wild vole & store mouse

Question
One more question...
I am caring for an orphaned baby vole. Right now I am just helping her get stronger, and she is improving every day. I am coming to terms with fact that by the time she is strong enough to be set free she will be too tame to survive in the wild. I don't want her to be lonely, so I am wondering, do you think a wild vole could be housemates with a pet store mouse? Also, will I ever be able to tell if she has something that could make the other mouse sick? Is there a recommended quarantine period? (I know I always quarantine new rats for a week)

Answer
Dear Renee,

Well at least I will get three excellent ratings for time from you, since I just happen to be on the site as you pose these questions!

I answered some vole questions a while back at this post:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2008/8/Pictures-Brownie-VOLE.htm

and I used this quote I found on the Internet:

"I, too, have a pet vole. I rescued him from a torrential rainstorm at my home in Northern Florida. He lives in with my gerbil and my wild field mouse and they are a happy family. The vole is the cutest of three and has the most wonderful personality! PLEASE BE KIND TO VOLES - THEY ARE VERY VERY SMART! They are kind of like little dogs and can be trained to do things. My vole likes to sit on my shoulder and cuddle. He even takes care of my field mouse, who is a baby. They DO make wonderful pets and are no more harmful to yards than any other wild creature. After all, you probably built your house on top of what WAS their homeland. FYI to all vole-owners: they LOVE warm baths, pumpkins seeds and blueberries! Any other vole-owners, please contact me to make some vole-friends! :)
repralexi@gmail.com"

I don't know if the email address still works, but it's worth a try to find an experienced vole owner who obviously loves the things.  

In any case, I would think adding a very small (3-4 weeks) pet mouse to the cage has a high chance of success.  The way to make them less aware that their scents are different:  Put a tiny smidge of real vanilla extract at the base of their tails and under their chins.  This way they will smell alike and won't be as prone to fighting.

Keep in mind that the vole will only live 3-6 months and then you will need to provide another mousie companion for the pet mouse.  

Have fun!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha