A California Animal Shelter Rescues Nearly 100 Mice and Hamsters in Major Hoarding Case

A California animal shelter is caring for nearly 100 small pets after uncovering one of its largest-ever hoarding cases.

In a press release on Thursday, Oct. 30, Pasadena Humane announced that it had taken in 31 mice and 63 hamsters, several of which were pregnant. The discovery marked one of the biggest small-animal rescues in the shelter’s recent history.

Kevin McManus, Pasadena Humane’s director of public relations and communications, said the animals were found in a home in Arcadia, California, after the owner reached out for help upon becoming “overwhelmed” by the growing number of rodents.

“The big difference between cat and dog hoarding versus something like this is that it can go unnoticed for a long time,” McManus explained. “Cats smell pretty bad and dogs make a lot of noise. With small critters, we would not have known. Thankfully, the person who had them reached out and realized they needed help, so we were able to take them all in.”

Upon arrival, all the animals received immediate veterinary care and new enclosures. Except for one hamster with a minor leg injury—expected to recover fully—all were in good health.

Staff at Pasadena Humane noted how critical it was to separate the animals quickly since mice and hamsters reproduce rapidly, which could have led to an even larger crisis within weeks.

Some of the rescued pets have already been adopted, McManus shared, and the team hopes many more will soon find permanent homes. “The more that people are willing and able to take them in, the better for us and for them,” he said.

To make room for the newcomers, the shelter temporarily transformed a cat room into space for the rodents. Pasadena Humane is now urging community members to consider adopting.

Chris Ramon, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane, added, “Thankfully, these critters are now safe and receiving the attention they need. Now, we’re hoping our community can open their hearts and homes to help us find loving placements for each and every one of them.”

Adoption fees are $10 for mice and $15 for hamsters, with a limit of four animals of the same sex per household. Staff members are taking extra precautions to accurately determine each animal’s sex to prevent future overpopulation.

Potential adopters can view available animals online at pasadenahumane.org.

This large-scale rescue underscores Pasadena Humane’s ongoing mission to ensure that even the smallest animals receive the same level of compassion, care, and second chances as their larger counterparts.