Abstract: There is provided a lattice door lock for a small animal cage. The lock includes a vertical tube secured to the cage and a rigid stick slidably mounted into the tube. A latch transversely projects from the stick and hookingly engages the latticed door under the bias of the weight of the stick when the door closes the cage. A lever at the base of the tube and contacting the stick allows an animal caretaker to actuate the lock without requiring use of his hands, wherein his elbow e.g. may be used. Thus, even if he has to use both hands to handle the animal to be caged, the animal caretaker will be able to open the cage door.