Oh, Rats!

Oh, Rats! is a science fiction novella by Miriam Allen De Ford, first published in 1961. The story follows SK540, a laboratory-created super-rat with advanced intelligence, as he escapes and leads a colony of ordinary rats against human control. The narrative delves into themes of power, freedom, and the ethical implications of human experimentation on animals, culminating in a tense confrontation between the intelligent rats and the laboratory technician Philip Vinson and his wife. This work highlights the potential consequences of scientific exploration and the importance of empathy towards sentient beings.