Adopting a hamster.

[luluthehammy]

Hi everyone!

My first baby sadly crossed the rainbow bridge a month ago, and I was thinking about getting another hamster. I have two options- either get a hammy from a pet shop which i would rather not do, or adopt a hamster off a web like olx/kijiji smth. I found one put up for adoption (for free on olx), only 15 mins away. And even though I know giving a (sometimes) neglected hamster a new, safe, loving home where it can thrive is a very noble thing, I do have some doubts. My main concern is that it might have some kind of previous trauma, that will have an impact on our relationship, its behavior, etc. I rlly want to adopt it, I'm just not sure whether I'm experienced enough to know how to handle any issues that may occur like that correctly (this would be my 2nd hamster). Anyway, let me know if any of you had previous experience with adopting a hammy from someone looking to rehome it. Do you have any tips on bonding and building trust with a hamster like so??

Thank you for your replies!
XOXO

 

[Tulsi]

I can understand your concerns and they are very real. Often pet shop hamsters are traumatised from their backgrounds (hamster mills, crowded transport, etc). There are people on here who have had hamsters from difficult backgrounds and have gradually seen positive changes and have eventually been able to handle them.

It seems like such a great chance to have found a hamster near by.

What does your heart say?

Also you have all of us on here to help and advise you which is a great resource.

 

[Maz]

I can understand your concerns. I'm not familiar with olx, but is it private owners selling a hamster? If it's like some of the small ads in the Uk, some will be private sales and some may be unethical breeders. You can tell a lot from looking at photographs. Does the hamster look happy and well? If the hamster looks happy and well then that is a good sign. On the other hand some hamsters are kept in cages too small with very little enrichment and may look a bit sad - and that can also be a sign to give the hamster a good home and then they will flourish.

Generally I wouldn't worry about behaviour issues. The hamster will bond with you and will be happier in a good set up and with attention. There is a chance that a hamster may have had a bad experience and that is something we can never know - even with pet shop hamsters. In that situation they may be scared of hands or nip sometimes - if that happens, it may improve or they may be a watch only pet (or the need to wear gloves).

You said you really want to adopt it so I would go with that feeling And try not to worry - I'm sure you will develop a trusting bond. You have had a hamster before so you will have some experience and the hamster will benefit from that and you will have a nice new friend

Is it a Syrian or dwarf or robo? And is it male or female? If the hamster is free to a good home, then it is unlikely to be an unethical breeder, but someone who no longer has the time to care for a hamster (or child got bored or something). I would go for it

 

[Socks' Mum]

We are all learning all the time I'm sure you can give a hammy a wonderful home

 

[luluthehammy]

He is a male hybrid dwarf hammy. This is how he looks like!

 

[Socks' Mum]

He is cute! Good luck with your search ❤

 

[Tulsi]

Aww he looks rather lovely. I have just got a female dwarf hamster from a rescue (UK).

 

[Maz]

He looks very sweet