Pet Shop Policy

[Ria P]

I was in a pet shop yesterday overhearing a conversation of a lady who wanted to buy one dwarf hamster to be told by the shop assistant that they were only to be sold in pairs.

The lady explained that her daughter had a pair who fought resulting in serious injury of one of them. I barged in and said that i knew someone who had a pair of dwarfs and one got killed by the other. The shop girl still insisted to only sell a pair at which point i lost it a bit and caused a scene.

She rushed off to speak to the manager while i talked to the lady who by then had decided to buy a Syrian. I asked her if she had a big enough cage and she said yes pointing at a tiny oval cage on a shelf nearby. I told her that this cage wasn't big enough for any hamster and she got a bit huffy but agreed not to buy a Syrian.

Shop girl comes back and said that, yes, she can buy one dwarf and suggested to buy a Robo. Lady liked the Robos cute faces and shop girl then suggested to buy two Robos because they don't fight and like company. The lady asked if her cage was big enough for two, pointing at the tiny cage and shop girl replied, yes that's fine.

I honestly despaired at this point but at the same time was fuming mad at the irresponsibility of this shop to put the lives of hamsters at risk by insisting on selling the dwarfs in pairs or ending up in cages that are too small for two at best.

I used to keep an open and non judgemental mind about this pet shop and understand that they have too many hamsters in the current lockdown climate but now feel that they couldn't care less about the wellfare of their animals.

I was also extremely frustrated that i couldn't do anything about it but thought that at least i was able to save one dwarf by taking one home with me which i did.

Social distancing in place i wasn't able to handle or chose, another shop girl put a cardboard box in the tank and took the one that walked into it out while i was asked to go to the till and pay in the meantime which i didn't because i chose to watch while she took my Lucky Dip hamster out.

It's probably a boy, of uncertain age who my OH named Ozzy and who now lives in Percy's former residence before he moved to the garden. I had a chat with Percy about it while i put the washing out this morning.

[Merlina]

Three days ago I also ended up with a surprise lucky dip hamster from pets at home. I didn't think they were selling any but they said they now were as they were overrun with babies. Needless to say I felt sorry for them all squashed in together and having lost my old boy 2months ago was in a position to take one. They did let me look at them from a distance and in a hurry but one came over to me so the choice was made easy! He is a sable banded syrian of unknown age (I would guess 8 - 9 weeks) and seems to have a sweet and curious nature although I am only talking to him to settle him in at present. He ran to me this morning and took food from my hand really gently so he seems happy and calm so far!! His name is Skarloey. I hate to think of these gentle intelligent little creatures ending up sold as kids "toys" and like to think I have saved one from that. The pet shop did actually query what size cage I had and asked if I knew how big a hamster could get but I am sure they would still sell to someone unsuitable. Interestingly the girl said that on top of four cages of baby syrians they were sending her eight dwarves and she didn't know where they were going to find eight cages for them as they often had to separate them. Maybe some stores (or staff) are more caring than others? We can only hope.

[Ria P]

Yes, it does seem to vary from shop to shop. Some shop assistants seem to care more than others but to try and sell dwarfs in pairs only is just so wrong. I will go back and ask to speak to the manager but had to calm myself down first.

Even though buying a hamster from a shop doesn't make them rescues, it feels that way because they really could go to anybody. In fact, hamsters in rescues have a far better chance to go to appropriate housing because people get vetted before they can adopt.

Your hamster sounds lovely and Skarloey is a very unusual name. Does the name have a meaning? I'd love to see a photo of your hamster if possible.

[Pebbles82]

Congratulations on your new hamster Ozzy. Yes I think stores vary. It sounds like at the moment they want as many gone as they can so suggesting pairs possibly. I've been in a similar situation in a pet shop and subtly suggested which cage to the buyers. But it's hard - we adopted our robo from an accidental litter and it upset me to see how the parents were living in small tall cages - risky -with daily cleanouts. I tried to diplomatically make suggestions by email afterwards but I'm not sure it made much difference. I explained that the reason they take the bedding out of the house and then put it back again is because they like to forage for it- so I think that got through at least.

[Vierville]

Ahhh Ria P first of all congratulations on getting Ozzy! I wish you a long and very happy time with him!

I feel the same way about hamsters from pet shops - one isn't exactly 'rescuing' by definition and one is giving business to what is at best a trade that is questionable in its ethics but in reality taking a hamster home from a pet shop IS giving it a better life if you are going to look after it well and give it the love and care it deserves, especially when there is every chance that the hamster could be bought as a 'toy' for some child who will get bored of it or worse.

I had the same dilemma with Baldrick who was being very poorly looked after in a pet shop and he is an ABSOLUTE delight with the softest, most outgoing and curious nature. Buying him from a petshop to give him a better living situation was the right thing to do.

I also agree with you that hamsters in rescues are probably in a better position than ones in pet shops. At least they are looked after by people who have some love and knowledge and experience in hamster care and their new owners will be vetted and will be bound by an adoption agreement.

Sorry, on to your pet shop experience. I am apalled that the shop assistant suggested they must be bought in a pair. It shows either a complete lack of knowledge of hamster care or a completely uncaring attitute to just 'shift product' at the expense -quite likely - of a hamster's life. This is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

I'm really not at all surprised that they also suggested a cage that is unsuitably small. In my experience almost all the cages that are available in pet stores are too small and are not suitable to a hamster's needs, some are even outright horriffic.

I've only been into one branch of this pet store and, since I come from South Africa I was expecting it to be much better and have a much wider range than the pet stores we have here but to be honest the range of cages was alarming in that none were even really big enough for a dwarf. In their defence, they had one beautiful little dwarf in a tank on his/her own and it looked like he was being well looked after, there was even a slice of kiwi fruit in his bowl which I wouldn't expect at a pet shop.

I really think you must speak to the store manager Ria, in fact better than that would be to contact the head office. In big companies, everyone is always scared of the wrath of the person above them and if you contact the store manager, they may well not do anything as they will not be accountable to anyone to rectify the situation.

Good on you for stepping in and telling the customer what a hamster's needs realistically are and for having the courage to confront the shop assistant.

[Merlina]

Thanks Ria P. Skarloey is a welsh name and means lake in the woods I believe. He is one of the engines in Thomas the Tank Engine and I have liked the name since my son was small enough to watch it many years ago. Ten hamsters later I finally have one that suits the name!

[Thin Lizzy]

When I was in a pet shop 3 weeks ago there were signs up saying that no animals were for sale due to covid19 and I was pleased. The thought of parents coming in and buying their kids a hamster to keep them entertained filled me with dread. Last year when I was in this pet shop, I overheard a female member of staff suggesting buying dwarfs in pairs and then pointed to a tiny cage and that they lived well together, well I had to say something and told the woman that yes they can live together but the cage has to have 2 of everything however should they start to fight then they would need to be separated and I told her that cage she was recommended wasn't suitable for 1 let alone 2. The woman did take a bigger cage and only went for 1. I get so annoyed when people assume that because hamsters are small they don't need much space.

[Vierville]

Merlina, you did a good thing adopting Skarloey. I wish you many happy times together!

[Fluffagrams]

I've edited the name of this pet shop out of any relevant posts due to the forum's rules on naming and shaming.

I would like to remind everyone that any concerns or issues with the experiences they've had in store should be taken up with the relevant customer service department as they are best placed to look into the matter.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

I've edited the name of this pet shop out of any relevant posts due to the forum's rules on naming and shaming.

I would like to remind everyone that any concerns or issues with the experiences they've had in store should be taken up with the relevant customer service department as they are best placed to look into the matter.

I wasn't aware of this rule and do apologise.

I have emailed the CEO of the pet shop chain to express my concerns.