Mice and Voles

If you have found mice or voles that you believe need help please read this page and/or contact us so we can advise you. Never handle wild animals without gloves.*

If you have issues with rodents and are looking for ways to rid them of your home please click here.

Below is a list of reasons that the pup(s) would need to be assessed by a permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

Orphaned?

  • If a pup is covered in flies, fly eggs (they look like tiny grains of rice), fleas, ticks, etc. they are not being groomed by their parents and are in poor health.

  • Contact with a predator, falling from ceiling, blood present, nasal discharge, wound, etc.

  • Pups that have their eyes closed or are wobbly when walking are likely orphaned and looking for their mom. They may also have been disturbed by a predator or are in the process of being moved to another nest.

  • If a pup has been under human care or has been fed anything from a human caretaker a permitted wildlife rehabilitator needs to be contacted.

  • Pups should be warm and very wiggly. If they are cold and/or lethargic they need help.

  • If it is known with certainty that mom has been removed or killed contact us. Mother mice will have visible teats.

  • We will instruct you how to look for this and will need to confirm before the pups are removed.

  • To check skin turgor gently pinch the skin over the shoulder blades. If it stays tented or takes 2+ seconds to return to normal state the pup is dehydrated.

  • If the pup has an incredibly distended belly it likely needs medical attention. We will need to confirm this to ensure it’s not just a full milk belly.

  • Cats create tiny puncture wounds that seal over quickly and create pockets that become infected.

    Dogs crush when they bite and create internal injuries that may not present for a couple of days.

  • Babies are often found in parking lots after falling out of a nest that was made in someone’s vehicle. If you found a baby and the vehicle is still there please have the owner inspect it for a nest before driving away and call us for further instructions. If there is no vehicle where the baby is it will need to be brought to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

Don’t be a kidnapper!

Mice have multiple litters throughout the year, usually in inconvenient places for us. Mice are challenging to rehabilitate. Their best chance of survival is with their mom.

Did you find a mouse nest that you want moved? Gather the nesting material and babies and put them into a small, shallow box. Place it outside against the building as close to where the nest was as possible. Please place a warm water bottle or Hot Hands pack next to/under 1/2 of the nest so they stay warm. Make sure that mom comes and moves them. Contact us if you have any issues.

If you see a lone baby on the ground keep your distance after ensuring it is not orphaned or injured. Mom may be moving them to another nest. She will do this if she feels her babies are threatened in any way. It can take her a while to move them. If she sees you or an animal by the nest she will not retrieve it. Please give her space. Snap a picture and contact us while you wait.

Scroll down for more information.

Mouse or Vole?

The easiest way to tell mice and voles apart are the sizes of their eyes and ears. Voles have very small eyes and ears. Mice have relatively large eyes and ears.

Orphaned Meadow Vole transferred to us from a larger center since we are able to provide 24 hour feedings.

Orphaned Deer Mouse pup found in a camper after it was moved to the campground.

Reunification

If the babies do not meet any of the criteria above please try to reunite them with their mother.

Wildlife rehabilitators have limited resources and all animals do better being raised by their parents.

1. Ensure that the baby(ies) is not orphaned. Contact us if you’re unsure.

2. Take a quick picture of the baby.

3. Get a shallow box that is too deep for the baby to climb out of but not too deep for mom to get into.

4. Put the nesting material or a hand towel on the bottom and cover with the edges to snuggle in (no big/thick towels or blankets).

5. Put the box where you found the baby or as close to the nest as possible.

6. Put a warm rice sock or Hot Hands pack underneath half of the box.

7. Back far away from the box. If mom feels threatened, she will not retrieve the baby.  Threats include: you, pets, children, neighbors, construction/workers, tree trimming, lawn mowers, chainsaws, etc.  If it is not an option, she will likely return when it is quiet and take the babies to a new nest once activity has calmed down.

8. Mom will retrieve one baby at a time. This may take her several hours. Please have patience, especially if it’s a busy area.

9. If it’s been at least 3 hours, all of the babies are still there and you haven’t seen any sign of their mom contact us and please bring them inside.  

DO NOT GIVE ANY FOODS OR LIQUIDS TO THE BABIES!

Do not hold, cuddle or talk to the animals!

Containing the Animal(s)

If you believe that the animal needs help, please contact us so we can discuss the situation with you and walk you through safely containing it/them. Your safety should be your top priority. If it is safe for you to do so, please follow these steps to contain the animal(s):

1.) Contact us so we can discuss the situation with you.

2.) Get an appropriately sized box for the animal. You may also use a small plastic container as long as there are air holes poked in it before the animal is inside.

3.) Put a towel or thin fleece on the bottom of the box and another small piece of fabric for the animal to snuggle in.

4.) Babies: Wearing gloves, use the hand towel to gently pick up or scoop the pups into the box. Put as much nesting material in with them as possible. This will reduce stress and help keep them warm.

Young babies may try to latch onto your finger to nurse. They use their teeth. Older juveniles may bite. Please be cautious of their mouths.

Adults: Assume that it will try to bite you. Use a thicker towel/gloves when handling or gently push it into the box with the towel.

5.) Secure the lid well.

6.) Put a heating pad on low underneath 1/3-1/2 of the box so the animal can move if it gets too hot. Make sure that it is on the lowest setting to prevent burns. Warm water bottles, Hot Hands packs and warmed rice socks also work if you don’t have a heating pad. Do not place these items inside the box with the animal.

7.) Wash your hands.

8.) Bring the animal to us immediately. If this is not an option, please try to find it a ride. In the meantime, put the box in a warm, dark, quiet area of your home or garage that is away from pets, children and noise.

9.) DO NOT GIVE ANY FOODS OR LIQUIDS TO THE ANIMAL!

10.) DO NOT cuddle, hold or talk to the animal!

*Note: The information contained in this text regarding health and/or safety precautions may not be adequate for all individuals and/or situations. It is the reader’s obligation to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. We are not responsible for injuries occurred from you handling wild animals. Do so at your own risk. If you do not feel comfortable handling the animal do not handle it.