Example Letter to your Local Councillors

Below is an example of a letter you can send to your local councillors asking them to oppose a cull of rats and/or mice in your area.

A councillor’s role is to represent and advocate for those that live in their area and to provide a bridge between the community and the council. If the cull is being carried out by your local council, you can ask one or more of your local councillors to approach the council on your behalf. If the cull is on private property, for example, a shop, they may still get involved.

If you can, please personalise the words, as this helps your letter have more impact, especially if other residents are also writing to them.

Dear Councillor [Name] 

I am writing as a resident of [your area] as I have discovered that the council is planning to cull rats and/or mice* at [location]. Rats and/or mice* are highly social animals, who live in close family units, where they build complex relationships. This makes culling particularly cruel. 

Methods used to cull rats and/or mice* can cause terrible suffering. Rodent poisons, typically cause animals to die from internal bleeding and this horrific process can take several days. During this time the animals will remain conscious and experience symptoms, such as pain, thirst, dizziness and fear. Apart from causing pain and distress to the animals who are the intended target, poisons can also damage the environment and may affect non-target species, such as birds of prey or cats. Snap traps (a ‘traditional’ trap which aims to break the animals’ neck) may not kill rodents instantly and so animals can be left to suffer a slow and painful death.  

As well as being cruel, killing rats and/or mice* does not work, so it is a waste of resources. If there is a good source of food in an area and the environment remains attractive, any reduction in the numbers of rats or mice will quickly be reversed by other animals coming to take their place. 

There are many cost-effective humane alternatives to culling. For rats and/or mice*, these include using indoor and outdoor sonic repellents and ensuring buildings are well maintained and that holes are blocked. 

These, and other methods, are explained in the following resources: 

  1. Animal Aid’s ‘Alternatives to Culling’ booklet: https://www.animalaid.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/alternativestoculling2022-4.pdf 
  2. Animal Aid’s Rats and Mice Advice sheet: https://www.animalaid.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Rats-and-mice-advice-sheet.pdf 

As my local councillor I ask that you raise this issue within the council, asking them to reconsider their decision to cull rats and/or mice* and instead opt for non-lethal humane methods.  

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, 

 

[Name] 

[Address] 

 

*Please amend as appropriate. 

Find contact details for your local councillors