Partnering Saves Lives

(Eliza and Betsy help with the mouse transport)

Recently Dakin staff helped people who had found themselves overwhelmed with pet mice (not separated by gender) who had produced several litters.  More than 30 mice – many of whom were pregnant females – needed rehoming.

According to Dakin’s Director of Operations Karina King, “When we accept large numbers like that, we have to determine if we have appropriate housing for them all, if we have time to care for them every day, plus other considerations.”  She noted that intakes of this sort happen about three or four times a year at Dakin.

Thankfully, we have partnerships with many regional shelters, and Karina reached out to see who could take some of the mice at their locations.  A plan was mapped out:

The Connecticut Humane Society took:
* 4 mice, plus a litter that was born during transport

The Monadnock Humane Society (in New Hampshire) accepted:
* 4 mice
* 4 birds
* 3 guinea pigs

The New Hampshire SPCA agreed to:
* Take 4 mice
* Send 6 hamsters to Dakin (because they had too many hamsters)

The MSPCA at Nevins Farms (in Massachusetts) decided to:
* Take 6 mice
* Take 3 canaries
* Take 6 rats
* Send 6 rabbits to Dakin (because they had too many rabbits)

A team of dedicated volunteers jumped in their cars and brought the mice where they needed to go, in some cases returning with animals we agreed to take.

Relationships like these save lives.  Valuable partnerships with several organizations mean that pets get a better chance for adoption.  And it works both ways, as we often receive pets from them when they need our help.

Pet overpopulation in New England doesn’t affect dogs and cats as much as “smalls,” (non-dog and non-cat animals).  For example, in 2019, Dakin took in 1,049 smalls, an increase of 58% over 2015 when we welcomed 659.  “We’re serving the homeless animals in our community,” said Karina, “and right now, that’s who they are.”

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