An overwhelmed man recently arrived at a New Hampshire animal shelter seeking to surrender 150 mice, but what unfolded next was beyond anyone's expectations. The man, it turned out, had not just 150 mice but 150 containers filled with mice, leading to a breeding crisis that has left the shelter grappling with a significant challenge.
Lisa Dennison, the executive director of the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, shared that the situation quickly escalated due to the rapid breeding of the mice. The man initially brought 73 mice in three large plastic tubs to the shelter, expressing his distress over the sheer number of mice he possessed. As the week progressed, the shelter staff made multiple trips to the man's home, retrieving additional tubs of mice, ultimately accumulating close to 1,000 mice.
The living conditions of the mice were described as deplorable, with the animals residing in unclean plastic tubs that had been neglected for a considerable period. Savannah Alcero, the director of animal and veterinary services at the SPCA, emphasized the alarming reproductive rate of mice, with a gestation period of approximately 20 days, exacerbating the breeding dilemma.
Efforts are underway to address the crisis, with the shelter team segregating male and female mice to prevent further breeding. Despite the challenges, 18 mice have already found new homes, and numerous others have been transferred to regional welfare organizations for care.
Individuals like Elisha Murray have stepped up to adopt some of the mice, showcasing compassion and willingness to assist in the midst of the crisis. Murray, who adopted four female mice, expressed her readiness to help, citing her experience in caring for small rodents as pets.
As the shelter continues its efforts to manage the influx of mice, Dennison has issued a plea to the public for support in finding permanent homes for the animals. Many of the mice have been given endearing names, reflecting the unique personalities of each, and the shelter remains committed to ensuring their well-being and preventing further breeding.
With the situation evolving rapidly, the New Hampshire animal shelter remains dedicated to addressing the breeding problem and securing positive outcomes for the mice in need of care and new homes.
