This country has campaigns in place to try and educate the public about spaying and neutering our dogs and cats to stop the senseless deaths of those animals. Dog and cat breeders that show their animals do not breed in excess like some people in the rat and mouse fancy. They breed to perfect the breed, but also limit the numbers. Maybe we should take a lesson from them. If we wish to continue breeding large quantities of animals and not feel like murderers in the process, then we need to spend a lot more time and effort educating the public about the wonderful attributes of rats and mice as pets to open up more pet homes to be able to place all of our animals in, and give them the respect and love they deserve.
Key word is relaxation.