They're not vermin, and they're not pests either. Rats are empathetic, highly intelligent animals who possess social dynamics surprisingly similar to our own.
Rats are capable of complex problem-solving, they can use tools, and they will actively choose to rescue a trapped companion even if it means sacrificing food for themselves. They communicate through ultrasonic giggles when happy, experience deep bonds with their family units, and even possess metacognition: the rare ability to think about their own thoughts and decisions.