Need Some Advice from You Guys!!

by CinnamonPearl Tue 13 Dec 2016, 3:22 pm

Okay. So I've been struggling with this dilemma for a little while now, but after weeks if not coming to a final decision, I thought it was time I asked you guys for advice!

So here's the story. When I was making preparations to get more mice, I sent out emails to three breeders and decided to start asking a nearby shelter about their available female mice because I expected all the breeders to fall through. I surprisingly got into contact with one breeder (I believe I mentioned this on the forum before), so I started making plans with him, but when it turned out he lived too far away and had questionable morals, I dropped ties with him and started to further my discussions with the animal shelter about adopting two of their female mice who needed a home. I submitted an adoption application and everything, and things were progressing smoothly but nothing was confirmed. Everything seemed to be fine!

But THEN I got contacted back by another breeder! And she was absolutely willing to give me three of her infertile does! And I was so excited because FINALLY I CAN GET PEDIGREE MICE!!!! So I started discussing things further with her, and by this point we've set a date to meet and my mom has agreed to take me out to Pennsylvania to pick up the mice! But I kept discussing with the shelter too because I am very much used to breeders suddenly dropping off the face of the earth, and I wanted to have another option if things fell through with her. But now things have accelerated too far with both parties and they are both readily expecting me to take some mice to the point that the animal shelter is asking me when I'm coming to pick up the girls, and.....

Okay the thing is. What I really, REALLY, REALLY want to do is take two pedigree girls from the breeder, adopt the shelter mice, and then join the colonies. I've been thinking about this heavily for a few days now, and for the most part, I believe things can work. It's a complete nonissue for me to get all these mice; I really don't mind traveling at all. And workload will be a nonissue too. My plan right now is, after quarantine, to introduce them and have all four girls live in a 15 gallon tank that I'll build. Keeping them in one of my 20gal tanks was a little too much, but a 15 gallon is only 4" longer than a 10gal, and since I know for certain I can handle two 10gal tanks without issue, I know a 10gal and a 15gal would be no problem. As for college, I still have to do exact calculations to make sure I can build the custom tank that'll fit Henry and all four girls, but considering I don't need to add that much more space to it, I can't imagine it being an issue (though all bets are off if it turns out I can't make the custom tank work). So everything looks great, right?

But there's just one problem with this plan. What if these two groups of girls don't get along? Because while I can handle a 10 and a 15, three tanks is out of the question. I know myself well enough to know that much. So now this plan becomes a gamble, because if these girls cannot live together? I'll have no choice but to return the shelter girls or figure out some alternative plan. But getting both groups of girls and then having them not get along is the absolute worst case scenario.

What do you guys think? I really, really, REALLY want to adopt the shelter girls, and the shelter is pretty much counting on me to adopt at this point. But I also cannot give up on these pedigree girls because this may be the only chance I'll ever have to get real show mice! But I also want to adopt really badly. I really want to help out and I really want the show mice. I want to do both so badly, but... do you guys think it can work? What are the chances that they don't get along so badly that they have to be permanently separated?

by Bthny Tue 13 Dec 2016, 8:32 pm

My understanding is that girls usually get along, and the risk of major problems is pretty rare. Is it possible for you to ask the breeder about how those girls get along with other mice?

Another thought-- from my experience in an animal shelter, it's pretty typical for people to express interest in pets (to the point where they've actually gone through the application process) and change their mind before taking the animal home. I wouldn't be too concerned about backing out if you want to. Alternatively, I'd tell the shelter that you want to adopt their mice but are planning on having a larger colony, and ask what the options/process for returning them is if the colony doesn't work out. If it's a good shelter, they should understand.

by CinnamonPearl Tue 13 Dec 2016, 9:02 pm

It's true, I could return them. I would just be so heartbroken over it. I hate rehoming pets. u.u

by scaredymouse Tue 13 Dec 2016, 10:40 pm

You are under no obligation to take any of these mice. I understand you may *want all of them, but since you asked for opinions, I wouldn't get both because you can't provide for them if things don't work out. It's not fair to the mice if they have to get rehomed. That said, female mice usually get along but as you know, sometimes they don't.

You could also just take the breeders mice and spend some time getting to know them. Tell the rescue that things have changed and you can't take their mice right now but that you would check back. Then when you know the personalities of your new mice, you can better assess whether or not they seem like they would welcome some friends. Maybe someone else will adopt the other mice in the meantime, that's great too.

by CallaLily Wed 14 Dec 2016, 8:16 am

I think Scaredy is right. I know it's always said to be rare for females to not get along but I feel like it's not as unheard of as most info pages make it sound. I think you've read about my troubles between girls and I've seen it come up a lot in other mouse groups too. Not saying it's the most likely scenario, but it does happen. Always good to be prepared, just in case.

by CinnamonPearl Wed 14 Dec 2016, 5:15 pm

Alright, I think I've decided. I'm gonna tell the shelter no. I do wanna try it, but I'm just too stressed out right now to take on the challenge. If plans with the breeder fall through, or if she doesn't get back to me by the end of the month, I'll go to the shelter. But for now I'll tell them no just so they don't hold those mice for me.

by scaredymouse Thu 15 Dec 2016, 1:53 am

if it's meant to be, fate will lead you back to them.

by CinnamonPearl Thu 15 Dec 2016, 3:55 pm

Well I emailed the shelter guy and told him I have to back out for now. He didn't take it very well, unfortunately. >.< But there's nothing I can do about that now.

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