The 2 rescues I adopted from Austin's have minimum requirement for cages, something like 80x50, they check your home out and the cage set up and i think I had to send a photo, but I already sent them a link to my YouTube channel so that gave them a pretty good idea of what I am like! You also have to sign a form that I think says you won't breed from them and if for any reason you can't keep them they go back to the rescue. I also think if she has little ones with special needs e.g. blind or need a quiet home, they check you out a bit more too.
Ria, I can see Harley hamstery becoming a reality one day, do we need to warn your other half
I do agree with you though, I would find it hard letting them go, but I guess you just have to tell yourself you are helping more hamsters by getting them adopted. I would love to do it one day, but maybe only on a small basis as I don't think I could cope with a lot of heartache that I know is involved.