Looking for a breeder - where to start?

[barley]

As some of you have probably seen, Rupert my Syrian was put to sleep last Sunday :( I really hate seeing his empty cage and at some point, I'd really like another little Syrian to share my life with.

I am going on holiday for a week on the 21st November so I think it's best to wait until after then, but I don't really know how to go about finding a breeder? I know Pets At Home isn't the best place to get hams, and our local independent pet shop has recently closed down.

Google hasn't thrown much up!

I live in Essex, UK.

Where would I start in finding a reputable ham breeder?

[Vectis Hamstery]

A good place to start is contacting your regional hamster club - for you it would be the Southern Hamster Club. I think Roma Hamstery is in Essex so you could try there :)

[barley]

Just wanted to say thank you for the suggestion Vectis... I contacted Roma Hamstery on facebook and am now on her waiting list :)

[pinkneon]

Ooooh Barley, that sounds fun! :D I may hamnap your new arrival as Essex isn't too far from me ;)

[barley]

:lol: So you want to dognap my dog and hamnap my ham... not gonna give you my address that's for sure :lol: :lol: :D

[pinkneon]

LOL!!!! Should be moving soon anyway!

[barley]

I know this is a bit of an odd question, but I've never had a hamster brought from a breeder before, so I'm not too sure of the ''etiquette'' so to speak.

I contacted a hamstery on facebook and they were expecting a litter at the end of that month (October) and said they would put me on their list. October came & went and I didn't hear anything so I presumed there was nothing available in that litter for me. I messaged again mid November just to say I was still interested really, and they replied saying a litter was due in December and they'd be in contact. I've seen the pictures on facebook of this litter now they are born so waited to see if the breeder got in touch like they said. Still nothing by mid week (week just gone) so I messaged again... just a casual, how are the hams doing kinda thing, and letting the breeder know I was still interested in a ham of theirs - ie, I hadn't gone elsewhere in the meantime.

The message has been read but not replied to (I appriciate it's only been a few days and they're likely busy) but I don't really know what to do - I don't want to keep bugging them or start to annoy them by messaging, but equally I would like to bring a new ham home early/mid March, so don't want to hold out for this breeder if there isn't going to be anything available, and wonder if I should start looking elsewhere?

All a bit tricky really!

Just wondered if anyone had any advice? I'd really like to get a breeder ham rather than a pet shop one, but not 100% on the best way to go about it.

[Drago]

Have you tried checking in a local shelter/rescue group? Rescue hams can make just as good of pets as hams that are from breeders. In my opinion I would begin to look elsewhere. The breeder seems not to be too concerned with helping match a ham with a potential customer and that's bringing up some red flags. You say that you first contacted them in October and it's now January and you've yet to get a good answer or what it is you're asking for, and I personally don't feel that's a quality of a good, responsible breeder. They're not worth any more time or energy.

[Lilac_Dreams]

@barley breeders have long waiting lists, especially at this time of year because Hamsters do have trouble conceiving at this time of year because of the daylight hours which means a bit of a "back log" so to speak, in the waiting list. I would just wait a few more days and very politely email them asking if they were still happy that you are on their waiting list.

[pinkneon]

Barley, do you know if they have a long waiting list? It might be that they are contacting the people on the top of the list first (like first come first served maybe?) It may be worth contacting a couple more of there are any others local to you, or if you don't mind travelling a little bit then look at other breeders - Tuftyfluffs is in Borehamwood (I think!) but I'm not sure if that is too far from you? Depends where in Essex you are. You could try contacting her on Facebook, though she may well have a long list too. Also, if there are any shows coming up that you can get to then most of the time breeders have babies for sale there too!

[barley]

Have you tried checking in a local shelter/rescue group? Rescue hams can make just as good of pets as hams that are from breeders. In my opinion I would begin to look elsewhere. The breeder seems not to be too concerned with helping match a ham with a potential customer and that's bringing up some red flags. You say that you first contacted them in October and it's now January and you've yet to get a good answer or what it is you're asking for, and I personally don't feel that's a quality of a good, responsible breeder. They're not worth any more time or energy.

I would consider a rescue ham... and I know this sounds really awful, but given their such short little lives, I'd ideally prefer a baby that I could spend as long as possible with. There is a rescue not far from me at all though and I know they occasionally have small pets come in, so maybe I'll drop them an email.

@barley breeders have long waiting lists, especially at this time of year because Hamsters do have trouble conceiving at this time of year because of the daylight hours which means a bit of a "back log" so to speak, in the waiting list. I would just wait a few more days and very politely email them asking if they were still happy that you are on their waiting list.

Oh absolutely, I do appreciate that. I don't mind waiting but just a bit stumped at lack of info or any rough idea when I could possibly expect a ham. :)

Barley, do you know if they have a long waiting list? It might be that they are contacting the people on the top of the list first (like first come first served maybe?) It may be worth contacting a couple more of there are any others local to you, or if you don't mind travelling a little bit then look at other breeders - Tuftyfluffs is in Borehamwood (I think!) but I'm not sure if that is too far from you? Depends where in Essex you are. You could try contacting her on Facebook, though she may well have a long list too. Also, if there are any shows coming up that you can get to then most of the time breeders have babies for sale there too!

To be honest I have no idea how long their waiting list is, the lack of info/updates is quite frustrating. I absolutely appreciate they're busy people with lives of their own etc, and may have lots of people like me contacting them, but just didn't want to be forgotten about as such!

Borehamwood is about 1.5 hrs from me but I wouldn't mind traveling that distance for a good breeder. Where would I find out about hamster shows?

[pinkneon]

Shows are listed here on the NHC Web page :)

https://hamsters-uk.org/content/view/106/84/

[InkyPen]

With regards to rescue hams, I frequently see hamsters listed on gumtree that can only really be regarded as rescue hams, as they are evidently unwanted by their owner and are frequently living in totally unsuitable accommodation. If listed as being free to a good home, then they are in danger of becoming snake food. It's not unusual for them to be really quite young - sometimes only days or weeks out of the pet shop - before their owner realises that the kids aren't interested / they're more work than they thought / they're going on holiday / something else equally indicative of responsible pet ownership.

Unfortunately, I suspect that in a few weeks we will see a post-Christmas glut of such hamsters :(

[chesca_27]

You may be nearer the end of the waiting list for a hamster and that's why! Hamsters have fewer litters during winter months so you end up waiting longer for a hamster. It's not that the Hamstery want to keep you waiting, it's just that they may have a very long waiting list and are trying to do their best for the hamsters and not overbreed them.

I ended up waiting for many months for Larry-Jasper. He was supposed to be my 2015 Christmas present, but I didn't get him until June 12th 2016, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I was near the top of Tufty Fluff's waiting list, yet had to wait around 6-7 months because the breeding season started so late last year. Larry-Jasper was part of her first Winter White litter of the year, yet he was born April 27th. We would just send an email every month just to check we were still on the list and for any updates regarding pregnancies. We never got very detailed updates until Larry-Jasper was born, but Tufty Fluff sent us some photos and videos, which was nice.

I can confirm Tufty Fluff is in Borehamwood, as I live nearby. She breeds excellent hamsters, which are so friendly and healthy. Taming was virtually non-existent with Jasper, as a result. I would go to her again in a heartbeat for another ham (if I was allowed ;)). Her waiting list may be just as long though, so I'd message her on Facebook or email her. You will have to join the Tufty Fluff Hamsters group, though.

[barley]

As I've said before, I really really do not mind the waiting - it's just the lack of info that's frustrating and I don't know if I'm at the top/middle/bottom of the waiting list. If I am at the bottom, of course that's totally fine but it'd be good to know so I can plan accordingly :)

I'll try to find Tufty Fluff on Facebook :)

I hadn't even thought of Gumtree so will look there! It's always drummed into you in the dog world not to rehome dogs from free ad sites so I guess I automatically applied that to hams too. I'll definitely have a look on there when the time comes when I could actually get one - I've a few weekends away coming up before mid March so trying to wait until after then really.

Oh and pink neon thanks so much for the show list, will look!

[barley]

After little success with breeders for various reasons, I'll be scouring Gumtree for an unwanted young ham to join the family in a couple of weeks time :)

[Coco61]

Woo woo! I keep having a peek but they tend to be nearer you than me. So temptation has not been too great!

[flowerfairy]

Good luck with the search. Hope you find a cute hamster soon. Look forward to lovely piccies when you eventually do.