Introducing Dudley the Chinese hammy!

alisont · 03-13-2011, 09:06 AM

Hello - am new to the forum - not had hammies for about 15 + years but have had loads of syrians and dwarf hammies in my past.

When I was out the other day and sat on a bench I saw a box move slightly and something said to look in it and there was a tiny hammy!!!

Someone had dumped him in the cold/open on this bench near a pet shop, I don't judge people but do wish if they cant keep their pets they would hand them in at a vets/rescue.

Anyway I brought Dudley home on the bus and into work for a couple of hours then home on the train - he was so still I did wonder if he would make it and did consider diverting home via my vets but decided to just get him settled - once home he was much better but still quiet - had to keep him for a day in a small container cage but have got him a Mill House cage now and he loves it - he is so healthy and tame - will sit clinging to my hand and run up my arm - he is a delight

So some photos:

Have taken the wheel out as he cant move it and will get a silent spinner type?

I will also be swapping the shavings for megazorb - on the last bit of my bag and need that for my guinea so Dudley will have to have shavings this week and I'll try him on megazorb see which seems beter for him.

He has been added to the booking for a local small pets hotel as we go away at Easter - the owner there has had drarf hammies so he will be well cared for there.

Hope you think the set up is ok - I shall be adding to it and altering it no doubt as he settles in. He has made a nest of tissue/hay from a play hide box toy.

Got him on Harry Hammy food he seems to like and little tiny bits of vege but not fruit or carrot as know they can be prone to diabetes. I did give him a slice of apple the first night but nothing sweet since.

Am hoping they don't need mealworm or meat as I'm vegan so don't cook/use it!

How anyone could leave him there he is so tame and such a sweetie

delbert · 03-13-2011, 09:12 AM

awwwwww hes such a cutie, and thanks for rescuing him, i cant understand people who just dump animals like that, so cruel.

louisbs · 03-13-2011, 09:14 AM

He looks like a lovely happy chap now he has a forever home..
Well done for bringing the little guy home

selene16 · 03-13-2011, 10:01 AM

What a cutie! And what a lucky hammy to have been found by you

Pomegranate · 03-13-2011, 10:03 AM

I hate to think what could have happened if you hadn't found him; he's one lucky ham to have you!

Gillzy · 03-13-2011, 10:35 AM

Oh wow, it was like it was fate that you came across him, and I'm sooo glad you did! He's lovely!

Silent Spinners are great wheels (and easy to turn), the 6.5" would be best for your lil chinese!

And you don't HAVE to feed them any meat-type things. They get all the nutrition they need from the hamster mix, but treats are given for a bit of variety.

I still can't believe someone just left him there... but at least now we get to see him grow

I'm glad he's not too distressed by that awful event.

Womblehands · 03-13-2011, 11:34 AM

aww bless.. I agree it must have been fate.. what a lovely little lad

Debbie · 03-14-2011, 02:36 AM

Why oh why do people do things like this? It makes me so mad and if I ever caught someone dumping an animal........ grrrrrrrr!!! I guess there is the very slightest possibility that seeing as it was near a pet shop, someone may have bought him, sat down on the bench and when they got up forgot about him! But still, they don't deserve him!

Anyway!! Luckily for Dudley - I love the name! - he has ended up in a much better place than where he was and seems to be settling in very well. I adopted my first chinese a few weeks back and I am totally in love with her!!...........and Fred my syrian of course!!

alisont · 03-14-2011, 12:17 PM

I did ask in the pet shop but they had not sold any hamsters recently. Did leave my mobile number in case anyone called in but I really think he was left, and I'd be very reluctant to let him go elsewhere - he has a home for life here - he's settled in so well

I'm know what problems people can face and know it's not easy - but I really wish people would try and hand unwanted animals in at somewhere like a vets or rescue - it was so windy/cold that afternoon and he was not left with food or bedding - another half hour and the area would of been full of kids after school - his box would of been knocked off the bench, just so glad I looked inside the box - not something I normally do, I'd not normally sit there either but didnt want to take my drink on the bus so decided to have a 5 min break and sit down.

So glad I did!!!

marzipan · 03-14-2011, 12:32 PM

Dudley is very lucky to have you, i agree it must have been fate. he looks very happy to be in your hands, well done for finding him, and good job you had a drink before you got on the bus