In Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, an adopted cat named “Whiskers” has become a local celebrity and unexpected ally in the city’s ongoing battle against its infamous rodent problem. Chicago recently claimed the title of “Rattiest City in America” for the tenth consecutive year, but Whiskers is changing the game, ridding the neighborhood of over 50 rats singlehandedly and earning admiration from residents.
Whiskers, adopted by a local family from a Chicago shelter, has proven herself to be an exceptional exterminator. Her owners initially took her in as a companion but quickly discovered her knack for pest control as she began bringing home evidence of her hunting successes. In a neighborhood plagued by rodents, Whiskers has become a valued member of the community, with neighbors praising her for keeping yards and streets free from rats.
Logan Square residents say they feel the difference since Whiskers began her patrols. “You don’t see as many rats scurrying around at night,” one local resident shared. Others are calling for more neighborhoods to adopt a “Whiskers approach,” advocating for the use of feral cats as natural pest control. This concept, backed by the Tree House Humane Society, is not new to Chicago, where feral cat colonies have been introduced to control rat populations in various neighborhoods. However, Whiskers’ success has brought renewed interest in using cats as a non-toxic alternative to chemical extermination.
The effectiveness of cats like Whiskers offers a unique solution for cities battling rat infestations, which can pose serious health risks. Recent statistics have shown that rat complaints are at record highs across Chicago, particularly as colder weather drives rodents indoors. Programs encouraging the adoption of working cats like Whiskers are now expanding, and animal shelters are playing a key role in identifying cats suited to the job.
As word spreads about Whiskers’ impressive track record, Chicagoans are hopeful that her story will inspire similar efforts across other rat-prone areas. Meanwhile, Whiskers continues her nightly patrols, earning her status as Logan Square’s beloved “rat-catcher in chief.”
