NH News
NH Rodent Rodeo! Adoption event comes after surrender of hundreds of mice and rats

New Hampshire Public Radio | By Todd Bookman
Published December 13, 2024 at 4:48 PM EST


Todd Bookman/NHPR
The New Hampshire SPCA found itself with more than 850 mice and rats in its care last month. It's hoping to find homes for the remaining rodents this weekend.

“Welcome to Mouse-land!” exclaims Lisa Dennison, executive director of the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham, as she swings open a door.

The room is filled wall-to-wall with glass tanks, each holding mice and African soft fur rats, a handsome little species. It’s one of three areas within the shelter recently modified to handle an unexpected influx: Last month, a local resident walked into the shelter looking to surrender what was initially described as about 150 rodents. ... “Turned out to be over 850,” said Dennison. “And it's been just an enormous undertaking.”

Each animal had to be catalogued and named and provided with a tank and bedding. Adult females were observed for potential pregnancies, while males needed to be neutered. (Mice beget mice rather quickly — gestation is around 21 days.) The staff, meanwhile, still needed to tend to its usual stable of cats, dogs, rabbits and horses. ... Shelters across New England quickly stepped up to take on some of the rodents, while others have already been adopted.


Todd Bookman/NHPR
Mice and rats can make for loving pets, according to shelter staff.

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