Wild mouse used to house

Question
I caught a wild mouse who has been living in my house for about 9 months. I believe he/she is alone as he accidentally got into a moving box left in the garage before the move. I have tried to trap him humanely but he would just trip the trap and get out. Last resort I purchased a kill trap but he managed to survive it. Now I have him in a trash can in my house (just caught him last night). I would prefer to release him to the wild but am afraid that would now be inhumane as he has lived in my house with no predator threat for almost a year. I would keep him in cage to avoid knowing that I put him in a position to suffer.


Answer
Dear Becky,

Most wild mice are unhappy if kept in a cage.  Chances are if he knew the choice he would prefer to take his chances outdoors, even with predators.  Take him to a wooded or meadowed area well over a mile from the house and leave him with a supply of bird or mouse seed.  He'll have a shorter but happier life this way.

squeaks,

Natasha