Lockdown Kittens Turned Our Mouse-Free Home Into a Rodent Playground

During the pandemic, a family welcomed two tabby kittens, Mimi and Ruben, into their home near woods in the UK. The house had been blissfully free of mice, but the kittens soon began hunting wood mice outdoors and bringing them inside alive. The cats would release their prey into the house, then guard gaps under doors and skirting boards with odd 'prittering' sounds. This forced the humans to chase mice with Tupperware containers and release them back into the woods, all while locking the cats inside to prevent them from seeing the release spot. Some mice inevitably escaped into the house's structure, creating an ongoing nuisance. The story highlights the unintended consequences of pet ownership and the surprising hunting instincts of domestic cats. It serves as a cautionary tale for those considering kittens in rural areas.