If You Give a Mouse a House
When we opened Suzanne’s Place in 2024, we welcomed small animals in need for the first time at our Sanctuary. We’ve had small animals surrendered through our Rehoming Program, found abandoned by Animal Control, or rescued from a hoarding situation… but unlike any other animal, some of our mice were actually born at our Sanctuary! From pet mice in need of a new home, to pregnant females and mice rescued from hoarding situations – we have had a steady stream of pet mice since the start.
Getting to know mice as companions has been amazingly rewarding, eye opening, and unexpected!
Their size is similar to hamsters but their body is sleeker. Their adorable ears pop on the side of their cute little faces, and we’ve seen an array of fur colors and spots.
Mice adapt easily to our schedule and are very active throughout the daytime! Visiting the mice during the day at the Sanctuary, there is always someone up grabbing a snack, burrowing in their fluff, or running on their wheel. No need to wake them up for social time – most will happily come out to play for a walnut piece. We have found them to be quite social with people, often seeking attention from those they see on a regular basis. In a home, it’s even more magical!
“I had never thought about adopting a mouse until I began volunteering at Our Companions Animal Sanctuary. Each mouse displays their unique personality. Everyone, family and friends, are pleasantly surprised that he is so friendly. He climbs into everyone’s hand and up their arms. He is doing great!” – Small Animal Volunteer and Adopter
Male mice tend to be territorial thus they live in a single habitat. This allows for even more bonding to their human friends – of all ages!
“We are so glad we adopted our mouse! He’s been a great addition to the family. He has given my two young sons the opportunity to learn about taking care of a pet, from cleaning his cage, socializing with him, and making sure he is safe and as happy as possible. He has been very social and loves attention. Plus, the way he burrows and rearranges the fluff in his cage after we clean it is just about the cutest thing ever.” – Adopter
Females are social with one another and can even bond with “new” females. It’s great to keep litters of females together and/or with mom as there is usually an instant bond with kin.
“Having a pair of mice was really such a fun experience. They were not only incredibly affectionate, but they were also very intelligent! It was sweet watching them take care of each other and become two little best friends who ate together, slept together and did everything together. Not only are they adorable but when they bond to you, it’s so rewarding. There isn’t a feeling like having a critter so tiny trust and love you.” – Adopter
With the right personality matches and slow acclimation to each other, we have had some of our adopted females bond with other female mice in need of friends too! They are great companions for many ages and homes. They primarily eat a premade mouse block so there’s not a lot of prep work to their diets, and snacks are a great way to bond. They like a few inches of fluff to burrow and are easily pleased with cardboard tubes (along with all the other fun things you want to add to your habitat!).
“We learn so much at the Sanctuary and love getting creative with enrichment, but their habitats are still meant to be temporary. I love hearing back from adopters on all the new things their mice are experiencing! Take Sugar: our habitats were too short to have slings safely so I did not have insight on if our mice would enjoy them. Safe to say, Sugar looks amazingly pleased in her new habitat and sling bed!” – Mice Adoption Counselor
If you give a mouse a house, you’ll be rewarded when you gain the trust of such a tiny animal – as they get to know the sound of your voice, scurrying out of their fluff when you enter the room. You’ll be entertained with their interior designing skills and speed on their running wheel! You’ll be admired as the ‘giver of the walnuts’ too.
We would love to help you give a mouse a house too! Using our match-making approach, we can help pair you with the right match of females or a single male. Learn more about the small animals for adoption and apply online today!