Help with a field mouse

HelenUK25 · #1 (**permalink**) 28-06-2009, 02:59 PM

Hi everyone
I'm new to this forum *waves*
I was wondering if someone could give me some advice about a mouse that my dad has found in the shed. We think he is a field mouse from what i've looked at on the internet. I think he's been living in our shed for a little while. I can't find a nest so he doesn't seem to have any family about but i'm not sure what to do with him. For now we've just put in my old goldfish tank with the lid off. We've given him a bit of water and some bird seed. I don't want to keep him as a pet if this is cruel but then i'm also worried about just letting him go in the garden because we have quite a few cats in the area.
Please someone get back to me and let me know what you think I should do with him. He's so cute and i've already named him Maurice haha. Don't want to get too attached but its hard.

Helen x

bobbarber · #2 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 01:31 AM

Hello Helen, and a warm welcome to wab. I know your intentions are good, but it would be unkind to keep it. It is a wild creature and it`s life is mean`t to be spent in the wild. I would put it back in the shed (if that`s o.k. with your dad

) He will probably leave the shed as they prefer the fields and hedgerows. As for cats, he`s escaped them so far. Good luck...Bob

HelenUK25 · #3 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 09:33 AM

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the welcome and thank you for your advice. I really don't know what to do with this little mouse, he's so tiny and I don't want to keep him if its going to be cruel but i'm worried he'll get killed if we just let him go or put him back in the shed. He spent the night in our house last night, still in the old fish tank of course and he seems happy enough but obviously I just want to do the right thing by him. I read on the internet that field mice don't live very long and often live longer in captivity.

I think we will have to make a decision tonight when I get home from work.

Thanks again
Helen x

stigofthedump · #4 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 10:57 AM

Hi Helen, and a very warm welcome to WAB.

I’m afraid that Bob’s advice is the only way to go. You really should put it back where you found it and let him/her get on with doing the things field mice need to get up to.

Vince

Pigeon feather · #5 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 11:14 AM

Yes please don't keep him, as others have said, he is a wild creature and will be deeply unhappy kept in captivity regardless of whether he eats or not, just let him go, it's the best thing for him, there are many others out there even if you can't see them, they are sociable creatures so it is cruel keeping him. Also it doesn't matter whether they live longer in captivity, mice do not care whether they live long they just want to reproduce and go about their business, keeping him will stop him doing this, he is better off having a short happy life than a long sad one, do you not agree? please do the right thing by him, I know you mean well

if you would like a mouse as a pet why not get a domestic one? they are not too expensive to buy or keep and make much better pets than a wild mouse that will bite and scurry away at every opportunity.

HelenUK25 · #6 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 11:55 AM

I've been thinking about him all day and I think you are all right, I think I will let him go tonight, it doesn't seem right to keep him and whatever happens will happen. Thanks again everyone for your kind advice. I will keep you posted x

HelenUK25 · #7 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 01:38 PM

Also - do you think I should put him back in the shed or just let him outside? Perhaps behind the shed or something...I know there is a hedge at the back but I also know the cat was sniffing round there too.

stigofthedump · #8 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 03:38 PM

Helen I would put him/her back where you found it, familiar surroundings should be best I would imagine. Someone with far more experience than me with small mammals will be along with advice I’m sure.
.

Vince

HelenUK25 · #9 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 04:48 PM

Just to let you know, we've put Maurice back in the shed where we found him. We think he's hid behind something like he did before. I hope he finds his way out and that he'll be ok. I'm a bit emotional now lol.

Thanks again for the advice x

bobbarber · #10 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 11:42 PM

Hello Helen, be happy for Maurice. Why not do what Pigeon feather suggested and get a tame mouse or two they make very good pets. They come in many different colours not just white...Bob