Dilemma between following rescue’s advice and ideal standards of care

[breadbunny]

Hey everyone! I would be adopting my third hamster from a hamster rescue but I’m torn between following what I usually do for my hamsters vs the rescue’s advice. In the adoption requirements, one of it was no wooden items. I had to show them the list of supplies I’ve prepared for the hamster and I didn’t have any wooden items in it. This is totally different from my usual style which is more of a naturalistic vibe.

I’m feeling like I have an ethical dilemma on my hands because items like multi chamber hides are only found in wood. And the lack of wooden items makes it difficult to install things like high platforms that can support deep bedding. The reason they said no wooden items is to reduce the chances of mites and other things since my adopted hamster is long haired (which to me is a bit silly since I do bake and freeze all my wood items )

Maybe I’m too much of a stickler for rules but I feel obliged to follow their rules even though everything in me wants to disobey eventually (maybe after a period of time when I’ve brought my hamster own).

What do you guys think I should do?

 

[Maz]

It is really difficult - some rescues do have certain stipulations - with the best intentions but perhaps a bit rigid sometimes - and there have been members who have decided to get a hamster elsewhere as a result. Some say nothing plastic ........... But I've never heard of "no wood" before.

Mites are usually from hay rather than wood! Although they can be from those bark wood items but not usually smooth wood. Could it be because you live in a hot country (I'm guessing it's a hot country, not sure!) and they think mites hatching are more prevalent? It sounds as if they have had an experience of mites hatching from a wood item. To be honest I've tended to find things hatch from food rather than wood (hence freezing everything). And as you say baked wood isn't an issue (although baking a multiroom house probably wouldn't work if it has glue at the corners).

Ok so is it just "wood" they want excluded? And not cork or sprays or any other natural items? If so there'll be a way round it. You could make a cardboard multiroom house or have a shoebox house. If you have deep bedding then usually hamsters tend to use the large house as a "porch" and burrow down under it, rather than actually sleep in it, so it's more for overhead cover and security.

Platforms - tricky because you'd need one for a wheel at least. You can get acrylic platforms - I've just found these on Amazon.sg

Acrylic platforms (affiliate link)

So technically you can get away without any wood items Acrylic platforms and a cardboard multiroom house - annoying though it is. Alternatively you could maybe try asking for an exception for a smooth wood multiroom house? But if it has glue it can't be baked - but it can be frozen.

There are actually people making platforms from 3D printing now as well - some on Etsy - I'm not sure if they would send to where you are or not, you'd need to check maybe.

3D printed platform on Etsy (affiliate link)

 

[Maz]

I think you should get the hamster I'm sure it won't affect the care standards, as long as the hamster has plenty of enrichment

 

[breadbunny]

Yup our country can get hot and humid which is conducive for mites hatching Interesting the point you mentioned about the multi-chamber because my other hamster Teddy totally ignores his multi chamber since he is a deep burrower. In fact, his burrow entrance is at a random spot near a platform. But recently I noticed him entering the multichamber so I believe he has created another entrance from there! This is in contrast to Gus who stays entirely in his multichamber and doesn’t burrow. He has really designated each room of the chamber for a specific purpose. I think it really depends on the hamster’s preference and I wonder what my new rescue hamster personality would be like

Btw, I’ve not heard anyone mention it but do you think the presence of male Syrians would make female Syrians more eager to escape? I’m planning to keep them in separate rooms so she wouldn’t go crazy trying to get to them.