Best Hamster Stores?

[gamegrl]

hi! im currently looking to adopt a new hamster, my last one passed sadly and im planning on getting another once i move

im in the st louis, mo area and ive found a lovely local pet store that has their own breeder, sadly, they only have hamsters in the spring because theyre very cautious about overbreeding them, which i like! but it doesnt help me now

i refuse to get a hamster from petsmart/petco, i was wondering if anyone had any good experiences with Pet Supplies Plus? the one near me seems to have good reviews, and i know the store is not as bad as petsmart

i called and asked where they get their hamsters, they said they get them from a breeder called APets in northern illinois, but i couldnt find anything about them

just curious, there arent any individual breeders near me and i do not want to support a chain pet store - any input or store recommendations is highly appreciated! thank you!!

[Engel]

I'd go with the local one who gets them in the spring. It gives you enough time to sort everything out (cage, playpen, food, bedding, hides etc)

Another option is to adopt from a rescue. I have 3 from a rescue and I'd probably continue to adopt rather than shop. So maybe that could be another option?

Unfortunately I am in the UK so I can't comment on the chains you have in the USA.

Have you got anything set up in preparation for your ham?