Thank you everyone for your support and suggestions! I really appreciate it, very much!

They're in tank with the mesh lid. What we also did was cover part of it up with a towel (loosely) and then put a book on top of that. The towel was because it seems that they enjoy their dark spots (they have a hidey spot that they LOOOOVE) and the book was for weight. My husband fashioned some clips so the top can't come off as easily. We've put their habitats up on VERY high shelves and they have gotten knocked over and broken (scary at 4 in the morning!) and they headbutt and try to knock the cage over now.

My BIGGEST fear is that the cage will get knocked over and you-know-what will happen to them. The clips are sturdy but *may* be able to be pulled off by the cats if they try hard enough. The cage, right now, is blocked by a HUGE recliner, a trash can, and some laundry baskets. I feel that is just not the kind of life they deserve. I call them my little Napoleons because while they are almost fearless, the cats aren't afraid of them either and try with all their might (and instinct, everyone tells me and I am reluctant to accept).

There are tears as I type this as I have thought it over and over for the past couple of days. I love rodents. PLEASE, please, please, don't think that this is a decision that I am taking lightly or easily. I have always felt a kinship with rodents (they are little guys and I am a short person, we have the same 'tudes, etc) and I have always stuck up for their equal welfare and will continue to do so. I love love love LOVE my girls but I know that the home they are going to is going to provide them with so much relief on top of love. The family they are going to is gerbil experience. The woman/mom used to breed and raise gerbils but lost her husband a few years ago and could not do it for a while. She and her children (older and respectful) pieced their lives back together and are ready again.

It is with sadness and happiness that they scamper off with their new family (). I LOVE YOU GIRLS, NEVER EVER FORGET THAT. (Of course, you're welcome back with two sets of open arms any time!)