It's probably not too often that a first-date conversation turns to a discussion on various types of mousetraps, but that's exactly what happened to me.

When I met my boyfriend, he was in hot pursuit of a mouse who was taste-testing her way through his cabinets. He said he was trying to catch her in a snap trap and wasn't having any luck. He even surmised that the mouse was so crafty that she was not only avoiding the trap but also periodically dancing a little jig around it while pointing and laughing hysterically. (I maintain that the mouse was too smart for that antiquated trap.) So there we were on our first date talking about how the snap trap could injure his dog, may not kill the mouse (at least not instantly), and could make a big mess, and somewhere between the salad and the risotto, he agreed to give my Humane Smart Mousetrap a try.

Soon after, we met for date number two so that we could institute Operation Mouse Catch. A few days, a few dates, and a few dabs of peanut butter later, the mousier Jesse James was in custody:

We took her mug shot and promptly let her go in the yard. And contrary to his misgivings, her cabinet renegade days seem to be over. Since then, our dates have become a little more normal, and as for the mousetrap that started it all, my boyfriend's parents have decided to try it out for themselves to nab their own miniature house guest. And I did a little reading on mice. Turns out, they're a lot like us: They love to learn new things, they're very social, and they are loving companion animals.

October is Rodent Prevention Month. As we've learned, the best way to keep from having unwanted visitors is to store food in chew-proof plastic containers, keep trash in lidded cans, and seal off any possible entry points. Just focusing on killing a mouse or rat who comes indoors won't work because if the area is still appealing and accessible, another animal will simply take the first one's place.

And many rodent traps are not only ineffective but also cruel. Animals snared in glue traps, for instance, may languish for days before finally dying of starvation or dehydration. During that time, the animals' skin, fur, or feathers may be ripped off as he or she struggles to escape. And like most "kill traps" and rodent poisons, glue traps don't discriminate: Dogs, cats, other nontarget animals—and even small children—can be harmed by them.

This Rodent Prevention Month, show mice and rats some love with a Humane Smart Mousetrap. You never know where it might lead.

With the approach of cooler fall weather, some of you might be hearing the pitter-patter of little feet in your attic. That's because mice and other rodents often start moving indoors this time of year to escape the cold. If you don't mind sharing your home with these furry little refugees, give yourself a pitter-pat on the back and don't read any further: This week's "Win It" Wednesday prize—one of PETA's perennially popular humane mousetraps—will be of no interest to you.

For the rest of you, here are three easy steps you can take to humanely rodent-proof your home: 

• Seal any cracks and holes in walls and foundations
• Keep food and garbage in sealed, chew-proof containers
• Catch any remaining rodents with a humane trap and release them outdoors.

To score one of the aforementioned humane traps, post a comment below telling us about the creative ways you have humanely resolved conflicts with wildlife. Whoever leaves the response that most makes us want to smack ourselves on the forehead and say, "D'oh, why didn't I think of that?" will walk away a winner.

The contest ends November 3, and the winner will be chosen on Novemeber 5. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting.

If you don't win, never fear: You can still order one of our lean, green, mouse-nabbing machines at PETACatalog.com. 

Written by Alisa Mullins

Veteran fashionista and new vlogger Kelly Cutrone recently confessed that she kills mice who make their way inside her home because she's "not Pamela Anderson."

Sure, there's only one Pamela Anderson, but we can all work toward emulating Pam's kindness and compassion, so we dashed off a note to Kelly to let her know that humane traps are available and that we're happy to send her a supply. Mice really don't want to bother you any more than you want to interact with them, and like us, they are just trying to live their lives.

Snap traps are awful, but not quite as horrific as glue traps, which are "hell on Earth" for animals who get stuck in them, who sometimes chew their own limbs off in an attempt to escape.

After she uses nonlethal means to put mice back where they belong, perhaps the sequel to Kelly's bestselling book, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside, can be called, If You Have Mice, Take Them Outside.

Written by Jennifer O'Connor