Ive Been Offered A Syrian!!!

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Ok then I am in a strange and unexpected situation right now and I need some HC wisdom!
One of my cousins (not Ellie) has come to stay for the night and she owns a LH male Syrian, he was born in June sometime (Ive forgotten the date she just told me ) and has lived in a Criceti 9 his whole life.
My cousin knows this cage is too small but she has been trying her best and has now decided that she cant afford to buy a new one as she was planning and has said to me she doesn't have the time for him but wants him to have a really good life so she has offered him to me!!!

Now I have to make a massive decision because if I take him then there would be no way I would get Bokeh and Dodge this year or start my roborovski breeding... part of me was questioning whether to do it this year or not anyway. The only spare cage I have right now is my spare Wilkos bin which is only 40x80cm which he would have to live in for a couple of months (2-3) while I get my room sorted. Once my room is done I will have the space for a 50x80cm cage or bigger which he could happily have.
I have an 8" wheel spare from the HH and as the Syrian doesn't have a wheel because of the cage he lives in Im sure he will be more than happy with it.

The hamster himself is either a Blonde or a Mink (my cousin isnt too sure) but comes from a hobbiest breeder so although he doesnt have a pedigree he does have an exact age and isnt from a badly bred pet shop line.

I just about have the money to slowly buy him new things for his cage so eventually he will have everything he needs.
Now I know most of you will immediately say "Get Hiiiim!" in your good ol' HC excitement but I need to know I am doing the right thing. Here are my gathered Pros and Cons for getting him -

Pros -
He would be getting a bigger cage/better lifestyle
My cousin would still be able to see him
I wouldn't worry about the home he was going to
Ive always wanted a LH Syrian male
I have the space and money
They crave attention more than dwarfs so it would be nice to have that contrast
I would have been buying an 80x50cm cage or bigger for my breeding so that doesn't make a difference

Cons -
He would be living in a smallish cage for a few months
I wont have the time/space/money to breed robos for a few more years
He isnt my dream silver grey LH male
He will have yellow in him and so will most likely have a lot of attitude
I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SYRIANS!!!!!

>.< So yes please give me you r honest opinions I have to decide by this evening as I would be getting him tomorrow so if I decide that I will get him I will have to set up his temp cage tonight.

[newham]

Well sounds like he will be a sacrifice to far for you, why sacrifice what you want? My initial response is go for it but after a good read I think you should say no so you can do what you want, cant you encourage your cousin to get a bin cage?

[AngelAmes]

Wow Erin, that's a pretty tough decision and it is completely up to you no matter what people here on HC say to pursuade you either way.
Firstly if you had your heart set on breeding roborovskis you will have to think about that as it means you will have to wait longer for it to happen. But you can still do it in a couple of years.

You said you have wanted a sirian. Personally I think try are very different from dwarfs. My Tilly used to crave attention and find ways of making a riot so that I could pay attention to her whenever I was in the room. They require alot more time I have found but they are so loving and have such big personalities.

If you did take him he would obviously be super spoilt and loved by you as all of your hamsters are.

It's a really tough decision and I honestly don't know what I would do in yor situation :-/
Which ever you choose will be fabulous though and if you don't take him I'm sure we can fine someone on HC to have him or someone who will love him loads.

Of course we will support what ever you choose

[emilyweb]

Erin you will know what I think it's what I always think GO FOR IT!! just do it you'll be able to give them a wonderful and caring life, what all hammies deserve

[LocoRocoPanda]

Hm. I don't know what I'd do but I tell you something. Don't discriminate against colours. Hamster racist. vanilla-yazoo has a yellow called Terry and he is the cuddliest calmest hamster I've held. He may not be your dream ham. I know because Claudio is. But I'm sure you'll come up with something. I understand if you can't take him.

[CoolcatNatNat44]

I would take him because its a syrian and its a different breed so a new experience

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Laura - I should have added to my post the reason she can no longer afford him is because her job is ending So she cant afford even a bin cage as she already has to pay rent somehow and for everything else so she doesn't want him to suffer because of it and she knows I have the ability to look after him. My step mother has just come to me saying she thinks I should take him because she knows how worried I have been about this ham for some time :/ I'm still undecided so please everyone give me your views!

[RachK]

I would go for it Erin. He might not be your ideal in a Syrian but more often that not, it doesn't really matter.
You are only young & can easily put off breeding Robo's for a little longer.

Cookie has turned out to be a wonderful hamster for me. It's taken some work to get him to feel secure around people after his bad start, but it has been so worth it. I am so glad I kept him in the end, as I worried myself constantly over him.

I was always a dwarf fan first & foremost & thought there was no way I would ever have a Syrian I wouldn't ever be without one now.

Your pros outweigh your cons anyway.

[LocoRocoPanda]

Personally. I'd take him. If he proves too much I'll nick him off you in June but for now, I'd take him just because it'd be way better for him now to be in an 80x40 than in a Criceti 9. Not to mention...Cage size isn't everything. Syrians are an amazing species and unlike Kiku, Jeni, Trevor, Truffle and Cookie they'll want to play with you.

You already have a Winter White. Syrians are bigger cuddlier versions of them.

[emilyweb]

ERINNNNN just do it I'll haunt you forever if you don't I think it's defo Syrian time for the Bobtails