Dear Mr. Rosen,
I am writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 2 million members and supporters—including thousands in New York—about the mice who were recently photographed in your store's display case. We heard that you chose to call an exterminator to remove the mice and hope that you will consider a nonlethal way to keep these intelligent, social animals—who feel pain and fear just like cats and dogs do—outside your store in the future.
Mice are fastidiously clean animals, grooming themselves several times a day. In fact, mice are less likely than dogs or cats to catch and transmit parasites and viruses. They are highly social animals—they communicate with each other at high-frequency sounds that you can't hear without instrumentation, play together, wrestle, and love sleeping curled up together. They are also good parents, and female mice with litters will vigorously defend their nests and young.

Lethal methods such as glue traps, poisons, fumigants, and tracking powders are horribly cruel and toxic. They don't work and can actually make the problem worse. As animals are killed or removed from the area, more will move in to occupy the niche and use available resources. The temporary spike in the food supply will result in accelerated breeding—and more animals. You'll have a vicious killing cycle in which many animals will suffer and die needlessly. The only long-term way to control wildlife populations is by maintaining clean, sanitary conditions and plugging holes or cracks through which mice might enter a building.

If mice do get into your building again, please consider using the humane box-type traps that I will be sending via mail shortly. These traps are made from plastic and have a spring-release trap door at one end that closes behind the animal once he or she enters the trap. The trap can then be taken outside so that the animal can be released. When using these, be sure to check them every hour, because rodents have a high rate of metabolism and quickly become thirsty when they are frightened.

Mice are truly complex, unique, social individuals with the capacity to experience a wide range of emotions. They deserve our respect, compassion, and protection. We hope that you will use the humane mouse traps if any other mice decide to pay a visit to nibble on your famous treats. Please contact me at 757-962-8322 or TracyR@peta.org if you have any questions. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tracy Reiman

Executive Vice President