Adopting Vs Buying

Cotton · 03-17-2019, 07:51 PM

I'm patiently-or impatiently-waiting for a hamster to become available at two local shelters, but there are none available. (There were two postings previously, but they were adopted by the time I could get there.)

Everyone says to avoid buying hamsters at stores because it supports inhumane breeders. Did you just wait indefinitely until one became available to adopt or did you buy from a store?

I'm eager to have a pet hamster again and would prefer to adopt. I'm trying to wait.

Thank you.

P.S. No judgement here towards people who buy!

Cotton · 03-17-2019, 08:29 PM

I just had another thought...are there breeders who let you buy directly onsite so you see whether or not it is a humane breeder?

alpacassei · 03-17-2019, 08:53 PM

I currently have 3 bought hamsters (two syrians and a robo), and 3 adopted/rescue hamsters (all russian dwarfs). While it’s always better to adopt/rescue or buy from an ethically breeder, no one is gping to judge you for buying a pet shop hammie.

Cotton · 03-18-2019, 08:03 PM

Thank you, alpacassei. Wow, six hamsters...a roborovski, two Syrians and three Russian Dwarfs. That's fantastic! Do you have a favourite?

I saw a local store has female Roborovskis in stock. I have had everything ready for a Roborovski. I have been researching them for a long time, but wanted to have the two dwarfs first. They were fantastic pets. I keep checking the shelters and nothing.

Thank you, alpacassei. I'm sure I will have another hamster soon-Roborovski or a dwarf. Hopefully, from a shelter, but if there isn't one available soon I may buy from a store. I am eager to have a hamster again.

Ria P · 03-23-2019, 06:10 AM

I heard that one shouldn't buy from a pet shop but couldn't find a breeder locally. I went to Pets at Home and bought the hamster that was desperately trying to get out of the small, shared cage. Afterall people's opinions don't help the wee pet shop hamsters in need of a good home. He may not be a pedigree hamster but he's got a good life now.

W0lf · 03-23-2019, 12:06 PM

I bought my hamster, mainly because I'm a kid, so meeting up with strangers who are rehoming their hamsters is a no, and there aren't any shelters with adoptable hamsters near me. I did end up buying a hamster that looked like it needed a home the most though. Poor girl had knocked over her flying saucer and was freaking out.

RoyalHam · 03-23-2019, 12:49 PM

I've had hams appear at shelters at just the right times, and they've always been exactly the ham I was waiting for. Have you checked local listings like Craigslist as well? I've seen hams on there up for adoption by people who can no longer care for them, and that way you are keeping a ham out of shelter which is just as admirable. After that I'd say a reputable hamstery is best. But depending on where you live I'd say circumstances are very different. If you're in a major city I would personally wait, but if you're in middle of nowhere Ontario and can't drive to another city to find a ham that's different.

Cotton · 03-23-2019, 02:09 PM

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. I appreciate it. After reading through the posts, browsing through various threads here, and looking through animal listings at shelters and online, I decided to buy. I bought a Roborovski hamster this afternoon. He's just getting settled into his new home now.

Again, thank you for your responses!

Fluffagrams · 03-23-2019, 02:10 PM

All but one of my current hamsters (7 Chinese, 1 Robo and 1 Winter White) have been from other club breeders and the one who wasn't was bred by me but there's been a few pet shop purchases in my past.

In my earliest days of keeping hamsters it was because I didn't know you could adopt hamsters from rescues (the internet wasn't really as big in those days) but even when I knew about them, there just wasn't the same opportunities to rehome the hamsters of the species I was most interested in keeping. Saying that though, I 'adopted' a hamster a few years ago simply to provide end of life care and I've taken on an owner surrender as a foster before he went to his permanant home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotton

I just had another thought...are there breeders who let you buy directly onsite so you see whether or not it is a humane breeder?

A lot of breeders work on a waiting list system so it's not quite like being able to go along and pick out a hamster if you see one you like. Often you're contacted after the pups are born to offer you a pup and in some cases the breeder will have already chosen a suitable match for you based on what information you gave them as well as the other people on the list.

Once you accept arrangements can be made for collections. Some breeders are happy to allow collections from the hamstery but others aren't. This doesn't usually mean that they have anything to hide but the idea of strangers coming through their homes is not something that everyone is happy with. Most breeders are happy to explain their standards to you if you ask them though.

alpacassei · 03-23-2019, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotton

Thank you, alpacassei. Wow, six hamsters...a roborovski, two Syrians and three Russian Dwarfs. That's fantastic! Do you have a favourite?

I saw a local store has female Roborovskis in stock. I have had everything ready for a Roborovski. I have been researching them for a long time, but wanted to have the two dwarfs first. They were fantastic pets. I keep checking the shelters and nothing.

Thank you, alpacassei. I'm sure I will have another hamster soon-Roborovski or a dwarf. Hopefully, from a shelter, but if there isn't one available soon I may buy from a store. I am eager to have a hamster again.

I don’t have a favourite out of my hammies, but my favourite species are Russian dwarfs (Winter Whites, Campbells, and hybrids)!

I hope you can find a robo soon, they’re so cute and fun to watch!