Stephanie Cameron is a volunteer with Rattie Ratz Rescue in the bay area of California. Each month KRL will be featuring a column from Rattie Ratz.
While it’s true we should cherish our loved ones every day, Valentine’s Day can help remind us to appreciate and honor those dearest to us. It’s a day to be thankful for the loved ones in our lives, and to show our appreciation through meaningful gestures or loving words. Many people celebrate love between family and friends on this day, but one relationship that deserves just as much fanfare is the love we share with our furry friends. Today’s story features sisters Comet and Star, who will unequivocally steal your heart.
Comet and Star live with their human mom Ada, and her family. Before they found their way to Ada, these rat sisters were born on Christmas Day 2024 in a Salinas shelter, where their pregnant mother Pixie had been surrendered. The shelter quickly reached out to Rattie Ratz Rescue, and soon Pixie and her 17 babies were delivered safely to a foster home where Pixie could rest and care for her large brood in peace. While in foster care it became apparent that Pixie suffered from severe vision loss, and the volunteers agreed it would be best for Pixie to go into the rescues sanctuary program. Pixie and one of her daughters now live with a loving and dedicated volunteer. The rest of Pixie’s babies quickly found forever homes in February 2025, Comet and Star among them.
Rewind to three years ago when eight-year-old Ada was determined to have a pet. Rats were not at the top of the list; in fact, they weren’t on the list at all. Ada’s mother Beth explains how “if you had asked our family three years ago if we would be rat owners by choice, the answer was a definite ‘no.’ We had been subjected to rats living in our cars and wreaking havoc around our house, so the idea seemed not only gross, but like a lot of work.” But Ada was up for the challenge! When looking for a family pet it was important that the animal pass Dad’s allergy test, be cuddly, and low maintenance enough for Ada to be the primary caregiver. After researching a plethora of furry and scaly options, it became clear rats were the best fit for Ada and her family.
Beth praises how Comet and Star are a wonderful addition to the family. “We learned a very important lesson this time around: adopting rats that have been well socialized is a very important step to quicker bonding. Unlike our first pair which we purchased from a breeder, Comet and Star were excited to be handled and crawled in our hands immediately. That is 100% because of the amazing Rattie Ratz volunteers who socialized the mom and her babies until adoption.”
Comet and Star have grown into themselves over the last year and have become sweet and playful companions. Star is the more adventurous of the sisters and during play time can often be seen stashing her snacks under Ada’s bed – you never know when you might need a little nibble. When she’s done hiding her snacks she’ll insist on cuddle time by climbing up Ada’s leg. In addition to the necessary cuddles and snacks, Comet and Star enjoy renovating their hammocks to include windows and back doors, for easier snack and cuddle access. But don’t worry; the sisters balance their snack intake by going for runs on their wheel, sometimes together!
Ada always makes sure the girls start their day off right. Beth describes how, “with their cage in my daughter’s bedroom, the rats and Ada ‘get ready’ together. As soon as their cage door opens, they run up the impromptu ramp made out of clipboards to the counter, where they receive their morning kisses, cuddles, and treats to start their day.” Ada sharing a special moment with her loving ratties – I can’t think of a better way to start the day…