Raptors Are the Solution (RATS) educates the public about the dangers of rat and rodent poisons in the food web. We inform people about the ecological role of wild birds of prey, and work to eliminate toxic rodenticides to prevent further poisonings of wildlife, children, and pets. We envision a healthy, functioning food web in which every organism remains poison free. Rodent poisons undermine a critical piece of this system: the predator/prey relationship. RATS is a fiscally-sponsored project of Earth Island Institute, rated a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator. We partner with environmental nonprofits, agencies, scientists, cities, and others to work toward eliminating toxic rodenticides from the food web.
Click here to see some of our large-scale public education campaigns!
For our California supporters: On September 29, 2020, Governor Newsom signed AB 1788 into law. The law, which went into effect January 1, 2021, puts a moratorium on second generation anticoagulant use (with a few exemptions) until the CA Dept. of Pesticide Regulation finishes reevaluating these dangerous products. RATS is proud to be a co-sponsor of AB 1788 (Assemblymember Richard Bloom, Santa Monica). Read our press release here. On October 13, 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 1322, adding diphacinone, a deadly first generation anticoagulant, to the moratorium. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Laura Friedman and co-sponsored by RATS and the Center for Biological Diversity, with over 79 environmental nonprofits supporting this legislation.
To report a violation of these new laws, please first review our chart of poisons to make sure the poison you see is actually a second gen anticoagulant or–starting January 1, 2024–diphacinone. If the box is labeled and shows a second gen AR or diphacinone, take a photo of the label and contact your local county ag commissioner. If you find an unlabeled box, please report that as well. You can also report violations to the CA Department of Pesticide Regulation. Thank you for helping rid our environment of these dangerous products.
Slider photo credits:
Great Horned Owl • Joe Galkowski
Northern Harrier • Pamela Rose Hawken
Short-eared Owl • Pamela Rose Hawken
Burrowing Owls • Dave Harper
Red-tailed Hawk • Harry Reid
Screech Owl • Joe Galkowski
Coopers Hawk • Joe Galkowski
RAPTORS ARE THE SOLUTION is a project of Earth Island Institute.
RAPTORS ARE THE SOLUTION is a registered trademark.
