A injured wild baby mouse

Question
QUESTION:  Hi there,
you seem perfect for me! Well, yesterday my cat found a mouse nest and
brought in 3 mice.
one of them was dead, one was perfectly fine, and the other could barely walk
because his leg was broken. Mind you- these are all babies, they have fur and
they're eyes are open but they are the size of a quarter. I have been taking
pretty good care of the two, I let the perfectly fine one go though because he
was fine. The broken leg one I have a tank for him with wood chips and a big
corner is filled with toilet paper.  He has seeds and bread that was soaked in
water. He's been eating a lot and drinking a ton. I'm going to get him mouse
food also. Is there any reason why I can't? Because I really would like too. He's
very calm and I've fallen in love with him already! Don't worry,- I've only held
him twice and I'm twelve but very good with animals. I have three dogs, one
cat, two birds, 4 hermit crabs, two birds, a fish, and for right now the mouse
too. We have a fairly big house and we treat our animals like gods! They're all
spoiled! But back to mice.... what is the reason I can't keep him?
Please email me back!!!!
         Thanks, Natalie
ANSWER: Hello!

Sounds like the mice you found were just about three weeks old - which is good news for the injured baby, because now he just may have a chance to make it!

From the sound of it you've been taking care of him just fine! But the thing with wild mice is that they're just as different from pet mice as wolves are from dogs. Wild mice get very stressed having to live in a confined area - even a young mouse remembers its natural habitat and behaviour. Pet mice have been bred for a very long time, hence they make such terrific pets! I would advise you to take care of the young one until his leg has healed, and then releasing him to the wild.

You should of course consider checking your local pet store for mice, there's nothing quite like them! :-) Good luck!

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

QUESTION:  Thanks so much,
His leg is okay now I think... and he's doing GREAT!!!!! But I don't want my cat
to get him agian and kill him. He still is so young, also. How should I let him
go? And should I now? He's been really active now and what you said about
them getting stressed not having enough room, and he's been running
around and around a lot. I'm really pround that when I found him I thought he
was a gonner- not moving just breathing, and now he's running about in his
cage. Please email me back again. You were such a great help!
         Thanks,
         Natalie

Answer
Hi!

If his leg seems to be completely healed and he's able to eat on his own, it's time for him to return to the wild. It's best to release him somewhere a bit further away from human settlements, such as near a forest, field or the like. Try to locate a place that wouldn't be near a road!

Best of luck to the little feller!