
If you're looking to buy mice, there are several options available to you. You can either buy them online, from a pet store, or from a breeder. Adopting a mouse is also an option, with websites like Petfinder and Adopt-A-Pet featuring adoptable animals housed in shelters or rescue groups. If you're looking to buy a mouse as a pet, it's recommended to visit your potential new pet in person to ensure they are healthy and have been housed in sanitary conditions. The cost of a pet mouse varies depending on whether you adopt or buy, and whether you choose to buy online or in-store. Online prices can be higher once shipping costs are factored in, whereas adoption fees are usually between $10-$15. In-store, the average price of a fancy mouse is less than $10 per mouse.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type of Mice | Fancy mice, frozen mice |
Purpose | Pets, food for snakes or other exotic animals |
Price | $10-$15 (adoption fee), $25 (online), $10 (in-store), $50 (online & pick up in-store) |
Where to Buy | Petco, PetSmart, local pet stores, online retailers, breeders, shelters, and rescues |
Online retailers
If you're looking to purchase mice online, there are several retailers that can cater to your needs, depending on the type of mice you are after.
Frozen Mice
If you are looking for frozen mice, there are several online retailers that offer a range of sizes, from pinkies to adults. RodentPro.com provides frozen feeder mice for snakes and other exotic pets. They offer a full line of frozen mice, including hairless peach fuzzy mice, frozen dark mice, and frozen small mice. They also have multiple production facilities to ensure an uninterrupted supply. MiceDirect.com is another online retailer that offers frozen mice, with prices starting at $74.97 USD.
Live Mice
For live mice, Petco.com offers Mus musculus mice for $50 or more when you buy online and pick up in-store. They provide information on mouse care, diet, and housing, and also offer rewards for purchases.
Laboratory Mice
If you are looking for laboratory mice for biomedical and drug discovery research, The Jackson Laboratory provides JAX® Mice, which are well-characterized and popular mouse models available in the quantities required.
The Secret Life of Mice: Understanding Their Lifespan in Captivity
You may want to see also
Pet stores
Mice sold in pet stores may not be as well-socialised as those hand-raised by breeders, so this is something to keep in mind, especially if you are buying for a child. It is recommended to ask about a health guarantee before purchasing. Additionally, when buying from a pet store, you usually have the option to see the mouse in person and assess its health.
Some pet stores only sell supplies and food, not live animals, so it is worth contacting stores in your area to enquire about the availability of pet mice. Local pet shops can be a good option, and it is worth visiting or calling to determine if they are a good choice.
The Many Shades of Mice: Exploring the Colorful World of Computer Navigation
You may want to see also
Breeders
If you're looking to buy a pet mouse, one option is to purchase from a breeder. Breeders are individuals or groups who specialise in producing specific types of mice with particular characteristics, such as colour, size, or temperament. They may breed mice for showing in competitions, or simply to sell as pets.
Advantages of Buying from a Breeder
One advantage of buying from a breeder is having more options when it comes to the type of mouse you want. Breeders often produce a variety of mice with different characteristics, so you can find one that suits your preferences. Additionally, responsible breeders will spend time socialising baby mice from an early age, making them better suited as pets. This can be especially important if you're buying a mouse for a child.
Finding a Breeder
Finding a mouse breeder can be more challenging than locating a pet store that sells mice. They may not be easily accessible in your local area, and you may need to do some research to find one nearby. Online resources, such as the Fancy Mouse Breeder's Association, can be helpful in locating breeders by state or region.
Health and Socialisation
When purchasing from a breeder, it's important to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the animals. Look for a breeder who prioritises the health of their mice and places them in good homes. If possible, visit the breeder in person to ensure the mice are kept in sanitary conditions and appear healthy. Socialisation is also key; mice that have been handled and socialised from an early age are more likely to be tame and comfortable around people.
Adopting from a Breeder
In some cases, breeders may also have mice available for adoption. This could be due to various reasons, such as retiring breeding mice from their program or having mice in need of rehoming. Adopting a mouse from a breeder can be a great way to provide a home for an older mouse or one that is no longer able to breed.
Costs
The cost of purchasing a mouse from a breeder can vary depending on the type of mouse and the specific breeder. In general, buying from a breeder may be more expensive than purchasing from a pet store, but it offers the advantage of potentially finding a mouse with specific characteristics and a socialised temperament.
Online Breeders
Some breeders offer online sales and shipping services, but this comes with the drawback of not being able to see the mouse or its living conditions in person before purchase. Shipping costs can also add up, so be sure to factor those into your decision-making process.
Training a Mouse: The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Your Tiny Companion
You may want to see also
Animal shelters
If you're looking to buy a pet mouse, you may be able to find one at your local animal shelter. Adopting a mouse from a shelter is a great option as it gives a home to a mouse in need. Mice are often abandoned by their owners or bred irresponsibly, so there is no shortage of them in shelters.
Most people know they can adopt dogs and cats from shelters, but other pets, including mice, can also be found in shelters and rescues. If you choose to adopt a mouse, you should look for a rescue group that prioritises the health of the animals and places them in good homes.
Websites like Petfinder and Adopt-A-Pet are great resources for finding adoptable mice in your area. You can search for adoptable animals within a certain range of your zip code and find shelters or rescues. Another rescue group is Ratical Rodent Rescue, a private rescue group located in California that cares for all types of rodents, including mice. To adopt from this group, you'll need to fill out an application and sign an adoption contract.
The adoption fee for mice is typically between $10 and $15. When adopting a mouse, it's important to visit your potential new pet in person to ensure they are healthy and housed in sanitary conditions. It's also a good idea to establish a relationship with an exotic animal veterinarian before bringing your new pet home and to have the right enclosure and diet prepared.
Is the Mouse Deer the Ultimate Exotic Pet?
You may want to see also
Exotic animal veterinarian
If you're looking to buy mice, there are several options available to you. You can choose to buy from a breeder, pet store, or online retailer, or you may even want to consider adopting. Here's a more detailed look at each of these options:
Adopting a Mouse
Most people know about adopting dogs and cats, but mice can also be adopted from shelters and rescue groups. Adopting is a great way to provide a home for a mouse in need. Websites like Petfinder and Adopt-A-Pet list adoptable animals, including mice, from shelters and rescue groups in your area. You can also look for exotic animal or rodent-specific rescue groups, such as Ratical Rodent Rescue in California. Adoption fees are typically affordable, usually ranging from $10 to $15.
Buying from a Breeder
One advantage of buying from a breeder is having more options, and responsible breeders will socialize the baby mice from an early on to make them better pets. The Fancy Mouse Breeder's Association and the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association offer lists of breeders by state, and some breeders may offer online sales and shipping. However, it can be harder to find a mouse breeder than a pet store that sells mice.
Buying from a Pet Store
Pet stores are one of the most common and accessible places to buy pet mice. Large chains like PetSmart and Petco sell pet mice at many of their locations, though availability may vary. Mice sold in pet stores may not be as well-socialized as those hand-raised by a breeder, so it's something to keep in mind if you're buying for a child. The cost of pet mice at these stores is usually less than $10 per mouse.
Buying Online
Online retailers like Mammal Pets offer a variety of small mammal pets for sale, including mice, and will ship them to your home. However, the downside of buying online is that you can't see the mouse or its living conditions beforehand, and you may end up paying more due to shipping costs. It's also important to ensure that you're purchasing an actual pet mouse and not a feeder mouse, which are not bred as pets and are more challenging to tame.
Once you've brought your new pet mouse home, it's important to establish a relationship with an exotic animal veterinarian. They can provide regular check-ups and help you address any health concerns that may arise. This is especially crucial if the pet store or breeder offers a time-limited health guarantee, as you'll want to ensure your mouse is in good health.
Male Mice: Cohabitation Compatibility
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You can buy mice as pets from local pet stores, such as Petco and PetSmart, or online retailers such as Petfinder, Ratical Rodent Rescue, and Adopt-A-Pet.
Yes, responsible breeders will spend time socializing the baby mice from an early age to make them better pets. You will also have more options when buying from a breeder.
Yes, you can adopt a pet mouse from shelters and rescue groups such as Ratical Rodent Rescue. Most rescue groups and shelters charge a small adoption fee, typically $10-$15.
When buying a pet mouse, it is important to ensure that the mouse is healthy and has been housed in sanitary conditions. It is also important to establish a relationship with an exotic animal veterinarian before bringing your new pet home.
The cost of pet mice can vary depending on the source. Local pet stores such as PetSmart and Petco sell fancy mice for an average of less than $10 per mouse. Online retailers may charge more, with the mouse itself costing around $25 plus additional shipping costs.