Hamster tiny cage dilemma

[ThePiggyRoom]

I do small pet boarding and get quite a few hamsters to look after, most in cages too small. I do try and give advice on cage sizes where I can. Yesterday two rats and a Syrian hamster arrived. The Syrian is in probably in the tiniest cage I have ever seen, with no wheels or toys. She is three years old and it breaks my heart to think she has spent her whole life in such a small cage. She bar chews non stop and all the entrances are taped shut, because she tries to get out all the time! As soon as the owners had gone I moved her into a zoozone 2 and gave her a wheel. I can't face putting her back into that small cage, so I am thinking of getting a secondhand cage, or a bin cage and telling the owners it's an old cage I don't want anymore and they can have it. I have looked online and found a Duffy prestige cage for £15, it's not ideal, as it is still small 58cm by 30 something, but it's the biggest I can find locally. Alternatively I could make a bin cage (I am wishing I hadn't thrown all my old bin cages out now!). Does anyone know of a good size storage box that's not too expensive? I don't have an IKEA near by, so can't get a samla. I am only getting £10 for looking after her, so need it to be cheap as possible, I know it's going to cost more than £10, but I would rather lose money than send her home in that tiny cage.

[cypher]

That is heartbreaking, poor girl, I hope you can manage something to improve her life.
I don't know if it will be within the price & size range you're looking for but this bin (https://direct.asda.com/george/george-home/asda-clear-wheeled-storage-box-150l/001433195,default,pd.html) from Asda is a fairly good size for a bin cage.

[souffle]

You do need to be very careful moving a hamster this age to a bin cage where they cannot see out and may get very stressed over a move. If she is doing well in the zoozone then you should be able to guage how she would do in a bin cage. I'd try and persuade them to upgrade her.

[ThePiggyRoom]

You do need to be very careful moving a hamster this age to a bin cage where they cannot see out and may get very stressed over a move. If she is doing well in the zoozone then you should be able to guage how she would do in a bin cage. I'd try and persuade them to upgrade her.

I thought of that thanks, but I would put a mesh panel on the side, so she could see out. She seems very happy in the zoozone and was running in her wheel a lot last night. They came to see my set up before booking with me and I suggested a bin cage, or a detolf to them then and they weren't interested unfortunately.

That is heartbreaking, poor girl, I hope you can manage something to improve her life.
I don't know if it will be within the price & size range you're looking for but this bin (https://direct.asda.com/george/george-home/asda-clear-wheeled-storage-box-150l/001433195,default,pd.html) from Asda is a fairly good size for a bin cage.

That bin looks perfect thank you. The nearest Asda is about 20 miles away though, I will get it if I can't find a nearer one.

[Fluffagrams]

I would advise handling this sort of situation gently as you are more likely to get a positive outcome by talking to the hamster's owners and finding out what their and the hamster's situation is.

Do you know why the hamster is in a smaller cage? I have one of my Chinese in a cage at the moment which would be considered to be quite small however there are reasons for him being in there and if someone told me, without knowing anything about him or his circumstances, that he needed to be in a bigger cage then I'd be less likely to accept advice too.

When you speak to the owners, you could explain that you felt that the hamster seemed frustrated and bored with the lack of toys in her cage so as you had a larger cage available, you thought you'd see if more space would help her feel settled. You can then go on to explain that the attempted escapes and constant bar chewing have stopped now she's feeling more settled. If you have a cage to offer them then great but it's worth bearing in mind that sometimes people just don't have the funds available at that point in time to buy anything bigger or have the skills or tools to build a bin cage.

Personally I would leave all the stuff about 'research' and the old RSPCA guidelines out of any discussion as those sort of things can come across as a bit preachy at times but if you focus on the benefits you have seen to the hamster as an individual then they may be more open to advice.

[ThePiggyRoom]

I would advise handling this sort of situation gently as you are more likely to get a positive outcome by talking to the hamster's owners and finding out what their and the hamster's situation is.

Do you know why the hamster is in a smaller cage? I have one of my Chinese in a cage at the moment which would be considered to be quite small however there are reasons for him being in there and if someone told me, without knowing anything about him or his circumstances, that he needed to be in a bigger cage then I'd be less likely to accept advice too.

When you speak to the owners, you could explain that you felt that the hamster seemed frustrated and bored with the lack of toys in her cage so as you had a larger cage available, you thought you'd see if more space would help her feel settled. You can then go on to explain that the attempted escapes and constant bar chewing have stopped now she's feeling more settled. If you have a cage to offer them then great but it's worth bearing in mind that sometimes people just don't have the funds available at that point in time to buy anything bigger or have the skills or tools to build a bin cage.

Personally I would leave all the stuff about 'research' and the old RSPCA guidelines out of any discussion as those sort of things can come across as a bit preachy at times but if you focus on the benefits you have seen to the hamster as an individual then they may be more open to advice.

That's good advice, thank you. I'm pretty sure from talking to them, that it's ignorance more than a health reason. The two rats are very overweight, which they seem unaware of (even after they saw the other rats I have here and even commented on the size difference). I was going to say about the bar chewing being the reason for moving her into a bigger cage (it was very loud) and that she seemed happier in the new cage and that they can have it if they want it.

[mangoandmimi]

Educating them in a very nice way tends to work and they often then ask for caging advice to buy their own I’ve found. The odd few don’t care and for those I’d probably offer the cage along with the hamster. Explaining nicely (not condescending/information overload) does usually work as as you’ve said, most the time it’s ignorance and not that they’re deliberately giving their hamster unsuitable living conditions! Best of luck.

[ThePiggyRoom]

I am wondering this morning if I should report them to the RSPCA. The rats are so fat they can hardly move and one of them breaths very noisily. They know about the breathing issue, because they mentioned it when they arrived. She said something along the lines of that's how Gus Gus breathes. He also has a skin problem on his tail, which she said was just excema (can't spell!), but hasn't taken him to the vet about it.
I don't know if the RSPCA would do anything though and I don't think it would do my business any good by reporting them.

[ThePiggyRoom]

This is the cage the hamster was in.

[Pebbles82]

It doesn't seem as if they are the kind to let the hammy roam free. I would be tempted to say their hamster had died and keep it! (Which is not really ethical or good for the pet sitting business plus it's lying). The cage is very tiny and not big enough to fit a wheel in, which is important. It is probably for space and cost reasons they have them in small cages. It's a tricky one because even if you gave them your Zoozone 2 they may just say they haven't got space for it and want her back in her old cage.

What conditions were they in when they arrived? (Enough bedding? Somewhere to nest? Something to chew on? Able to have normal behaviours? If not then it doesn't meet the welfare needs.

The 2006 Animal Welfare Act says there's a need to provide for the five welfare needs:


need for a suitable environment
need for a suitable diet
need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals
need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

It may be a bit borderline - I'd say a cage that size for a Syrian doesn't allow for normal behaviour patterns and could cause suffering. Having a wheel isn't considered essential but being able to exercise (normal behaviour patterns) is essential. So if they let the hamster free roam daily it's probably not a welfare issue. But they would probably have told you if that was the case.

Three years old is very old and she sounds quite well and active but had responded positively to the upgrade. It wouldn't do any harm to ring the RSPCA and ask for advice. I wouldn't make a bin cage - they may refuse to take it. The RSPCA may advise on how to deal with the situation with some authority - eg they may give you the authority to be able to say that unless the hamster has xyz you unfortunately will not be able to return it. That would be hard to have to say. But without some authority you can't really do that. The only consolation is- if the hamster is 3 and seems in good health then maybe they do give it lots of time and attention and out of cage time.

I would be tempted to say you had to move her to a larger cage because she became so stressed after they left and she is now settled in that cage and enjoying the wheel and say you will let them have the Zoozone 2 if they will agree to let her stay in it as it's better for an older hamster as they start to struggle with levels and tubes and are better with more floorspace. But they probably won't want to spend any money on lots of bedding, wheel, toys etc so there's no guarantee it will remain a suitable environment. So I'd ring the RSPCA and ask for some advice on how to handle this. Yes they are busy and may not have time to come and look, but they do rely on animal rescues to take a lot of pets they can't house so they will probably at least advise you on how to handle this.

If you've already advised them about cages and they're not interested then asking advice from the RSPCA may be the way to go.

[ThePiggyRoom]

It doesn't seem as if they are the kind to let the hammy roam free. I would be tempted to say their hamster had died and keep it! (Which is not really ethical or good for the pet sitting business plus it's lying). The cage is very tiny and not big enough to fit a wheel in, which is important. It is probably for space and cost reasons they have them in small cages. It's a tricky one because even if you gave them your Zoozone 2 they may just say they haven't got space for it and want her back in her old cage.

What conditions were they in when they arrived? (Enough bedding? Somewhere to nest? Something to chew on? Able to have normal behaviours? If not then it doesn't meet the welfare needs.

The 2006 Animal Welfare Act says there's a need to provide for the five welfare needs:


need for a suitable environment
need for a suitable diet
need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals
need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

It may be a bit borderline - I'd say a cage that size for a Syrian doesn't allow for normal behaviour patterns and could cause suffering. Having a wheel isn't considered essential but being able to exercise (normal behaviour patterns) is essential. So if they let the hamster free roam daily it's probably not a welfare issue. But they would probably have told you if that was the case.

Three years old is very old and she sounds quite well and active but had responded positively to the upgrade. It wouldn't do any harm to ring the RSPCA and ask for advice. I wouldn't make a bin cage - they may refuse to take it. The RSPCA may advise on how to deal with the situation with some authority - eg they may give you the authority to be able to say that unless the hamster has xyz you unfortunately will not be able to return it. That would be hard to have to say. But without some authority you can't really do that. The only consolation is- if the hamster is 3 and seems in good health then maybe they do give it lots of time and attention and out of cage time.

I would be tempted to say you had to move her to a larger cage because she became so stressed after they left and she is now settled in that cage and enjoying the wheel and say you will let them have the Zoozone 2 if they will agree to let her stay in it as it's better for an older hamster as they start to struggle with levels and tubes and are better with more floorspace. But they probably won't want to spend any money on lots of bedding, wheel, toys etc so there's no guarantee it will remain a suitable environment. So I'd ring the RSPCA and ask for some advice on how to handle this. Yes they are busy and may not have time to come and look, but they do rely on animal rescues to take a lot of pets they can't house so they will probably at least advise you on how to handle this.

If you've already advised them about cages and they're not interested then asking advice from the RSPCA may be the way to go.

Thanks for the very helpful reply. I think the rats meet most of their welfare needs, their cage is big enough, they have sufficient bedding, food and chew toys. The hamster had sufficient bedding (sawdust), a tiny house with no nesting material and no chews/toys or anything else except a water bottle. I think she spends her whole time trying to chew her way out, as the bars are very chewed and all the exits are taped/fixed shut.

I did think about telling them she had died, but she belongs to a boy who looks around 9 or 10 and he is absolutely devoted to her and his mother said he will be devastated when she dies.

Re her age the mother told me she was 3 years old, but I noticed this morning that she has put two and a half on the booking form, either way she is a good age for a hamster. She is happy and friendly so has not been mistreated except for the tiny cage.

I will ring the rspca and see what they say. If I do end up giving them a cage, I will also include a wheel and some toys. It will cost me quite a bit of money, but I would rather do that and help the hamster. I would imagine as soon as she dies a replacement hamster will end up in the tiny cage, so in a way I will be helping two hammies.

[chesca_27]

I can't really give any extra advice, since everyone else seems to have covered it, but I do want to say I really admire the way you're dealing with the situation and how you are willing to give up a cage and wheel to help this hamster have a better life. I've never used a hamster boarder but I've used plenty of guinea pig boarders and not one of them seems to care as deeply as you do.

[ThePiggyRoom]

I can't really give any extra advice, since everyone else seems to have covered it, but I do want to say I really admire the way you're dealing with the situation and how you are willing to give up a cage and wheel to help this hamster have a better life. I've never used a hamster boarder but I've used plenty of guinea pig boarders and not one of them seems to care as deeply as you do.

Aw, thank you, that has made my day! The hardest thing I find about boarding is that all the animals aren't treated as they should be. I try to make sure all my cages and hutches are above the minimum standard and educate where I can. Giving this little hammy a better home means more to me than the money it will cost me. At this rate I don't think boarding is going to make me rich 😂

[Pebbles82]

How about a slight upgrade - ie not to something as big as an Alaska (they may find it too big for their space) but better than she has now. Although an Alaska is cheapest. A standard duna multy maybe? They cost about £33. Or this - it's slightly smaller than the standard duna multy but it's low and has a good built in house so she can build a proper nest and it's space saving. I have one I got as a holiday cage a couple of years ago. Silly little top doors but the whole cage top lifts off very easily. An 11" trixie wheel wouldn't fit in either of them but an 8" would. A lower cage would be better for an older hammy too. Reckon she might like a duna multy though if she likes the Zoozone. Start charging £25 instead of £10 to recoup the losses :-) I just paid £40 for a week for a petsitter!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skyline-Ted-67cm-35cm-Blue/dp/B002CX27N6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534698113&sr=8-1&keywords=Skyline+ted

[ThePiggyRoom]

How about a slight upgrade - ie not to something as big as an Alaska (they may find it too big for their space) but better than she has now. Although an Alaska is cheapest. A standard duna multy maybe? They cost about £33. Or this - it's slightly smaller than the standard duna multy but it's low and has a good built in house so she can build a proper nest and it's space saving. I have one I got as a holiday cage a couple of years ago. Silly little top doors but the whole cage top lifts off very easily. An 11" trixie wheel wouldn't fit in either of them but an 8" would. A lower cage would be better for an older hammy too. Reckon she might like a duna multy though if she likes the Zoozone. Start charging £25 instead of £10 to recoup the losses :-) I just paid £40 for a week for a petsitter!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skyline-Ted-67cm-35cm-Blue/dp/B002CX27N6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534698113&sr=8-1&keywords=Skyline+ted

Thanks for the suggestions, I did think that getting something slightly bigger might be the way to go. The skyline cage looks good, but is out of stock at the moment and the hamster is going home Saturday. I have found an Alaska cage on gumtree and it comes with a trixie wheel and lots of toys, but as you said, they may not have space for such a large cage.

[Pebbles82]

Fingers crossed they take it on board. Maybe when they come to get her and see her in the Zoozone and you can smile and tell them she's a very old hamster now and soon she won't be able to climb tubes and would be happier with more space at floor level and how she loves her wheel and you would give them a cage and a wheel that isn't quite so big as the Zoozone but would make her old age happy and comfortable .... Just say you hope they don't mind but you think she really needs a different cage for her ongoing welfare, and the Alaska is the cage that is considered the basic standard for a Syrian hamster and pet shops just sell small cages for money. Maybe suggest that it could sit easily on top of a chest of drawers in a bedroom and she won't try and escape from this one.

I would also have a problem in returning her in that cage because the one level on its own would be quite cruel for a fully grown syrian hamster and she will be unable to use the tube to the top level as she ages in the next month or two. You could print out these four RSPCA sheets to give them and sort of kindly and diplomatically point out that their hamster needs more space in the cage for her welfare, especially as she gets older, and a dark house inside it and a wheel and if they agree with this and the information you can give them the Alaska cage and Trixie wheel and although it takes up more space it would easily sit on top of a chest of drawers. And that hamsters in that kind of cage usually don't try to escape because they have enough space at night to run around.

If they refuse all that and insist on keeping her in the same cage then maybe ask them for an assurance that they will let her out every day. And that is probably all you can do. Although I would still be tempted to ring the RSPCA before the owners come back and say to them you feel you can't return the hamster unless the owners upgrade the cage from the current one and see what they say.

This general page stresses the need to "care for them properly" and the duty under the animal welfare act - but has a friendly tone to it all.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters

This page is clear about them needing a lot of space at night and a wheel for exercise.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters/behaviour

This page has the link to "Home cage for hamsters" at the bottom of the page which opens as a pdf and can be printed out. It's a bit vague and has some unusual suggestions for bedding! But the main thing is it does say they need a lot of space and "generous" space. It also has the link to "Shelters for hamsters" which also opens as a pdf that can be printed out. And that makes it clear that they need a house for nesting and hoarding that's dark inside - which also makes it clear the cage needs to be big enough to fit a decent sized house in.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters/environment

[souffle]

Why not offer the larger cage 'on loan' for the rest of her life? That way they will be able to bring it back but can see how she is settled in it while they have her?

[Pebbles82]

That's a good idea!

[ThePiggyRoom]

Fingers crossed they take it on board. Maybe when they come to get her and see her in the Zoozone and you can smile and tell them she's a very old hamster now and soon she won't be able to climb tubes and would be happier with more space at floor level and how she loves her wheel and you would give them a cage and a wheel that isn't quite so big as the Zoozone but would make her old age happy and comfortable .... Just say you hope they don't mind but you think she really needs a different cage for her ongoing welfare, and the Alaska is the cage that is considered the basic standard for a Syrian hamster and pet shops just sell small cages for money. Maybe suggest that it could sit easily on top of a chest of drawers in a bedroom and she won't try and escape from this one.

I would also have a problem in returning her in that cage because the one level on its own would be quite cruel for a fully grown syrian hamster and she will be unable to use the tube to the top level as she ages in the next month or two. You could print out these four RSPCA sheets to give them and sort of kindly and diplomatically point out that their hamster needs more space in the cage for her welfare, especially as she gets older, and a dark house inside it and a wheel and if they agree with this and the information you can give them the Alaska cage and Trixie wheel and although it takes up more space it would easily sit on top of a chest of drawers. And that hamsters in that kind of cage usually don't try to escape because they have enough space at night to run around.

If they refuse all that and insist on keeping her in the same cage then maybe ask them for an assurance that they will let her out every day. And that is probably all you can do. Although I would still be tempted to ring the RSPCA before the owners come back and say to them you feel you can't return the hamster unless the owners upgrade the cage from the current one and see what they say.

This general page stresses the need to "care for them properly" and the duty under the animal welfare act - but has a friendly tone to it all.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters

This page is clear about them needing a lot of space at night and a wheel for exercise.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters/behaviour

This page has the link to "Home cage for hamsters" at the bottom of the page which opens as a pdf and can be printed out. It's a bit vague and has some unusual suggestions for bedding! But the main thing is it does say they need a lot of space and "generous" space. It also has the link to "Shelters for hamsters" which also opens as a pdf that can be printed out. And that makes it clear that they need a house for nesting and hoarding that's dark inside - which also makes it clear the cage needs to be big enough to fit a decent sized house in.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters/environment

Thanks for all the links, I will print them out today. I think I will also either write out some guidelines on all small pets and put them on my website, or put links to all the info. I haven't rung the rspca yet, I am a little worried that if the rspca step in, she will write a bad review. Then other people won't book their animals in with me. I don't want to lose the money, but also I will lose the opportunity to educate people where I can about the correct size cages, food etc. Also, if they take the animals off them, what is to stop them going out and buying more? I am worried about the rats though. They are so fat that they can't climb and are permanently stuck on the bottom of their cage.

We went and got the Alaska last night, I will move her into it tonight. It was £25, but it did come with a wheel and some toys, but no house, so I will have to find a cheap one before Saturday when she goes home. I will have to measure it to make sure, but I think it would fit on top of the rats cage, as long as the rats cage is kept on the floor, that would be an option maybe if they are short of space.

[ThePiggyRoom]

Why not offer the larger cage 'on loan' for the rest of her life? That way they will be able to bring it back but can see how she is settled in it while they have her?

I did think of that, but what if they get another hamster after she dies?

[souffle]

If they were to get another hamster then by then they will see that they must have a larger cage for it as they need that and will get one set up. At least they care enough to arrange holiday care for their little ones so they must be fairly responsible. Could you offer them the cage at the price you bought it for? A cardboard box house would be fine I'd imagine!

[ThePiggyRoom]

If they were to get another hamster then by then they will see that they must have a larger cage for it as they need that and will get one set up. At least they care enough to arrange holiday care for their little ones so they must be fairly responsible. Could you offer them the cage at the price you bought it for? A cardboard box house would be fine I'd imagine!

That's true. Ok, I will loan them the cage, unless they want to buy it from me.

Thanks to everyone for your help, I will update you after they have picked her up.

[Pebbles82]

Fingers crossed xxx I am sure they will take your kind care in the way it is intended. Also think cardboard box will do as a house - and they will be able to see she has built a big nest in it :-). A biggish one might be good - shoebox? Not man size obviously :-)

Did the cage and toys include a litter tray? Just thinking if they see her in her big nest and using a litter tray that could be quite persuasive. Most people tend to be deterred by the amount of bedding needed (cost) for a larger cage so seeing her use a litter tray may help you explain to them that they don't need to change the substrate very often so it saves on money in the long run. Doesn't really matter what they put in the litter tray - even substrate would do - as long as they only have to empty that mostly. It would be a good experience for the little boy to learn about this things and what hamsters like.

That is a bit sad about the rats. How old are they? I assume older rats don't climb much? If they are younger then it is a bit cruel. If they are older then I would maybe leave it. My relatives once had a budgie that got too fat to fly - awful looking back on it but he still liked to chirrup at them and didn't seem unhappy.

[ThePiggyRoom]

Fingers crossed xxx I am sure they will take your kind care in the way it is intended. Also think cardboard box will do as a house - and they will be able to see she has built a big nest in it :-). A biggish one might be good - shoebox? Not man size obviously :-)

Did the cage and toys include a litter tray? Just thinking if they see her in her big nest and using a litter tray that could be quite persuasive. Most people tend to be deterred by the amount of bedding needed (cost) for a larger cage so seeing her use a litter tray may help you explain to them that they don't need to change the substrate very often so it saves on money in the long run. Doesn't really matter what they put in the litter tray - even substrate would do - as long as they only have to empty that mostly. It would be a good experience for the little boy to learn about this things and what hamsters like.

That is a bit sad about the rats. How old are they? I assume older rats don't climb much? If they are younger then it is a bit cruel. If they are older then I would maybe leave it. My relatives once had a budgie that got too fat to fly - awful looking back on it but he still liked to chirrup at them and didn't seem unhappy.

Sorry for the delay replying, I have been very busy.

The cage and toys didn't come with a litter tray, but I put one in, with some sand in it. I also put one of my houses in. I didn't have a suitable cardboard box, plus I wanted something permanent that they could continue to use.

The rats are three years old, which is quite old for rats. A lady came to pick up her ten rats yesterday and she rescues rats, so I showed her the two fat ones. She said they were very overweight and that old rats normally are thin. I tried holding a treat to persuade them to come out the door of their cage and they were unable to climb out. She also said the skin problem on the tail, was due to them being too fat to wash themselves.

The owners came yesterday evening to pick them up. The father came with two kids and I explained that I had to take her out of the old cage because she bar chewed constantly and was driving us nuts and that she was much happier in the bigger cage, as she had plenty to do and loved the wheel. I said they were welcome to borrow the cage for the lifetime of the hamster. The father straight out refused, saying there wasn't room in the car. I suggested making two trips (they only live 5 minutes away), but he wasn't interested. I also mentioned that the rats were rather fat. When he was outside loading the rat cage into his car, I told the kids that if they changed their minds they could have the cage anytime and they said they would ask mum. I have to say I nearly burst into tears when they left at the thought of the hamster in that awful cage for ever. Five minutes later though the mother phoned and said her son was very upset that he wasn't looking after his hamster properly and could she buy the cage! I sold it to her for £20, so only ended up losing £5 and to be honest the toys and hamster food I kept cost more than that!

She also said the rats had been to the vets last week and that she had been told to put them on a diet and was going to start it as soon as she came back from holiday. I have to say that I don't entirely believe her, as she said they weren't fat when she dropped them off with me. At least she is aware that they are overweight now and hopefully will do something about it.

[cypher]

That's really great that the ham now has the new cage, wheel & some toys to enjoy, you did really well there!
Hope the rats fare better now too.

[Pebbles82]

So stressful for you xxx I am glad the Mother got back to you and bought the cage - that does suggest they will use it. They were maybe scared you would report them to the RSPCA. Well done for saying to the child to talk to their Mother about it (and shame she wasn't there to pick them up!). You have done something very good there - educated the child how to look after a hamster (because their parents didn't know about it).

Did the Mother come and collect the cage?

[ThePiggyRoom]

So stressful for you xxx I am glad the Mother got back to you and bought the cage - that does suggest they will use it. They were maybe scared you would report them to the RSPCA. Well done for saying to the child to talk to their Mother about it (and shame she wasn't there to pick them up!). You have done something very good there - educated the child how to look after a hamster (because their parents didn't know about it).

Did the Mother come and collect the cage?

The mother and father came back to pick the cage up about half an hour after ringing. That's when she said that the rats had been to the vets.I offered again to let them borrow the cage, but she said when this hamster dies they will be getting another one straight away, as the boy will be so upset, so they wanted to buy it. So maybe I have helped at least two hamsters, which made my day :-) I took the opportunity to explain why they need a big wheel and about using a litter tray and some safe cheap nesting materials. She even asked me what the bedding was. I think the kids and mother genuinely want to do the right thing, they are just ignorant about the proper care of the animals, I think the dad just wants it to be cheap and isn't interested in animal welfare though. The mother even left me a nice review on my Facebook page :-)

[Pebbles82]

That's really nice! Yes Dads can often think more about finances than hamsters!

[JennySTL]

This makes me so happy reading this. We are lucky that there are people like you in the world looking out for animals. =D>

[ThePiggyRoom]

This makes me so happy reading this. We are lucky that there are people like you in the world looking out for animals. =D>

Aw, thank you Jenny, that's made my day!