Random Questions: Did I adopt? Why was he in the backroom?

Natasha95 · 08-08-2017, 12:50 PM

This is kind of a random question/post, but I was just curious. I got my hamster at Petco from the backroom, and he was in his own tank. They said he was 10 weeks old. Do they put hamsters in the back when they get too old to be housed together, or was there another reason he was back there? (It didn't occur to me to ask at the time)

Also, I had to sign adoption papers, but I also paid full-price for him, so did I really adopt him, or did I buy him?

He was also the only hamster I saw at the store who was well-behaved and didn't try to bite or run away, so I wonder if he was already tamed a bit.

AprilPearl · 08-08-2017, 12:58 PM

I would say you bought him. I don’t know how things work at Petco, but at Pets at Home (which is basically the UK equivalent) you don’t pay if you adopt a hamster. If you are buying a hamster, you always have to sign adoption papers - even if you’re not technically “adopting“. It’s a legal thing. A 10 weeks old, he wouldn’t have been old enough to have been moved to the adoption section. Pet shops usually get hamsters in at 8-10 weeks old. He may, however, have been nearer the back of the shop because they had had a new litter come in and he was from a previous one (probably one which came in only a week or two before). Pet shops have quite a high turnover and so get new hamsters in very regularly.

Drago · 08-08-2017, 01:08 PM

AprilPearl is correct. In petco, hamsters are stored in the back quite often. So yes, you did purchase him rather than adopt. Like mentioned above, hamsters who aren't adopted almost immediately, are typically brought to the back of the store. Congrats on your little one!

**Cinnamon Bear** · 08-08-2017, 02:02 PM

Pet-Co & the SPCA work to adopt out animals but you would know if your pet was from the SPCA cause they only accept checks made out to the SPCA & there is lots of paperwork. Sometimes Pet-Co will adopt out people's pets that need to be rehomed after their owners drop them off or unwanted litters. But you would know cause they give those animals away for free or donations only, like to get $5 for those animals.

They also take in returned animals but hopefully they would not charge you for a returned animal. Then there are sick animals but I'm sure they wouldn't sell a sick animal.

Sometimes they refer to the word, adoption, synonymous with buying instead

Congrats on your new hammy

Natasha95 · 08-09-2017, 07:31 AM

Okay, that makes sense. Thanks everyone!