Rat Way Sanctuary Logo

Providing compassionate, quality care to the most vulnerable and advocating for ethical rat keeping everywhere.

Meet our Team

Laura

She/Her

I adopted my first rat in 2017. She was a stray naked rat who came through DoveLewis while I was working, and I instantly fell in love. From there it was a crash course in rat keeping. I quickly adopted two more, and the numbers have only grown from there.

At this point, I can’t imagine my life without them. I have always been drawn to the “lemons.” I can’t resist an ailing senior or a stray. Between my experience working for DoveLewis and through my own rats, I have developed a wide array of skills and am comfortable managing complex cases. I look forward to turning this hobby into a real service to the rat community.

Kara

She/They

I grew up with rats as pets and have owned rats consistently since 2016 and have a tendency to adopt older rescues and medically needy rats. I have worked at an Exotic Pet Clinic since 2021 and am an assistant/tech and the resident ‘rat specialist’.

Most of the patients that I assist with are rats and I am very familiar with proper rat husbandry and basic care. I have also seen a wide array of medical conditions and have owned rats with complicated health concerns ranging from chronic respiratory disease to epilepsy with frequent convulsions. I am excited to be a part of the Rat Way Sanctuary team and to be able to help the most vulnerable of rats and those that need more specialized care.

Kylie

She/Her

My husband and I have cared for rats for the last 5 years, and there is no animal that I could possibly love more!

We were a long-term foster home for over fifteen small animals in 2023 and have had dozens stay with us during local rescue transitions. But no matter how many animals I meet, those in need of extra care – medical or behavioral – are my favorite to help. I’m thrilled to be a part of Rat Way and to advocate for the ethical care of small animals everywhere.

Lionel

He/Him

I moved to Portland in 2018 from a career in environmental advocacy in Colorado, and ever since caring for rats has been a central and rewarding part of my life.

I’ve become passionate about the challenges these animals face and finding ways to apply my advocacy background to help raise awareness and improve the situation. Our sanctuary work enables us to step up our direct help for rats in desperate situations, model ethical rat keeping, and spread the word about the commitment and care these wonderful animals deserve.