Candace, have you heard this yet? I got this in an email from the Humane Society of the United States today. I am only posting the link as that is all that is relavent to this thread.
I know you are a bit skeptical about this whole mill thing and disease etc, but I really wouldn't trust those large chains.
This is directly linked to your stores and these are the kinds of people they have been receiving animals from.
I would also be very careful and ask lots of questions about the private breeders they are getting 'special orders' from. If they are reluctant to give you a name, or location at the least, I wouldn't touch them.
Anyone who would get involved with somthing like this would most likely wind up on the short end of the stick and put in a position of constant demand.
That leaves the poor hamsters to do all the 'work' and the whole circle of mill breeding begins anew.
http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... emplate=BA