Felix to the rescue! Though I too am an ol' softie when it comes to critters .... some don't get a "free pass" either. I've never even seen a big ol' rat in person either ... just small mice. Stay outside of my house and they get free passes .... but they are rare too. Mother nature's other critters keep them all in check around here fwiw.
Nature has a balance .... thanks Mom

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I've never had a cat .... "Moka" went off about an hour ago... I looked out and saw a cat at the front of my yard that went down into the street drain .... see them all the time going in & out...
Mom's cats