Selecting your pet
You may have friends who keep mice and so you may be able to get your pets from them. Otherwise go to a pet shop and choose them. Make sure females have not been in a cage with a male for at least three weeks. Never keep both males and females in the same cage, as they breed rapidly. You would then find it difficult to get rid of all their young.

It is best to keep two female mice as they like the company of their own kind. You should choose young animals: mice about four weeks old, rats not more than six weeks. Pick the animals with bright eyes and shiny coats. Do not take any that are sneezing or have runny noses. Make sure that the droppings in their cage are dark-coloured and firm; this also is a sign of good health.