250 mice in need of loving homes following massive surrender, animal organization says

Alert: Mice adopters are "urgently" needed!

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals-Angell said more than 500 mice were recently surrendered from an area house.

Now, the small rodents need new homes.

All of these mice were surrendered from a single home -- alas, this is a case of a person who means well but whose situation quickly got out of hand," Rob A. Halpin of the MSPCA-Angell told The National Desk in an email. "Our teams have spent many hours neutering as many of the male mice as we can, and we’ll only be adopting single sex pairs (or individuals) into new homes to ensure the population does not grow again."

Halpin said the mice are all safe and in the care of the MSPCA's shelter -- where they will stay until they are adopted.

Mice can be very popular pets, especially for families or parents of young children who want to teach pet care responsibility through the hands-on experience of keeping a pet mouse," Halpin told The National Desk. "We get lots of adopters who are interested in that. Moreover, it’s an important inflection point for the MSPCA: this is a reminder that pets, such as mice, that we tend to think we need to buy from a pet store, are almost always available for adoption at a local animal shelter. So we hope everyone inclined to get a mouse (or other small pet) will think adoption first, buying second."

Halpin added that MSPCA-Angell "will interview prospective adopters to ensure these mice are going to safe and responsible homes."

A post onMSPCA-Angell's Facebook page noted the nonprofit organization is "hoping to do the impossible" and find homes for the mice as soon as possible. In order to help make that happen, fees for mouse adoptions will be waived on Saturday and Sunday.

"During the mouse-a-palooza adoptathon, we will also be providing starter kits to the first 75 adopters who take home a mouse or pair of mice," according to the post. "The kits, valued at $60, include a tank to house the mice, bedding, bottles, bowls, and huts. So, please spread the word, tell your friends, and come adopt a mouse this weekend!"

Learn more at mspca.org/feewaived.