How to rehome?

by River Mon 27 Jun 2016, 12:52 pm

Now, first I should make it clear that this isn't something certain yet. Secondly, I need to make sure you know that rehoming them is not my idea. I love them, after all. But it may be for the best.
I am very against buying an animal unless you have a plan for it in mind and know you'll be able to keep it healthy. I had a plan, and I was very certain they would live out their lives here - I never expected this, trust me. I was as responsible as I could be with them.
However, I've had a rebound of anxiety and with them being a focus of it often, I've taken to avoiding them if possible. My mother, whom I currently live with, thinks this is starting to mean I am no longer fit to own them. She suggested rehoming, for both the mice and I's well being. And in a sense, I think she may be right - they deserve proper attention from people.
On top of this, I worry there will be a time in the near future where I won't be able to afford the vet bills. Don't get me wrong - when I first got them, I was fully able to care for their veterinary needs. However, I've had to pay a ton of doctor bills for myself this month, and from the looks of it, I'll be having expensive doctor visits for a few more years - meaning I've practically dwindled down the savings I had set aside for them. And of course, with my luck, I've had one girl who sneezes - and has for over a month, despite the vet visits - and one with eye problems, who also seems to squint occasionally.

And my mother believes I should rehome them. As I live under her roof, I can't argue to this, and I want the best possible care for them. I think this may be what is best for them. I know, this sounds horribly irresponsible - but believe me, I had thought ahead before getting them and I was certain they would be able to stay. And if it's what's best for them...then it needs to be done. I am very, very guilty. I have never had to rehome a pet before. This is the first time I've ever considered it, and if it hadn't been brought to my attention, I wouldn't have thought of it.

While we aren't sure if I will have to rehome them...we know it might just be the best turnout. They are innocent and should never have to pay for our personal money trouble.
How would we rehome them? How would we be sure they go to the best possible home that will be able to provide all they need? Is a shelter the only option for them? Where would I advertise them at? Is it possible to get updates on their well-being once they're adopted off?
Anyone with any sort of experience or idea, please help us out. We only want what is best for them.

I am very apologetic that I've had to make this post. Please understand that this really isn't an act of irresponsibility.

by CinnamonPearl Mon 27 Jun 2016, 1:03 pm

We completely understand. Rehoming animals are never ideal, but sometimes, if it's what's best for both the people and the animals, then there's no shame in it. I wish we lived closer; I would be more than willing to take one of your girls off your hands. It's a shame, but know that if you decide to rehome, we all support your decision.

Edit: Heehee, I just realized I didn't actually answer your question. So I'm adding it now!

It's best to try and find a proper home for your mice before taking them to an animal shelter. That way, you can make sure they'll be in good conditions more directly. An important thing to remember is never to give them away for free. If you give them up for free, some mean snake person will come along and plop them in with a python. Charge somewhere between $5-10 to ensure they're going to good people. Posting an ad on craigslist can help, but it doesn't always work. If someone offers to take them, ask them questions. Ask to see pictures of the cage they'll be kept in, what they'll be fed, how they'll be played with. Ask about the new owner's experience with rodents or mice and try to find holes in their knowledge. If they plan to add your girls to a colony, ask if they know about introduction procedures. Make sure there are no boys in that colony. Ask what other pets they have, and for safety, try to avoid people who have carnivorous reptiles. Just ask all the questions you can, and make sure that the mice won't be in the care of a child under 12.

Of course, you may not find anyone, so the next best thing is an animal shelter or rescue group. Rescue groups that specialize in small animals or pocket pets are the best, because they're the most likely to know how to care for mice properly. When you go to an animal shelter, check out their other pocket pets to see if they're being cared for properly and that there are no harmful substances in their cages. Ask questions about the adoption procedure, and especially ask about how they ensure any adopted mice won't become feeders. Most shelters will take caution for reptile owners. And whatever you do, don't bring them to a pet store to get adopted out. Pet stores like Petco and Petsmart who are adopting out animals will often give them away for free, and reptile owners will leap at the opportunity to get a couple of free feeders.

Best of luck!

by CAPSLOCK Mon 27 Jun 2016, 4:08 pm

You can also check with your vet to see if they know anyone who might be a willing home.

by Peachy Mon 27 Jun 2016, 4:29 pm

How unfortunate! Sad

I know it can be daunting to trust strangers to take good care of your pets, so I hope you'll be able to find something you're comfortable with.

Would someone you know be an option? I rehomed the mice from my litters with my sister and a family I used to nanny for, so staying in contact (and even visiting/mouse sitting!) was possible. If you find someone on Craigslist, you could ask how they feel about keeping in contact, too. I'd also stress to potential adopters (or the shelter) that the girls may need vet care and make sure they can provide that.

by Brynne Mon 27 Jun 2016, 8:57 pm

Look on petfinder .com to see which small, private rescue groups foster other small animals like hamsters, rats, guinea pigs in your area. E-mail them and ask for their advice.

by scaredymouse Mon 27 Jun 2016, 9:15 pm

Check your inbox, I'm going to PM you shortly.

I can only imagine what a struggle this has been for you. Often times animals are our lighthouses that bring light into the dark. Other times, the responsibility overwhelms. I'm very sorry that you are in this situation.

by DVirginiana Tue 28 Jun 2016, 3:47 am

Sorry you are in this situation. As has been said, a $5-$10 adoption fee and open-ended care questions will typically weed out people who want feeders or who simply don't care about mice as more than throwaway pets. If you can't find any rescues that take rodents specifically, you can try those that take birds, ferrets or things like pygmy goats. They will sometimes consider other animals in urgent situations, especially if their caging/equipment can come with them.

I do kind of want to say that refusing to adopt to anyone who happens to have a carnivorous reptile isn't really necessary... No one looking for feeders would go through the trouble of answering care questions and paying the adoption fee. I only mention this because many dedicated non-traditional pet owners have a reptile or two among their pet family (myself included... more than one or two actually).
It seems like you may have a time sensitive situation, and it's always nervewracking to rehome a pet, so I wanted to add my two cents on that as it would be a shame to miss out on any good home.

Regardless of what your adoption criteria are, I have a lot of experience with what people looking for feeders will do/say from working in a pet store as well as being very active in multiple reptile communities. If you have any applications that you'd like a second opinion on I'd be happy to help in whatever way possible. Best of luck to you and your mice.

by CinnamonPearl Tue 28 Jun 2016, 10:31 am

Sorry Dvirginiana! I didn't mean any offense by the suggestion. I just suggested it for safety concerns only.

by CallaLily Tue 28 Jun 2016, 11:05 am

DVirginiana wrote:
I do kind of want to say that refusing to adopt to anyone who happens to have a carnivorous reptile isn't really necessary... No one looking for feeders would go through the trouble of answering care questions and paying the adoption fee.

I agree. The adoption fee alone would weed out anyone just looking for feeders. Smile

by River Tue 28 Jun 2016, 10:12 pm

An update on this: I've been put back onto medication.
BUT.
If it doesn't work, it's been confirmed that if it doesn't help, I won't be able to have so much responsibility about much. This includes the girls, since they were something I looked over without any assistance.
If anyone knows any rescues or responsible adopters near the Tampa, Florida area, please PM me. I hope for the best, but I want to be prepared.

by Rodents rock! Tue 28 Jun 2016, 10:17 pm

Wishing you the best.

by MouseLover Wed 29 Jun 2016, 8:28 am

Good luck, hope you feel better! Anxiety sucks Thumbs Down

by DVirginiana Fri 01 Jul 2016, 2:00 am

Best of luck with the new meds. I went through over a year of juggling different meds for psychological issues before finding something that allowed me to be functional, so I know first hand that can be a really rough process.

Cinnamonpearl; don't worry, no offense taken! There's definitely plenty of reasons to be cautious rehoming any animal, but mice especially.

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