Adoptathon Follows Surrender of More Than 500 Mice from Essex County Home
METHUEN, Mass., Sept. 6, 2023 – The MSPCA at Nevins Farm is waiving adoption fees for mice this weekend—Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10—following a massive surrender of more than 500 mice from a single home in Essex County.
“We have never seen a situation like this before,” said MSPCA-Angell Assistant Director of Adoption Centers and Programs, Bryn Rogers. “We are glad the original caregiver is getting assistance and are hopeful we never see something like this again.”
“We are also very grateful for the extremely quick support we received from other New England shelters, which decreased the number of mice in our care to a more manageable number,” she added, noting that the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Dakin Humane Society, New Hampshire SPCA, Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, and Midcoast Humane took in some of the recently surrendered mice.
Rogers also expressed appreciation for Andover Animal Control for helping to coordinate the surrender.
Calling All Adopters!
“Now, we’re hoping we can do the impossible—find homes for 250 mice in just two days,” Rogers explained. “Our volunteers and staff have rightly started calling this the Mouse-pocalypse adoption event!”
During the adoptathon, the typical $15 fee for mouse adoptions will be waived. Nevins Farm will also be providing starter kits to the first 75 adopters who take home a mouse or pair of mice. The kits—valued at $60 —include a tank to house the mice, bedding, bottles, bowls, and huts.
“The mice are surprisingly all very unique in their coat patterns and personalities,” Rogers added.
Clinic veterinarians at Nevins Farm also neutered more than two dozen of the surrendered male mice, which, according to Rogers, is not standard practice, but allowed the organization to adopt mice out in pairs, which staff hope will help attract more adopters.
More information about the adoptathon may be found at mspca.org/feewaived.
