Should I keep rescued mouse?

Question
I found a brown mouse in the snow, it was just a baby and hardly alive, i brought her home, heated her up and made her up a plastic tub to stay in with food ,water, sawdust,bedding, she has toys and tubes and get treats too. Anyway it snowed for the next 7 weeks so i could not put her back outside, i have had her 4 months now as its still so cold outside, can i release her when the weather gets warmer or is she a pet now, i will keep her if she cant survive outside now that i have looked after her, the whole family love her, what is the best thing for me to do for the benefit of my mouse, i am worried if i put her out that she will die, please help.

Answer
Dear June.


It depends on the mouse's personality. Does she like to be held? Or does she run and jump and maybe even bite? Does she spend her time in the cage trying to get out? Or does she play on the toys and run in the wheel?

If she is friendly and seems happy, keep her as a pet. She is too domesticated to be in the wild. However if she hates being in a cage and doesn't like to be held, she should be given the chance to be happy outdoors. But you should wait until it is warmer. She should probably wait till it is over 50 degrees at night, because she is used to the temperature of the house. If you let her go, find a spot in the woods or a meadow where she can find food and shelter. And leave her some food, and, if it isn't a problem, leave her a little cardboard box with her bedding in it (you could pick up the box in a month-- she won't stay in it).

If she is happy as a pet, she will be a wonderful pet, and wild mice live longer than standard pet mice. In that case have fun with her!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha