We fortunately didn't have to deal with rats. Surprised we didn't, in Raleigh, guess the tyrannid-esque mass of roaches (as in, I often woke up with them on my skin. On the second floor) ate their intended meals. Mice got by just fine, though.
In case I haven't told the story yet...
My brave Luki woke us up one night, gma and me. Yowling like a bobcat possessed. Such a growl... I went downstairs, met gma, and we found Luki staring down this plush, white, extra-long-haired, pitiful housecat.
Luki was growling as a cat does: *eerily* still, mouth open, a low yowwwwwwwwl steadily filling the entire house. The poor target looked at us beseechingly. Whatever they was doing prior to our arrival, they threw themself on our mercy immediately. I think I saw a change as they noticed me.
I picked that poor fluffy cat up and set them outside, and it was purring as I did. But not as much as Luki purred as I went back to her. Hehe, needy little bitch... damn I miss her.
I remember when my brother and I briefly adopted a stray cat at our 4th home. She didn't attack him, but she made her opinion clear.
Basically, as a stray, she hated other cats more than any other animal. She was a bit insecure, our Luki, though she shouldn't have been.
...I took her to die, to end her pain, and she did so in my arms...
She lived a long life, and for most of it I was with her. Loving her. I'm most sorry for that bit around the middle, where I had to leave until I took her back.