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.
- Check out R.A.T.S.!, our graphic novel about how RATS and its allies took flight—and keep soaring
- Take a look at some of our large-scale public education campaigns!
- Share (and print!) our poster on the science behind how anticoagulants can harm wildlife and pets:
- Watch Raptor Blues (a cool Claymation video by Ian Timothy) and Anticoagulant Rodenticides and Raptors (by Matthew Falcon for the California Raptor Center):
For our California supporters
In the Fall of 2025, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) proposed new rules on anticoagulant use that significantly increase the scope of permitted rodenticide users, as well as the amount of rodenticides that can be used in our state, even including use in wildlife habitat areas. We are dismayed that DPR is attempting to circumvent the laws passed by our state legislature over the past four years and will continue to fight to make sure this does not happen.
- Read the comment letter submitted by RATS and the Center for Biological Diversity
- Read the new San Francisco Chronicle article
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. On September 24, 2024, Governor Newsom signed AB 2552 into law, adding chlorophacinone and warfarin into the moratorium. These latest two bills were introduced by Assemblymember Laura Friedman and co-sponsored by RATS and the Center for Biological Diversity, along with the Animal Legal Defense Fund (AB 2552) with over 79 environmental nonprofits supporting this legislation.
To report a violation of these new laws, please make sure the poison you see is actually a second gen anticoagulant or–starting January 1, 2025–any of the first generation products. These are listed below. If the box is labeled and shows any anticoagulants, take a photo of the label and contact your local county ag commissioner. If you find an unlabeled box, please report that as well. Stores can no longer sell these products over the counter either. You can also report violations to the CA Department of Pesticide Regulation. Thank you for helping rid our environment of these dangerous products.
Second generation anticoagulants:
Brodifacoum
Bromadialone
Difethialone
Difenacoum
First generation anticoagulants:
Diphacinone
Chlorophacinone
Warfarin
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.
