Rescue Hamsters

spaceboyhelix · 11-22-2018, 07:01 AM

A local pet store near me rehomes returned hamsters, and I would like to adopt one of these instead of buying a baby. (There isn't a reputable breeder near me, or that I could find, but I will keep looking)

Problem is, often they are several months or older, and haven't been socialised or in some cases properly looked after at all.

I've had hamsters and other small pets before, and I'm confident enough caring for them, but this would be different.

Any advice regarding special care, socialising etc?

Thanks

mangoandmimi · 11-23-2018, 10:34 AM

In my experience I haven't noticed a huge difference, especially if these are only a couple months old. I've only had 3 (dwarf) breeder hams but to be honest their temperaments will depend a lot on how much they were handled as babies, and that will vary with each breeder. All 3 of mine started off skittish and had to be tamed essentially from scratch. Two ended up wonderfully tamed but one always remained quite nippy and territorial, not that it bothered me in the slightest.

Rescues may or may not take a little longer it really depends on the individual hamster. I got most of my lot at around 5 months-1 year old, and their progress varied a lot. Even if it does take longer it's definitely worth the extra effort, makes it all the more rewarding really! You wouldn't do anything that differently than you would with a baby hamster, just take things nice and slow and try to get a bit of interaction in every day. It'll depend on the hamster's personality really so I wouldn't worry too much about that in advance. It's great you're looking to give a hamster a second chance, looking forward to hearing more

BorisPasha · 11-23-2018, 11:12 AM

As mangoandmimi said it really depends on the individual hamster and what their previous life was like. We've rescued 5 and they have all been completely different, even the two that were from the same home. I would just do as you would do with any hamster and just take it at their pace

WelshHammi · 11-23-2018, 04:57 PM

I rescued my boris who was around 9/10 months old and he is amazing!!! Never known such a fluffy funny thing he loves a cuddle and loves nothing more than seeing what treats he will get each night! Tonight potatoe! He loves to sit in my lap and give me kisses! My experience has been you’ll know if you have to take he or she home with you.

Pebbles82 · 11-23-2018, 05:03 PM

The wand chooses the wizard

One of those hammies will choose you and then you'll bond and he/she will be so happy to have an owner and a home and a lovely cage. Go with your instincts when you see them. Have you decided on a cage?

alpacassei · 11-23-2018, 05:16 PM

My friend had a rescue Syrian who was the sweetest girl! She was rescued from an abusive owner, she lived in a tiny 30cm cage for 6 months, was extremely underweight and scared. We were warned she was very aggressive but once we got her home and in a suitable cage she calmed down and never bit once! She used to fall asleep on my lap!

spaceboyhelix · 11-26-2018, 03:34 AM

Thanks all! I'm feeling positive about this now - lovely to see you've all had such good results with older/rescue hammies.

I have a cage already, quite a big one with different hidey-holes and play areas from my last Syrian. He was quite a big lad so I got him a bigger tank than the one he was in.

JennySTL · 11-26-2018, 10:28 AM

Please keep us posted and thank you for rescuing your hammy! It sounds like he/she will have a lovely home as their forever home.

spaceboyhelix · 12-05-2018, 12:45 PM

We brought Dumpling home with us today, she's actually quite friendly already, but we'll let her settle in over the next few days.

Unfortunately, the cage I have looks way too small, and I'm going to get her a ZooZone Habitat Large, which hopefully will be a better size. I'm mad 'cause I gave away my gerbil cage the same size which would have been perfect!

alpacassei · 12-05-2018, 03:16 PM

I think most of us have been in that position, there’s so much misinformation about hasmter cages (and hamsters’ needs in general). The ZZ Large/ZZ2 is a good choice! The lid will need meshing because it’s meant for guinea pigs though.

What cage do you have? You might be able to reuse it for another pet or atleast use one of the sides to mesh the ZZ.