Adopt pet mice
Thinking about adopting mice from Woodgreen? Here’s everything you need to know before getting started.
Are mice the right pet for me?
Whether you’re new to mice or you’ve experienced the joy of owning them before, getting a new pet is always a big decision.
To learn more about caring for mice, visit our ‘Which small pets are right for me?’ page.
Read on to learn more about the needs of mice and our adoption process. This is your first step towards possibly meeting a new furry friend!
Here’s what mouse ownership involves
Preparing for mice
Thinking of adopting mice from Woodgreen? Before you apply, it’s worth taking some time to read through our ‘Caring for mice’ guide. It covers everything from diet and housing to behaviour and health — so you can feel confident you’re ready to give your mice the life they deserve.
What caring for mice looks like
Here’s what to factor in:
Lifespan
Lifespan
Mice live for around 1-2 years.
Monthly costs
Monthly costs
A trio of mice typically costs around £35 a month, including food, bedding and toys.
Veterinary care
Veterinary care
Common health problems include breathing issues, tumours and parasites.
Insurance
Insurance
Pet insurance is worth considering for mice. It won’t cover everything, but it can take the edge off unexpected treatment costs. Shop around to find a policy that works for you and your mice.
How to give your mice a great life
To adopt mice from Woodgreen, you need to be able to give them the space, company and care they need to thrive.
Accommodation
Although mice are very small, they’re super busy and energetic. They absolutely love to climb and explore their surroundings, forage for food and dig in their bedding. So the cage you choose will need lots of floor space for them to live their best life.
The ideal cage size for three or four mice
- 80cm wide by 50cm deep by 35cm high
- Bar spacing – 7-9mm (7mm is the safest option to prevent any escapees)
An 80cm x 50cm cage suitable for three or four mice, filled with toys, ropes, branches and an exercise wheel.
The ideal cage size for up to six mice
- 100cm wide by 50cm deep by 35cm high
- Bar spacing – 7-9mm (7mm is the safest option to prevent any escapees)
A 100cm x 56cm Barney cage suitable for up to six mice, filled with lots of ropes, branches, hammocks, hiding spaces.
Learn more about ideal mice accommodation.
Mouse companionship
Mice are very sociable and need the companionship of other mice. They’ll spend hours exploring, eating and sleeping together. If you find yourself with a lone mouse of any age, contact Woodgreen or your local rescue centre to help find your mouse some companions.
If you have any questions, our team can help.
Here’s what we’ll ask from you
To ensure every mouse goes to a safe, happy and suitable home, here’s what we need to see:
- Appropriate accommodation that meets at least the minimum size requirements (more space is always better!)
- Enrichment and setup in line with our care guide, to support natural behaviours and wellbeing.
- Companionship of the same species, if you’re not adopting a bonded trio or group from us.
- Photos of your setup, including tape measurements so we can confirm sizing.
- A willingness to work with us and take on any advice or small changes needed to meet our standards.
If you want advice on bonding at home, we can offer advice on bonding your mice at home via a free telephone consult with our Small Animal Behaviour and Training Specialist, so please get in touch.
Travel arrangements
You’ll need to arrange your own travel to our centre in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire – unfortunately, we’re not easily accessible by public transport.
What happens next
After you apply, we’ll give you a call within two working days. If we are unable to reach you, we will send you an email, so please check your junk mail as sometimes our emails end up there.
Frequently asked questions
View our full small pet adoption FAQs
Are mice the right pet for me?
Are mice the right pet for me?
Here are a few things to think about before you apply:
- Mice live for around 1-2 years.
- They need lots of space and enrichment.
- They need to live in trios or groups.
- A trio costs around £35 a month to care for.
Not sure if mice are the right pet for you? Our guide to choosing the right small pet species is a great place to start.
How much does it cost to adopt mice from Woodgreen?
How much does it cost to adopt mice from Woodgreen?
- Single mouse (to be mixed with owner’s mice) – £12.00
- Pair of mice (to be mixed with owner’s mouse/ mice) – £17.50
- Each additional mouse – £5.50
If you use our onsite mixing service, we ask for a donation of your choosing once the mix is successful, on top of the rehoming fee.
I’m looking for a friend for my mouse – can you help?
I’m looking for a friend for my mouse – can you help?
Mixing at home
If you’d like to handle the introductions yourself, our behaviour and training specialists can provide free expert guidance throughout the whole process. From choosing the right mixing method to knowing behaviours to watch for, and how to move forward if things go well – they’ll be with you every step of the way.
Book a call with one of our behavioural and training specialists.
Mixing at our centre in Godmanchester
If you’d prefer to leave it to us, our specialists will handle the introductions at our centre. Once your setup has been approved, we’ll add you to our waiting list and be in touch when we have a suitable match. On the day, you’ll need to bring your mouse/mice to us, and we’ll carry out a quick health check before getting started. You’ll be kept updated throughout the process. We may need more than one session to find the right match.
If mixing doesn’t work out, we’ll help you find another potential companion.
How long does the adoption process take?
How long does the adoption process take?
Once you’ve submitted your application, we aim to get back to you within two days – though it may be a little longer during busy periods.
From there, timelines can vary depending on your setup approval. If you’re using our onsite mixing service, the number of bonding sessions to find the right match will also be a factor.
It’s worth starting your application as soon as you’re ready to begin the process.
I've seen some mice on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
I've seen some mice on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
Once we’ve reviewed your application and approved your setup, we’ll talk to you about the mice we have available at that time. Because of this, your preferred mouse/mice when applying may not be available by the time your setup has been approved.
Can I reserve a specific mouse before my setup is approved?
Can I reserve a specific mouse before my setup is approved?
Unfortunately not. We can only let you reserve mice once your application has been reviewed and your setup approved. At that point, we’ll talk you through who we have available and you can choose from there.
Keep in mind that mice you have your eye on when you apply may have been rehomed by the time your setup is approved. So we’d encourage you to apply as soon as you’re ready to start the process.
Ready to adopt mice?
Once you feel ready to adopt, you can start your application.
If you don’t have everything in place just yet, that’s fine! You just need to show you’re willing to work with us to create the best home for your mice.