A group of New Yorkers spent hours this week studying about rats' daily routines, diets, and reproductive activity as part of the first step toward joining a new volunteer program for residents who want to eliminate New York City of its rodent population.

Volunteers.Photo byNYC Mayor Eric Adams From X (Twitter)

People who attend a two-hour Rat Academy class, a city rat mitigation event, and a rat walk organized by the city's rat czar, Kathy Corradi, will be inducted into the "New York City Rat Pack," an exclusive squad of dedicated anti-rat campaigners. According to the Adams administration, membership amenities include a T-shirt and a hat.

Since the group's announcement, city officials have been forced to cap registration due to the high volume of signups. According to local health department data, each event attracts an average of 191 attendees.

Inside The Training Session

The local news reporter registered for the 5 p.m. webinar, which was aimed at community gardeners. A link arrived in her inbox just minutes before the session began.

Over the following two hours, participants viewed a crash course slideshow on the Norway rat, New York City's most frequent rat breed.

Learning About The Rodents

One slide showed the rodents' subterranean routes from the entrance to the escape hole. Experts added that the burrowing rodent can ascend when necessary, but it prefers to reside in tunnels as deep as 18 inches underground.

Participants messaged the panellists about audio or connectivity concerns and interrupted the session numerous times. Other individuals chose to listen via dial-in.