Showing mice/ letting pet mice free

Question
QUESTION: Hello Natasha.  I need your help again.  Even though there are only 5 mice my mom wants them... taken care of.  I have called all the petstores in my area and none of them can accept the mice.  
They are almost 2 weeks old and have opened their eyes.  I have to kill them painlessly. Or as painlessly as I can.  I really don't want to do this. they are cute and defenceless.  My mom says no so I have no choice.  I NEED THIS REPLY FAST.  (If I don't get it by 6:30 I'm downing time A LOT)

Also, Harry ran away.  I need to figure out how to catch him. please help.
thanks.


Sorry I'm being a bit mean.

ANSWER: Hi

Real quick, then, more later.  The best way is going to be to cut their heads off.  They are too old to smash in the bathtub and it's too hard to break their necks.  The only other option really is dry ice.

I'm sorry you have to do this.  Will answer more later.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK you may now take your time and explain.  I have to kill Bandit, my favorite.  I hate naming them, because then you get attached. But I couldn't resist.  I also have a brown and white one.  Earthquake.  Is he uncommon?

I think I'll kill them tomorrow.
I think dry ice is the best way so thats what I'll do.

ANSWER: Dear Jenn,

A brown and white mouse is a 'fancy' mouse.  Though not uncommon in the mouse breeding world, they are far less common than white/albinos or black mice that are usually found in pet stores.

Fancy mice who are very well formed and healthy can be used as show mice. Will that convince your mom?

squeaks,
Natasha




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Earthquake   QUESTION: Hmmm... that's very interesting about showing mice...
Is there a cash prize?  Earthquake is well formed and energetic... good signs right?  Well I'm hoping that there is a chance for Earthquake in show biz.  If not for him then for his brother, Bandit, whose picture I will include some other time.  This time I included a picture of Earthquake.  It might convince my mom, IF I can find a show near me.  If you know of one in central NJ then I would be THRILLED to know about it.  
Also, my mom decided to drop the killing idea.  She wants me to set them free instead. Is this safe?  I will have to do this as soon as they are weaned.

Too bad Earthquake got daddy's eyes, he would have been PERFECT with red eyes.  

Also, Harry ran away, how can find out if my cat ate him or not?  I put food out for Harry, but nothing.

Answer
Dear Jenn,

I'm afraid you are more likely to have to pay an entrance fee than win a cash prize in a mouse show.  People who show mice in this country pretty much do it as a fun hobby; there is no money in it.  If I wanted to make money from my mice I would probably do it through taking good photographs of the mice and finding a way to sell or win contests with them.  However, learning about mice and mouse shows and maybe a little about genetics, and doing what it takes to find a show and show the mouse, are all pretty educational things.  Maybe your mom could see it that way.  Earthquake is simply adorable.  All he needs is his own little cage with a little wheel and your promise to your mom to never, ever let your mice mate again!  

I live on the East Coast as well.  The Mouse Meets I used to go to, sponsored by

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Mouse

have turned into Rodent Fests-- and there is one coming up May 2nd in the Leesport Farmer's Market in PA.  The one I went to in October had rats showing but not mice.  It's very informal.  However, I strongly suggest you join this yahoo group and post your problem on the site.  You can also contact May (mayleen@gmail.com) to ask if she knows where you  might show your mice and whether she can help you to get them adopted out.  She may say she can only adopt/ adopt out breeder-bred fancy mice, rather than pet store mice, but you can see what advice she has.  She is in touch with mouse people on the East Coast more than I am.  I think she lives in Maryland.  You can mention my name.

Letting them go would be cruel.  They would be terrified and would have no idea how to survive.  Killing them is much kinder.

It's hard to figure out if your cat ate your mouse unless the mouse turns up.  Leaving out some creamy peanut butter or cheese in a corner and waiting for mouse tooth marks is about the only way.

Best of luck,

squeaks,

Natasha