But, I'm also a realist when it comes to everything's place in the animal kingdom, and that includes Man. Everything has its place in the food chain, including us. Yes, we are the only animal with a true choice, but the Chain exists for a reason. In the long run, odd as it may sound, it's for the benefit of all living things. Spiders....can't stand them and I'm deathly allergic to them. But, unless I really have to, I don't kill them. They get rid of the pest insects. If they're up on the ceiling with a little web and not buggin' me, I don't usually worry. Now, a big honkin' monster on the inside of my shower curtain has a date with D-Con.
The rat thing. Hun, I live between two corn fields. I have seen the damage rats can cause a house. And yes, they do come back in if you manage to catch them and put them outside. I've personally seen the same rat come right back in after I let it go. (I once thought that way, but age and experience have widened my views, as hard as the actual killing of any animal is to me.) I've spend hundreds of dollars repairing holes in my siding, over my foundation, in my foundation...and once, I had a major infestation and had to take a beloved cat to the vet for serious treatment when she got into a nasty nest in the basement. Cat vs. Rat is easy...Cat vs. 20 rats...not so much.
I'm pretty easy to get along with in the animal kingdom, and I'd like to personally maim people who get thier kicks from arbitrarily hurting an animal for no reason...and testing make-up ain't a reason. Medical research, I'm on the fence on...it's case by case with me. Generally, I'm against it, but there are a few exceptions. The downside of living in a real world. If I had my way in a perfect world, we'd all live in harmony, and I try to live that way unless all other options have been exhausted.