PETA Director Seeks NYC’s Proposed Inaugural ‘Rat Ambassador’ Job – Instead of ‘Czar,’ Friend

As our readers know, PETA has long advocated for humane control methods for rat populations – specifically removing food sources so they will move on to greener pastures.  We asked PETA the following questions (questions in bold, answers in italics):

Has the mayor elect expressed interest in continuing and expanding the rat czar role?  Has he mentioned an intention to continue the animal friendly methods thus far used or expanding them?

Mamdani has made clear that he’s focused on common-sense solutions, like expanding the residential containerization initiative to make sure that more trash is removed from city streets. We also know he cares about animals: he opposes the horse-drawn carriage industry, and he supports banning glue traps.  

We encourage everyone to stand up for the much-maligned little animals. ​As part of our broader campaign to remind people that rats deserve compassion, too, anyone can head to the PETA shop to get a viral “Rats Have Rights” mug. 

Last year, PETA even rushed Former Mayor Eric Adams a mug and one of our Empathy Kits— which offer a step-by-step guide to cultivating compassion— after he said he “hates rats” while announcing the inaugural National Urban Rat Summit. 

New York — With Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani facing pressure from a group of rattled Brooklynites to appoint a new “rat czar,” NYC-based PETA Director Ashley Byrne is throwing her hat into the ring for the rodent-focused role—but with the intention of serving all New Yorkers as the city’s first-ever “Rat Ambassador.” Says Ms. Byrne, “Poisoning, gassing, and other cruel deeds all failed, whereas co-existence with urban wildlife requires kindness, common sense, and altering human behavior that attracts rats in the first place.”

After PETA pushed the city and its previous “rat czar” to prioritize effective control methods like trash mitigation over cruel, lethal methods such as glue traps, poisons, and dog patrols, commonsense solutions like residential containerization requirements were put into place—and have led to a significant decrease in rat sightings. With the unsuccessful “War on Rats” being phased out and replaced with a “War on Trash,” New York is now entering a new era of diplomacy with its most misunderstood residents—and Byrne would keep the momentum going.

“Rats are affectionate, complex individuals, and it’s not their fault they’ve gotten used to the free buffet of trash left out in the streets by human slobs,” says PETA Director Ashley Byrne. “As Rat Ambassador, I’d work to promote empathy for these resilient urban dwellers and help build a city that’s cleaner, safer, and kinder to all.”

PETA notes that rats form close bonds with their families and friends, enjoy playing and wrestling, and even giggle when tickled. New Yorkers who truly want rats to move out of town can do their part by not leaving out food, keeping trash in chew-proof containers, and never buying or using cruel and ineffective wildlife-control products. Killing methods such as glue traps, poisons, or drowning are not only cruel to rats but also worthless, as the decreased competition for available food sources leads to accelerated breeding among survivors—and a spike in populations.

Banner Image: Rats Have Rights mug by PETA. Image Credit – PETA