My name is Stephanie Costain and I started PEI’s Rat Haven in April, 2016. Just a few short months before this I got my first rat, Templeton. He was a 1 year old Himalayan, a rejected feeder rat for a snake that no one wanted. I was new to being a rat parent and didn’t know much of anything. I was not prepared to take in a rat but I do not regret my decision in the least. I felt like I saved him f
rom a life of uncertainty. Rats are misunderstood and I didn’t realize how much of a stigma there is around them. I started this group in hopes to educate and show people that rats aren’t these diseased animals they think they are, they are small creatures with huge hearts!! I also wanted to learn more – to this day, I’m learning new and interesting things about pet rats. I began taking in “foster” rats in March, 2016 – a friend could no longer care for hers and asked if I could help her find homes for the ones that she had. I took them in, cared for them, and made sure they went to a great forever home. A week later, I got a message asking to help out with more rats from a different person … then a week later I got another message … then I decided to make the group to connect everyone and let them know I’m here to help. I started off impulsively taking in 1 rat without knowing anything to now owning a mischief of 12 of my own plus the countless fosters that have come through my doors thus far. I could not have done it without the help of my fellow foster mom and good friend, Cheryl Gillman. This journey began with just me and now I have many people supporting and helping me out!! PEI’s Rat Haven has grown into something I never thought it would become. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and everyone of who has had my back, who has donated graciously to this cause, and to all of the members in the group.
