Should wild mice be kept in captivity?

Question
Hello Natasha
I have read many posts in which people talk about catching and taming seemingly healthy wild mice to keep as pets. Your answers seem very helpful and encouraging. I sense that you want every mouse to have the best of care, but do you think catching and keeping wild mice is an ethical way of getting a pet? In my area it is illegal to keep any wild animal unless given permission to care for it by a wildlife rescue.

Answer
Dear Renee,   *enhanced answer*

That is a very good question.  When a questioner asks whether I think they ought to keep an adult mouse in captivity, I stress that the mouse will be much happier in the wild.  And if a person has a notion of keeping a wild mouse but isn't committed yet, I strongly suggest getting a tame rescued, pet store, or bred mouse. But when someone has already decided that they will keep a mouse they have, however, I have chosen to keep any criticism gentle and to help them out from where they are at.  If someone is simply going to catch a wild mouse and keep it, I want to give advice that will make its life happier rather than alienating the questioner, which would just mean they might disregard my advice altogether-- and the little thing would end up, for instance, without a wheel.

see:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2008/10/cruel-cage-wild-mouse.htm

If it comes to little orphans found in the wild, I am all for keeping them.  They will know nothing but being with their person and being gently handled and fed.  They will enjoy being pets as long as they continue to get attention-- and of course have all the other pet mouse necessities.  These tamed orphans would have no chance of surviving in the wild because they simply haven't learned how to survive and they are unafraid.  

It is certainly an issue I have wrestled with in answering certain questions.  Thank you for bringing it up.  I think others can learn from reading this post.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha