Bank Vole advise

fluffymum · #1 (**permalink**) 28-09-2011, 10:34 PM

Hi everyone
One of our cats caught another Vole today, after a little research I think it's a Bank Vole as it has a longer tail than the Field Vole one of the cats caught a few weeks ago, it has a similar face to the Field Vole.
Anyway it's very active, drinking and eating but I'm wondering what to do, I've read before that they have little chance of survival in the wild and don't live very long due to the many predators and that it's fine to keep one, but at the same time I'm not sure if this is right?
I know they need different veg depending on the time of year and not just pet shop food.
He has a little cut on his head which must be from our cat so his chances of that becoming infected are quite high, am I right?
We do have a Wildlife rescue place near us so I'm thinking I should take him there where they will give him antibiotics and release him.
Any advise is much appreciated.

Suffolk-Chris · #2 (**permalink**) 28-09-2011, 11:24 PM

I'd keep the little chap as quiet as possible and try to avoid peeking in to look, then take him/her along to the wildlife rescue centre as soon as you can. They will have the expertise to check him over, assess and treat the wound and get him back into his natural environment as soon as possible.

I know it might look like a potential case for keeping at home, but personally I think that, even if it is a short life spent dodging predators, it is best out there in the wild, where it is used to being and can live in its own territory, rather than being restricted to a cage in a world which will smell, sound and look bewildering and frightening to it.

Let us know how you get on at the rescue place.

fluffymum · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 11:09 AM

Thanks for that, we decided to take him to the rescue place where they would let him back into the wild after their care but he sadly died yesterday so I think we were too late.
They're really cute and I'd love to keep one but their place is in the wild so I think we'll just get a pet rat or mouse from a pet shop when my daughter is older.
Thanks for the advise x

Farplace · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 12:33 PM

Could I suggest that you look to adopt a rat or mouse group from a rescue centre. I dont know where in the UK you are, but there are a lot of small pet mammals in rescue centres throughout the country. For example, we have over 100 mice.....