New York City is gearing up to tackle its rat problem in a whole new way—by giving the rodents birth control. Starting in 2025, the city will roll out ContraPest, a clever contraceptive designed specifically for rats. With an estimated 3 million rats scurrying around, this plan, approved by the City Council, aims to humanely reduce their numbers by preventing future generations rather than relying on toxic poisons that harm pets and other wildlife.

The process is simple but effective: sweet, rat-friendly bait laced with contraceptives will be placed in strategic high-traffic rat zones. The bait works by disrupting reproductive functions in both male and female rats, making sure they can’t contribute to the next rat generation.

Although previous attempts to control the city's rat population using birth control didn’t quite succeed, city officials are hopeful that this new method, combined with better trash management and public education, will finally slow down the notorious rat race—literally!