A man’s hilarious attempt to catch a mouse brought in by his cat left the internet in stitches, and his wife told Newsweek how she was powerless to help him because she was laughing so much.
In a video that quickly went viral, amassing 164,500 likes and 1.9 million views, the man did his best to remove the mouse from a curtain pole. However, in an unexpected twist, the mouse scurried onto his back, much to the family’s amusement.
“We were incapacitated with laughter so we were useless in helping him, so I just pointed for him to go outside when it was on his back,” Julie, his wife and the woman behind the camera (@aerocat5), told Newsweek.
According to Julie, the rescue attempts were strenuous and uninvited rodent guests are a regular occurrence for the family, who share their home, which is surrounded by fields, with 14 cats.
The mouse on his capturer’s back. The man grew increasingly concerned as the mouse remained firmly on his back
@aerocat5/@aerocat5
“Just catch it gently, catch it gently,” Julie can be heard whispering in the video, as her partner climbs onto a chair, determined to retrieve the mouse. Just when it seems like he might succeed, the mouse makes its daring move, crawling onto his back, triggering an explosion of laughter from the family.
In a moment of sheer desperation, the man pleads with his family: “Talk to me,” as he tries to guide it outside, all while the rodent clings stubbornly to his back.
“What the f***? Get it f****** off! Get it off!” he exclaims in a panic.
Luckily, the little intruder eventually made its way off his back into the garden, bringing the chaotic episode to a close.
When your cat brings a live mouse into your home, it’s essential to remain calm. According to Catster, the first step is to gently capture the mouse, ideally using a container, and release it far from your home to prevent its return. It’s also crucial to check for any signs of injury on your cat and to clean the area thoroughly to avoid any health risks.
According to Purina, cats bring their prey indoors because it’s a deeply ingrained instinct. Cats are natural hunters, and they bring home their catch to their ‘core territory’, a safe space to eat it or save for later.
To prevent cats bringing home unwelcome gifts, they suggest:
- Adding a bell to their collar: Attach a bell to a quick-release collar, this alerts wildlife and give them time to escape.
- Bird Feeder Placement: Position feeders out of your cat’s reach or avoid them altogether to limit hunting opportunities.
- Limit outdoor time: Keep your cat indoors during peak hunting hours—dusk, night, and early morning.
- Offer hunting alternatives: Use toys that mimic prey to satisfy your cat’s hunting instincts and provide exercise.
TikTok users couldn’t get enough of the man’s frantic mouse-catching efforts.
“The absolute desperation when he said ‘talk to me’ I can’t,” commented one user.
“Why did no one help this poor man?” wondered Lily.
“Don’t worry, he’s got your back,” joked Mark Targett.
“I think the woman in the background peed herself a little … as would I,” added Jowita.
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