Anticoagulant Rodenticides,  also known as rat poison, are toxic, deadly chemicals used to kill rodents, but their lethal effects stretch far beyond just rodents. These poisonous substances are lethal to our beloved pets and wildlife population, as well. Once exposed, animals experience painful itching, hair loss, weight loss, scabbing, and in many cases, death either by slowly bleeding to death, or failure of their body’s vital organs.

Recently, our beloved P-22 was euthanized due to injury and other health issues associated with exposure to poison. P-22 suffered from Mange, a parasitic skin infection likely complicated by exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides, making his body more susceptible to bleeding, more prone to infections, and likely contributing to his liver and kidney failure. 

Wildlife can be affected through direct or indirect contact, as rodents who digest these poisons are typically the main food supply for many of our wildlife friends. Wildlife can also be exposed due to weather conditions and other environmental factors that spread to their environment, water, and food supply. And inhalation of anticoagulant rodenticides can be just as harmful and fatal to both the wildlife and our pets. 

In memory of P-22 and for the future of his kind and animals everywhere, I ask for you to sign this petition to end the sales and use of rat poison in California. Let’s honor P-22s memory in a meaningful and impactful way by demanding change and protecting our most vulnerable creatures from suffering the same way he and so many others have before him .