Help! Is this considered abuse?

[SnoWolf]

I didn’t know where to post this and I wasn’t sure what to do so as usual I’ve come seeking help. There’s this online user on Facebook that I encountered who doesn’t take good care of their hamsters and showed obvious signs of not caring and ignoring advice even though they have been given it in a mild and tactful manner. I live in Singapore and this person is part of a hamster Facebook group. Please do not dig them up and shame them or bully them, as this isn’t what this post is about. Some of the things this person did is keeping Syrians together, having them use a 14-15cm wheel (it looks about that size). I’m not sure about anything else they’ve done but as far as I can tell they couldn’t care less about what other people feedback to them, and are quite stubborn in their beliefs. I wanted to report this via an online method but for some reason that’s not available and the only way is to report via a phone call. As much as I know what they are doing is wrong I’m not very sure the extent of its severity. Is this considered animal abuse? Should I phone it in and report it? I’m afraid of being brushed off as a nuisance case as to be very frank not many people feel the need to stick up for hamsters as much as let’s say, cats or dogs. Their hamsters aren’t emaciated or in dirty disgusting conditions, and they genuinely seem to love and care for them but they’re doing so in a wrong manner. I’m very conflicted and am wondering if I should even report this at all. I am really really hoping for help and advice.

[Pebbles82]

I am not sure there is much you can do if they have already been informed in a mild and tactful manner that Syrians shouldn't be kept together and need a larger wheel. Unless you have an animal welfare organisation in Singapore who would take this seriously. The recourse in the Uk would be to contact the RSPCA and tell them some animals are being kept in unsuitable conditions - but there may not be an animal welfare organisation that is interested in Singapore? That would be the route to go if there is. But you would also need to know where these hamsters are so someone could go round there.

Sometimes when you can't change things (and there are a lot of unsuitable things going on in the world) the only way you can help is to make it more public what hamster care should be - eg start a blog and back things up with research, or write to Politicians asking them to improve animal welfare laws, or volunteer for an animal welfare organisation. We just have to do what we can. And sometimes people who won't listen find out the hard way. If this person loves and cares for their hamsters then that will help balance out some of the mistakes and fingers crossed they don't kill each other. But if you do want someone to point that out to her then contact an animal welfare organisation and maybe they can send her some information. However some people just think they know best and have their own ideas and won't listen.

[SnoWolf]

Thanks serendipity ur advice rly helped. I couldn’t report to the government side because as you said I do need the person’s address and everything. I’m not even sure if they’re allowed to breed hamsters but it seems like they claim to be experienced. Some even bathe their hamsters in water occasionally? At this point in time I don’t think there’s anything I can do and to avoid being banned from the group I decided to refrain from chiding them and telling them info that they didn’t wish to hear. I hope that they will be convinced otherwise in the future but for now I’m just going to wait, be respectful and hope for the best.

[HamsterOfficial]

I feel like in a way it's considered abuse, because the person has chosen to keep the hamsters that way after being told by people the suitable way of doing things. Instead of learning and using the advice positively the person has ignored it. I'd definitely contact a local animal welfare organization.