Mice are nice, says Wood Green animal shelter at its summer open day (From Haringey Independent)

Mice are nice, says Wood Green animal shelter at its summer open day

6:33pm Saturday 18th July 2009

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AFTER years of bad press, mice are now the next big thing to keep as pets, according to Wood Green Animal Shelters.

The creatures - often seen as more furry foe than furry friend - make ideal pets for children because they enjoy being held and, most importantly, are low maintenance.

Unlike other pets that require routine vaccinations, large play areas and expensive food - mice are happy with plastic tubes, paper bedding and old flower pots.

Kate Wickins, the charity's London manager, said: "Parents often go for guinea pigs or rabbits but they both require really need a lot of space. There's nothing worse than seeing an animal trapped in a small box and nowhere to run around.

"It may take a while to come around to them but mice make lovely first pets. They love being held and, despite what people might think, do not carry any diseases."

But as anyone who's ever been plagued by wild mice will know, you can never have just one.

Pet mice are best kept in pairs - although boys must come the same litter or they will end up fighting.

The revelation came as the sanctuary for abandoned pets and stray animals, in Lordship Lane, held a community open day this afternoon.

The charity dished out tips to pet owners on responsible ownership to keep their pets healthy and happy.

It also wanted to raise awareness of a campaign to tackle a troubling numbers of dumped cats in Haringey and surrounding areas.

The shelter has been overwhelmed by an influx of stray cats and kittens over the last few months which has stretched its resources to the limit.

Ms Wickins explained that many owners failed to get their cats neutered and resorted to chucking them out on the streets after struggling to cope when they fell pregnant with a full litter.

The pet-loving manager said: "The message is really prevention rather than cure but if owners can't cope, we're asking them to do the responsible thing and drop them in to the centre because we will be able to find them a home.

"We are here to offer advice to all pet owners and, if we aren't able to help, we will find someone who can."

The shelter currently houses several abandned cats and offers a donation-based veterinary facility for the local community.

It reopened in January 2008 after a redevelopment which includes a pet hospital, reception and consulting rooms.

Tucked away behind the homely building is a cat sanctuary, complete with adventure playground, where the felines wait to be adopted by a new and loving family.

It was set up in Wood Green in 1924 by Louisa Snow to help house abandoned and injured animals on London's streets following the first world war.

For more information or advice from the Wood Green Animal Shelter or to give an abandoned pet a proper home, call 08701 90 44 40 or visit www.woodgreen.org.uk

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