Jinx has escaped :(

SecretlyDying · 03-24-2015, 02:07 AM

I went to check on Jinx this morning, like i usually do but he wasn't there. I removed all his toys, houses, basically everything in his cage as well as check/move all the substrate. No luck however. I feel incredibly guilty as i knew the Zoozone holes were big enough for a hamster to escape but i didn't think he would. I've set up three 'traps' in my room using a 62L storage box, the hamsters playpen (which is also blocking the doorway as i don't have a door) and a smaller plastic container, all with some sort of food in (porridge, hamster food, baby food) to try lure him out, assuming he's in my room at all. I've also set up a small 'trap' in my sisters room but is there anything else i should do??

Willow Wisp · 03-24-2015, 03:32 AM

oh dear I'm so sorry to read this. I hope you manage to find Jinx quickly and safely.
Try not to panic, easier said then done I know, I have found Willow out and about on 3 seperate occasions, two of them were entirely my fault for absent mindedly leaving one of her cage doors open and the third occasion I have no idea at all how she got out, but on all 3 occasions she was coaxed back with some treats, so fingers crossed your traps and treats will do the trick and maybe just sit quietly in your room and chat to her, your voice may also draw her out of hiding. Good luck x

Wexland · 03-24-2015, 03:38 AM

She might also have found somewhere to sleep as they are nocturnal animals and you will have more luck finding her later this evening. Treats are a good idea. Could she have got downstairs?

Artisans_uk · 03-24-2015, 03:42 AM

It's always distressing to discover that your fluff has escaped. You seem to have done as much as you can. Can you see any traces of where he might have been exploring? Check around the edges of the rooms, for little "deposits" from Jinx.

As well as the traps you have set up and the suggestion that Willow made of talking to him so he hears your voice, you can put out some flour near the traps, then, if he visits, he'll tread in the four and then you'll see his footprints, maybe some near his cage too, if he can reach it?

I really hope that he makes an appearance very soon and he is soon back where he is safe. He's obviously been reading the latest edition from the Hamster Resistance Network!

Thinking of you and hoping for a quick re-capture.

SecretlyDying · 03-24-2015, 02:53 PM

Thanks for all the advice, he still hasn't turned up yet, i'm extremly worried but i refuse to give up. My mum has been on my case throughout the day as we have a mouse in the house and me leaving food out for him is making her panic/stress but i've told her i dont care about the mouse, i care about Jinx. I hope he turns up soon

Coldpaws · 03-24-2015, 07:04 PM

Oh no! Naughty Jinx! I think you've been really smart with your traps & boxes to lure her out, that's all I would have suggested. I only know of the bucket trap & you've done pretty much that already.

Try not to worry too much, she will appear eventually. Like the others, we've 'lost' Gizmo more than once, usually a forgotten open cage door or when she somehow escaped her ball. The biggest scare she gave us was when she found her way into the kitchen & somehow got behind the cupboards. We could hear her scratching behind the skirting boards but had no way of getting to her! After searching I found a gap under the dishwasher where she had hopped over & run all the way round the back of the kitchen. I found a hole (for electric sockets) in the larder & lured her out calling her & with some tasty peanuts. You can imagine our relief when we saw her nonchalantly plopped on the shelf of the larder munching peanuts! She looked like she'd had a whale of a time.

Try & be sympathetic to your mum as it sounds like she's really scared of mice! But your mum will have to put her fears aside for Jinx's welfare. Hope she turns up soon! x

Thin Lizzy · 03-24-2015, 10:54 PM

Where do you keep Jinx in the house?

SecretlyDying · 03-25-2015, 12:21 PM

Thanks Coldpaws, thats really reasuring. Thin Lizzy he's kept in my bedroom, at the very back of it on some small drawers.

Thin Lizzy · 03-26-2015, 08:46 AM

Any news on Jinx?

racinghamster · 03-26-2015, 09:14 AM

Don`t give up. Hamsters, like all small rodents usually come back to familiarity (smell). So try placing things down near corners and even his cage. he will smell his own scent and be attracted to it.

A long as you don`t have larger pets like cats or dogs, Jinx should be safe enough as long as he`s still indoors. Really hope you find him. x