In this multi-story series, the Advance Times shines a light on an issue of growing concern in 91原创 鈥� its increasingly visible rat population. Please check out this and other related articles in this RATS: Friends or Foe series.

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91原创 resident Stephanie Bailey is playing a key role in a new documentary that is shedding light on the secret lives of urban rats.

Bailey, the owner of Eversong Woods Rattery BC 鈥� a local rat breeding and care facility 鈥� served as the animal care expert for the film, Rat City, which aired earlier this month on the CBC鈥檚 The Nature of Things.

Throughout the filming process, Bailey was responsible for the safety, behaviour, diet, and general care of the rats used on the set.

She also helped with 鈥渨rangling鈥� the rats on set to ensure that they could perform as needed for the film.

Bailey鈥檚 pet rats from her rattery played a crucial role in the documentary by providing the team with friendly and happy rats that enabled them to capture intimate and detailed footage of rat behaviour, she explained.

鈥淭he rats used in the set were born and raised in my home,鈥� shared Bailey. 鈥淪ome of the more intimate scenes filmed would have been totally impossible to achieve without access to happy and friendly rats,鈥� she added

As a 91原创 resident, Bailey also highlighted the importance of addressing rat populations in her own backyard.

鈥淚t would be nice for the City to consider expanding their garbage pickup routes to include more streets, as this will definitely help mitigate the rats鈥� access to our waste 鈥� which in turn will dissuade them from seeing our homes as good lodgings,鈥� she said.

As the release of the documentary approached, Bailey was excited for the public to learn more about these misunderstood creatures.

She is also part of the Vancouver Rat Club, a group of volunteers dedicated to improving the public鈥檚 perception of rats.

They also work with local rescues and welfare groups to connect resources to rats in need, as well as rats to their forever homes and fosters

鈥淚t is unfortunate that these creatures have such a bad reputation as they are remarkably smart and bond deeply with their owners and fellow rat friends,鈥� Bailey elaborated.

鈥淸Filmmakers] have done a terrific job of really getting you on a personal level with their subjects, and I am so excited to shine this same light on rats. My hope is that people will learn how remarkably intelligent and adaptable these creatures are. They really do not get the recognition they deserve,鈥� she said.

The documentary, Rat City, not only sheds light on the lives of urban rats, but also on the work of animal care experts like Bailey, who are passionate about educating the public and changing perceptions about these creatures.

Rat City premiered in mid-January on CBC Television, but is also available on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

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CONTINUED IN THE SERIES: 500% increase in rodent related complaints in 91原创

RELATED: Three B.C. communities in top 5 of Canada鈥檚 鈥榬attiest鈥� cities .