What shall I do for Christmas

Muddles · 12-07-2005, 09:49 AM

I have 6 hamsters in all, 2 Syrians and 4 Robos.

I live in Northampton and will be going to Warrington from around the 23 December to 2-3 January. Chris's parents are fine with my bringing my hamsters with us for christmas but that was when I only had 3 enclosures as the robos lived together fine.

Now I have 5 enclosures as two of the robos live solitary now and I am introducing two back together at present (if that doesn't work I will end up with 5 enclosures). Obviously, this is a little excessive and I can't take all of them with me.

My plan is to take both of the syrians and of of the robo enclosures (if the 2 togehter works then thats the one thats gonna come with me). The other 2 robos I need babysitters for.

My query is this. Is there anywhere that you can take hamsters to for holidays ( a bit like a cattery)? I do have one person whom I could leave the other 2/3 with but I am slightly wary of doing this because as lovely as she is, she does tend to forceably love animals to the point of bugging them when they don't want to be bugged.(when I first introduced her to the syrians she shoved them down her top saying they like that (baggy jumper not fitted and one at a time not both). She tries to forceably cuddle the kittens too when they don't want to be.

Now obviously this is slightly worrying as robos are extremely quick as we all know. She has seen them and does think they are very cute but I don't want her to to try to handle them if I leave them in her care for a while.

Sorry to waffle but I'm at a slight loss. I would leave them with her if I have to but I would like to try to avoid it if I could.

Does anyone have any ideas??

Thanks

Lisa x

Emma · 12-07-2005, 12:08 PM

Like you I take my hammys away with me when I can.

I think as long as your friend realises that robos are not like other hamsters you should be fine. I tend to keep handling of mine to a minimum, they're more animals to watch than anything else. It makes them great for people pet sitting as they need to very little, just add food & water and keep clean. I'm sure if you explain to her that they are not for handling they should be fine? Or do you not trust her to follow your instructions to look but not touch!

There are places that do boarding of hamsters - some rescues will for example, so it may be worth ringing local rescues to see if they offer this service.

Muddles · 12-08-2005, 03:21 AM

Hi Emma

To be honest, I would trust her more with the robos than the syrians, and there is her hubby in the house so he could keep an eye and ensure she isn't breaking my rules.

Like us, they have 2 cats so I would specify that like us they keep my hams in a room with the door closed at all times.

My Chris said that if she didn't follow my rules he would rip her limb from limb anyway (he is her ex funnily enough - but we are all really good friends lol)

It would probably be less stressful for them to leave them with her as they wouldn't have any strange 'other hamster' smells to contend with, or noise. They only live down the road so it would be less stress to take them round t them. I would get her to come to our house once a day to check but chris is paniky that she will forget to set the alarm or something.

I guess I'll just have to hope they will be ok. I am probably being an overprotective mother to be honest lol.

She is a lovely person but is a bit overexcitable with animals, and does tend to be a bit dizzy. Her husband is totally ok with such things so he will keep her in check no doubt.

Wish me luck

Lisa x

souffle · 12-08-2005, 03:54 AM

I think that is the best thing to trust them to your friend. Less stressful all round. Tell her they bite and maybe she will leave them alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hammydude · 12-12-2005, 11:40 AM

Unless you find someone very trustfull to watch over them, I would ask if I could take them all.

Muddles · 12-13-2005, 07:11 AM

LOL hammydude. I reckon sending them by plane to you would be the most stressful thing ever LOL hee hee. Thanks for that though.

I have laid down the law with my friend and if she puts a toe out of line she's in for it. Mind you I reckon I would have to get in line as my Chris would have a go first. To be honest, I think that in the end she will be fine and she just gets silly over them at our house as I am there.

She can be responsible when she wants to be and they do have 2 cats themselves (as do we) which I have said have to be kept away from my hamsters by way of a closed door.

Lisa x