We curtail rodenticides to protect wildlife, pets, and people from the threats of these poisons. Instead, DC Responsible Rat Management promotes neighborhood sanitation that limits rats from procreating in the first place.

DC Responsible Rat Management launched at a breakfast meeting of the DC Environmental Network in February of 2025 when community leaders raised growing concerns around the widespread use of rodenticides. At this meeting, City Wildlife released the results of their study of animals who are poisoned by rodenticides, sharing the landmark news that 85% of animals tested came back positive, with most animals having multiple poisons in their system. Dr. Patrick Hilson of the Veterinary Emergency Group spoke about the frequency that animals come in with rodenticide poisoning (multiple times per week) and costs of treatment to save their lives (up to $8,000). And DC Voters for Animals proposed the launch of a new coalition to curtail rodenticide use and promote better sanitation to restore biodiversity and assist those threatened by poisons in their communities. 

Soon thereafter we chose our name to signify our collective goal to drawdown the rat population in DC while promoting abatement methods that do not contribute to secondary poisonings and prolonged harm.

Want to help? There are several ways you can protect DC from rodenticides.

• Get familiar with alternatives to rodenticides and share with neighbors, on listservs, and via social media.

• Let us know if you have a personal encounter with somebody who has ingested rodenticide.

• Reach out to join our coalition–you are welcome to join our monthly calls.