Where do you get your hamsters?

[velma]

P@h here too. Sorry! We do have independent pet stores here too but I haven't got a hamster from a local pet shop since I was a kid. One of the shops here I would get my hamsters from & one I wouldn't. Although I did buy Cleo as I fell in love on the spot, mostly I adopt which is why I go to p@h

[racinghamster]

All of the hamsters I`ve had/have to date, have been adopted or rehomed from people on Gumtree or Pets At Home adoption or forums. I don`t mind paying for a hamster if the previous owner is looking for a small fee, but I don`t buy from pet shops full stop as all the hammies I`ve taken in have all been pet shop hamsters who were unwanted. I havn`t payed for any of my hamsters as they were all unwanted. Their loss, my gain. x

[Enh98]

I don't have any breeders near me. Two of our previous hamsters (RIP Merlin and Moo) came from PetSmart and our current hammy was adopted from the SPCA. I try to check rescues and animal shelters before heading to the pet shop.

[Leila0420]

I got my Syrian from an independent pet store and adopted my two dwarfs from a friend I've been given hamsters before from friends of the family, for example my only boy ham I adopted because his original owners were leaving the country

[Pebbles82]

We got Charlie from the local pet shop in our small market town which is just a village really, so going into the pet shop was an easy option. They only had two hamsters and we were told 'this one is a bit younger and isn't the bitey one'. We had a look at him and he stood up in his tank and came nose to nose with little boy and looked at us as if to say - please take me. He was so adorable. I didn't know any different though, and in future I would either adopt or go to a breeder. Probably adopt.

[racinghamster]

Charlie was meant to be with you and your wee boy Serendipity, he`s a star! x

[GhostsInSnow]

Of my current hamsters, Willow (Chinese) was from P@H, Rowan-Bear (Syrian), Skadi and Freya (WW's) are all pedigree hamsters from breeders, Thor (Roborovski) was from P@H adoption centre and then Loki and Eir (Syrians) were both rescues, Eir from an accidental litter and Loki from someone who didn't want him anymore and had him in a teeny tiny cage.

My past hamsters, Fudge (Syrian) was from P@H, Sheldon (Roborovski) was from P@H adoption centre and Edwin and Embla (Syrians) were both rescues

I won't buy from P@H anymore, only from the adoption centre, I'd much rather get from reputable breeders, rescue or use another local petshop that really loves their animals (That's not a dig at anyone who uses them or anything just personal preference)

[SpaceMouse]

Idjit was from p@h but Latte we got from Kats Little Gems rescue place in Northampton though I don't know where she came from originally.

[PinkStarburst]

In future I will be adopting or go on gumtree, theres a never ending bunch of ads for hamsters. i dont want to line P@H pockets anymore

[Jen250]

Hubble came from the local Pets at Home. Bought, not adopted. There were no Syrians available for adoption when we went (he was a surprise birthday gift from my boyfriend). There were so many hamsters there in one tiny aquarium cage. Something about him stood out to me, but I don't know what. When the guy who worked there put the box inside, a totally different hamster (with the same coloring), scampered inside, but I was resolute in wanting Hubble instead, even though he was a bit shy to come along. And I wouldn't have it any other way now.