New Video Reveals PETA EVP’s Creative Approach to ‘Rat Eviction’

For Immediate Release:
July 10, 2024

Contact:
Rachel Hershkovitz 202-483-7382

Rustle, rustle! Scurry, scurry! As this new video shows, when PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman heard noises signifying that a rat had taken up residence in her attic, she didn’t reach for any horrifically cruel “pest” control methods. Instead, Reiman set up Ring cameras, and the delightful footage she captured gave not only a remarkable glimpse into the secret lives of rats but also revealed where the clever little animal was entering from, allowing her to seal up the holes and humanely move him on—for good.

Before receiving the eviction notice, the busy animal was caught on camera keeping to a very regular schedule and occasionally bringing friends over. (Together, the rats would exhibit a behavior known as freudensprung, or “joy jumps.”)

“The cameras gave a fascinating peek into the hidden lives of rats, who are just trying to survive and find moments of joy in a world that vilifies them,” says Reiman. “It’s always worth it to spend a little extra time getting to the root of the problem when it means you can avoid inflicting suffering again and again—because every animal is someone.”

PETA notes that killing methods such as glue traps, poisons, or drowning are not only cruel to rodents but also ineffective, as the decreased competition for available food sources leads to accelerated breeding among survivors—and a spike in populations. The group offers long-term tips on living in harmony with wildlife, including by not leaving out food, keeping trash in chew-proof containers, and never buying or using inhumane and ineffective wildlife-control products.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.