Mixed reviews then. Yes I visited the store the other day, just to get an idea of costings (upfront and future, just to make sure I can afford it/it is feasible) I'm going for a syrian - I've read that other hamsters can live together, but then read reviews where they end up fighting to death, so rather than risk buying a lonely hamster, I'll get a solitary one!
I've wanted one for years, my parents always said when I moved out. Landlady has Ok'd it. Brother says to get a rat - which I was against, but then I saw the rats at the shop and thought Aww how cute! But I'm sticking to Syrian, I've done my research - know what I need to do to take care of them!
I wanted the little fella this weekend, but will have a quick google for hobby breeders - if I can get a winter white hamster, I'd wait!
Why not wait then?:D Might as well wait a few weeks and get exactly what you want from a good breeder that has handled it correctly, rather than pop up P@H & get an unsocialised,' mass produced' one.
Think that is probably as good a starting point as any.
We're having a similar problem. Son wants a tortoise so rather than pop up the garden centre and buy a Horsfield that may have come from a commercial breeder, we're looking for a good Red footed breeder. Got a couple of leads I'll ring this week-end but we'll wait as long as need be to get a healthy tortoise with good, knowledgeable back up from the breeder. Its worth waiting for.
The Syrians I've bought from Pets at Home have been absolutely fine, but perhaps I've been lucky. I did go 'hamster shopping' one day and asked the assistant to take a baby Syrian out of its cage so I could have a look. The little mite was, I think, in hibernation; he was almost literally comatose. That worried me a bit. Both of the hammies I've bought from our local independent shop have died very young- well, one is currently on his last legs, so I'm going through a bit of a tough time at the mo. Nothing to do with their genetics- they both suffered from escape-related injuries- but I'm just saying that it's not as black and white as 'P@H is bad, independent breeders are good.'
Bottom line- they are not pedigree dogs that live for fifteen-odd years, they are simply tiny, fragile little rodents with a life expectancy of 3 if you are very lucky. Being totally blunt about it, I don't think it merits a massive decision process- if you've seen one you like in P@H, go for it.
That's quite horrific, not worrying how the creatures are bred and just accepting any cruelty because they are just short lived rodents !
Why not wait then?:D Might as well wait a few weeks and get exactly what you want from a good breeder that has handled it correctly, rather than pop up P@H & get an unsocialised,' mass produced' one.
Think that is probably as good a starting point as any.
We're having a similar problem. Son wants a tortoise so rather than pop up the garden centre and buy a Horsfield that may have come from a commercial breeder, we're looking for a good Red footed breeder. Got a couple of leads I'll ring this week-end but we'll wait as long as need be to get a healthy tortoise with good, knowledgeable back up from the breeder. Its worth waiting for.
I've had a gander - there's noone in the area who breeds them, and I'm not willing to travel to the nearest place for one - I'd end up paying £50 plus the hamster! Thanks for the suggestion though.
I've had a gander - there's noone in the area who breeds them, and I'm not willing to travel to the nearest place for one - I'd end up paying £50 plus the hamster! Thanks for the suggestion though.
Try here..lots of people buy a hamster for a child who gets fed up in 2 weeks..so often young hamsters needing a home,or unexpected litters from hamsters they have bought and just thought were fat!
If its a Syrian hamster you will need a large cage and large wheel. I bought mine from Pets at Home rehoming section. He is nearly 2 now. They said he had behaviour problems but he is very friendly and affectionate. I got him a zoo zone for £29.00, put wire over the top and put lots of hanging and climbing toys in with masses of bedding. He is a happy boy.
Alot of the preloved and gumtree ads are from rodent farms posing as individual/family pet sellers, you have to do your research and ask lots of questions and use your intuition to work out which ones aren't.
The fact the ad above says that 'the mom and dad raise the babies together many thanks' says to me this is a breeder who does it alot.
Plus the fact it is a stock photo and not a picture of the actual hamsters the person is selling would also make me wary.
Have a look for local people of preloved, my current hamster was from an unexpected litter and came to me completely free from a really nice woman, she was 10 weeks old when i got her and she was handled regularly, so very tame compared to pet shop hamsters
i found her on preloved, the owner actually lived in filey, but travelled to york to meet me with her
pets at home hamsters are really hit and miss, and they always come from the massive rodent farms, they simply don't deal with small time breeders.
check the adoption areas in P@H though as well, as they do take in unwanted/unexpected litters from time to time.
i've had hamsters from pets at home, one lived to 13 months (wet tail), the other to 21 months (stroke).
the one i got from the local pet shop lived just 11 months and i think also had a stroke,
doris is very nearly two years now and still going strong.
but bear in mind that local pet shops often get their hamster babies from the same farms as pets at home, i've been in our local one when they were delivered by courier.
another option is rescuing, these hams are often tame and simply unwanted (usually because the child tehy were bought for got tired of them) there are lots of these hams on preloved and gumtree
and RSPCA re-homing centres are usually crammed full with them
Alot of the preloved and gumtree ads are from rodent farms posing as individual/family pet sellers, you have to do your research and ask lots of questions and use your intuition to work out which ones aren't.
The fact the ad above says that 'the mom and dad raise the babies together many thanks' says to me this is a breeder who does it alot.
I would be wary of those myself
Not always..I used to show large breed rabbits for over 12 years..they were my life and treated like royalty..I did breed to continue my lines..although only when I needed to..I always advertised any offsping I wasnt keeping back on these sites and know dozens of people who show rabbits who do the same.We were listed as accredited breeders with the British Rabbit Council but not many people contact you from there..most of our offspring used to go to other show people but some also as pets..I am sure the hamster world is the same...there are lots of hamsters on these sites that people have bought and got fed up with quickly..regardless of where they are from they would be a good bet to give a home to.
Have a look for local people of preloved, my current hamster was from an unexpected litter and came to me completely free from a really nice woman, she was 10 weeks old when i got her and she was handled regularly, so very tame compared to pet shop hamsters
i found her on preloved, the owner actually lived in filey, but travelled to york to meet me with her
pets at home hamsters are really hit and miss, and they always come from the massive rodent farms, they simply don't deal with small time breeders.
check the adoption areas in P@H though as well, as they do take in unwanted/unexpected litters from time to time.
i've had hamsters from pets at home, one lived to 13 months (wet tail), the other to 21 months (stroke).
the one i got from the local pet shop lived just 11 months and i think also had a stroke,
doris is very nearly two years now and still going strong.
but bear in mind that local pet shops often get their hamster babies from the same farms as pets at home, i've been in our local one when they were delivered by courier.
another option is rescuing, these hams are often tame and simply unwanted (usually because the child tehy were bought for got tired of them) there are lots of these hams on preloved and gumtree
and RSPCA re-homing centres are usually crammed full with them
Our hamster came from a surprise litter too..and had been handled by all the family..he is a treat.
Not always..I used to show large breed rabbits for over 12 years..they were my life and treated like royalty..I did breed to continue my lines..although only when I needed to..I always advertised any offsping I wasnt keeping back on these sites and know dozens of people who show rabbits who do the same.We were listed as accredited breeders with the British Rabbit Council but not many people contact you from there..most of our offspring used to go to other show people but some also as pets..I am sure the hamster world is the same...there are lots of hamsters on these sites that people have bought and got fed up with quickly..regardless of where they are from they would be a good bet to give a home to.
Exactly, hence my post of...
'Alot of the preloved and gumtree ads are from rodent farms posing as individual/family pet sellers, you have to do your research and ask lots of questions and use your intuition to work out which ones aren't.
The fact the ad above says that 'the mom and dad raise the babies together many thanks' says to me this is a breeder who does it alot.
Completely not what I said. I've had hamsters for about 25 years and would never knowingly accept any cruelty. Don't put words in my mouth please.
Bottom line- they are not pedigree dogs that live for fifteen-odd years, they are simply tiny, fragile little rodents with a life expectancy of 3 if you are very lucky. Being totally blunt about it, I don't think it merits a massive decision process- if you've seen one you like in P@H, go for it
That is what I read we have already established in this thread how they are bred so buying them is continuing this cruelty.
i bought one at pets at home and was told if he got ill within 7 days they would treat him free of charge within 3 days he had wet tail and died 4 days later he was the sweetest little guy too we called him forrest simply cos he was always running after that i got one from a pet shop with an excellent reputation harry was healthy and bright eyed he was 4.5 yrs when he died altho towards the end not very active would still come out for treats i now have a guinea pig from the same shop i have 11 altogether and he is a lovely little thing vocal chirpy and loves his food
Comments
Why not wait then?:D Might as well wait a few weeks and get exactly what you want from a good breeder that has handled it correctly, rather than pop up P@H & get an unsocialised,' mass produced' one.
A quick google for breeders threw up http://www.hamsters-uk.org/
Think that is probably as good a starting point as any.
We're having a similar problem. Son wants a tortoise so rather than pop up the garden centre and buy a Horsfield that may have come from a commercial breeder, we're looking for a good Red footed breeder. Got a couple of leads I'll ring this week-end but we'll wait as long as need be to get a healthy tortoise with good, knowledgeable back up from the breeder. Its worth waiting for.
That's quite horrific, not worrying how the creatures are bred and just accepting any cruelty because they are just short lived rodents !
I've had a gander - there's noone in the area who breeds them, and I'm not willing to travel to the nearest place for one - I'd end up paying £50 plus the hamster! Thanks for the suggestion though.
That's one expensive hamster lol:D
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/list/3362?keyword=HAMSTER&type=&membertype=&searcharea=GB%2CIE&orderby=ranking
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/106333212/6-baby-winter-white-hamsters-for-sale.html
Had a looksee there before - that's in Birmingham - I'm in Newcastle!
The fact the ad above says that 'the mom and dad raise the babies together many thanks' says to me this is a breeder who does it alot.
Plus the fact it is a stock photo and not a picture of the actual hamsters the person is selling would also make me wary.
I would be wary of those myself
i found her on preloved, the owner actually lived in filey, but travelled to york to meet me with her
pets at home hamsters are really hit and miss, and they always come from the massive rodent farms, they simply don't deal with small time breeders.
check the adoption areas in P@H though as well, as they do take in unwanted/unexpected litters from time to time.
i've had hamsters from pets at home, one lived to 13 months (wet tail), the other to 21 months (stroke).
the one i got from the local pet shop lived just 11 months and i think also had a stroke,
doris is very nearly two years now and still going strong.
but bear in mind that local pet shops often get their hamster babies from the same farms as pets at home, i've been in our local one when they were delivered by courier.
another option is rescuing, these hams are often tame and simply unwanted (usually because the child tehy were bought for got tired of them) there are lots of these hams on preloved and gumtree
and RSPCA re-homing centres are usually crammed full with them
Not always..I used to show large breed rabbits for over 12 years..they were my life and treated like royalty..I did breed to continue my lines..although only when I needed to..I always advertised any offsping I wasnt keeping back on these sites and know dozens of people who show rabbits who do the same.We were listed as accredited breeders with the British Rabbit Council but not many people contact you from there..most of our offspring used to go to other show people but some also as pets..I am sure the hamster world is the same...there are lots of hamsters on these sites that people have bought and got fed up with quickly..regardless of where they are from they would be a good bet to give a home to.
Our hamster came from a surprise litter too..and had been handled by all the family..he is a treat.
Exactly, hence my post of...
'Alot of the preloved and gumtree ads are from rodent farms posing as individual/family pet sellers, you have to do your research and ask lots of questions and use your intuition to work out which ones aren't.
The fact the ad above says that 'the mom and dad raise the babies together many thanks' says to me this is a breeder who does it alot.
I would be wary of those myself'
I never said all:)
Completely not what I said. I've had hamsters for about 25 years and would never knowingly accept any cruelty. Don't put words in my mouth please.
That is what I read we have already established in this thread how they are bred so buying them is continuing this cruelty.