through the preservation of green spaces. By implementing small actions, we can all help improve the lives of thousands of small, silent and sentient beings.

Individually, you can sign our petition, and help us in promoting the political discourse on the use of rodenticides and the general handling of urban rats. Even though a single signature may feel like nothing, a well-supported petition can serve as a powerful demonstration of public concern and support for urban rat welfare.

Become a voice for the invisible residents of our cities.

Similar articles

Keep the bees buzzing

Keep the bees buzzing

Switzerland is home to more than 600 species of wild bees, and counts several billion honey bees. All these insects’ lives are threatened because of the use of pesticides. We must act now to preserve all bee species.

Keep the bees buzzing
Out of sight, out of mind – why we need stricter rules for aquaculture

Out of sight, out of mind – why we need stricter rules for aquaculture

Aquaculture poses a massive threat to the welfare of fish. They are confined in basins under conditions that would be deemed unacceptable even in factory farming. Yet, their cognitive abilities often match or exceed those of other vertebrates.

Out of sight, out of mind – why we need stricter rules for aquaculture
Rethinking Pigeon Welfare in Urban Environments

Rethinking Pigeon Welfare in Urban Environments

200’000 to 300’000 pigeons live amongst us in Swiss cities. In the absence of an animal-friendly pigeon management concept, the number of birds has exploded in many cities. Their overpopulation is causing apprehension regarding public health.

Rethinking Pigeon Welfare in Urban Environments
The “invisible” animals need your help

The “invisible” animals need your help

Acknowledging the capacity for suffering as a crucial moral criterion is the core concern of Sentience. Therefore, we aim to give a voice to those animals whose well-being receives no attention in our society - the “invisible” animals.

The “invisible” animals need your help
Interspecies diplomacy: ever a possibility?  Decoding

Interspecies diplomacy: ever a possibility? Decoding

Despite the current Swiss political scene, the environmental emergency continues, and its impact on all beings is evermore pressing. And so, we must start now to think about what engaging diplomatically with non-human animals will look like.

Interspecies diplomacy: ever a possibility? Decoding
Sentience becomes the hundredth member of the Open Wing Alliance

Sentience becomes the hundredth member of the Open Wing Alliance

Sentience is the first Swiss organization to join the alliance, which was founded in 2016. In doing so, our organization is committing to become an even stronger advocate for the interests of chickens at home and abroad in the future.

Sentience becomes the hundredth member of the Open Wing Alliance
We lost the vote, and factory farmed animals still need our help

We lost the vote, and factory farmed animals still need our help

Swiss voters have now decided the outcome of our flagship initiative to abolish factory farming, which was launched by Sentience in 2018. The incredible support of our partner organisations, network of volunteers and public figures made it possible…

We lost the vote, and factory farmed animals still need our help
Despite defeat: Factory farming has won Switzerland’s attention

Despite defeat: Factory farming has won Switzerland’s attention

The Swiss electorate rejected the initiative against factory farming. As part of the sponsoring committee, Sentience is pleased that the initiative has received a great deal of attention in recent months. Since the initiative's launch in 2018…

Despite defeat: Factory farming has won Switzerland’s attention