Gumtree again

[BrainGirl]

I tried to get some interest in hamsters going when I lived in town. I thought it would be fun to encourage people to learn about their hamsters' needs by getting together as a group and making toys or talking about DIY cages since we can't get properly-sized ones here that are meant for hams! Maybe no one saw the ad but I never had any interest. Now that I've moved, maybe I should try again!

[Munchalot]

Good idea, BrainGirl. I think you should definitely try it out in your new area!

I try to make people a bit more interested about their pet when they come into the pet shop. I try to cover as many care points as I can, and the vast majority of those things they have no clue about! I find the biggest problem with people getting bored of their hamsters or not properly caring for them, is because they simply don't know anything about them! I've found that the more I tell people, the more their interest grows, and therefor they take their animal seriously, and start grabbing more off the shelf than just shavings and cheap food.
All it takes is a little education, so maybe people might start taking hamsters seriously. They are not just 'pocket-money-pets' that run on a wheel for 2 years then die (I really want to slap people when they say this....) - there is so much more to them! x

[BrainGirl]

AAARGH. Can you suggest to those people that they get a couple of insects or sea monkeys? They won't even need to buy them a wheel then

[SinNyx]

I have a facebook page on stopping puppy mills...on it I did a post about rodent mills and everyone was so shocked, even people involved in rescues for years knew nothing about rodent mills or never even thought of the background of their hamsters.
There is a lot people can be educated on about hamsters - if only it was so simple...things would be so much easier if pet shops provided better information...even RSPCA leaflets instead of their own. It would make a lot of hammies happier.

[BrainGirl]

I've been tempted to print out the RSPCA's pamphlets and leave them around. Our own SPCA has very little good info on rodents. It's ok but it's not detailed and the "good example" they provide of a hamster habitat is a 20 gallon tank with a wire mesh wheel and some cardboard tubes. What's sad is that it's still far better than what most hamsters get here!

[Munchalot]

Originally Posted by SinNyx

I have a facebook page on stopping puppy mills...on it I did a post about rodent mills and everyone was so shocked, even people involved in rescues for years knew nothing about rodent mills or never even thought of the background of their hamsters.
There is a lot people can be educated on about hamsters - if only it was so simple...things would be so much easier if pet shops provided better information...even RSPCA leaflets instead of their own. It would make a lot of hammies happier.

It's sad isn't it? :/ How are these companies allowed to go on like this totally unexposed to the public? The media find the idea of puppy farms to be horrific, and any such place found is raided and plastered all over the news. Why are rodents different? :/

It's just so sad to know just how much people are left in the dark. No wonder rodents are so poorly treated.

I think it ridiculous that most people have no clue that there are two species of Russian, because these companies want to hide that fact so they can breed whatever they like. It's disgusting.

[SinNyx]

Originally Posted by Munchalot

It's sad isn't it? :/ How are these companies allowed to go on like this totally unexposed to the public? The media find the idea of puppy farms to be horrific, and any such place found is raided and plastered all over the news. Why are rodents different? :/

It's just so sad to know just how much people are left in the dark. No wonder rodents are so poorly treated.

It is sad...it really angers me, but what can you really do? If more people knew about it, then sure! I have to admit I have talked to a few people before in pet shops while they have been looking at hamsters to buy and given them some information and many were so shocked, and such nice people too! Very animal friendly, very keen to know more, just not having the direct option to get it, especially in store.
Also, the fact that you have to fill out a form in store and be told about how to care for a hamster...personally, I have not seen it happen, only skipping to the signatures so the hamster can be sold. It is such a crucial thing..especially if they are left with pets outside their shops because people just have not been given the information and perhaps have not known where to look.
I must say however, when I adopted Angel just before Christmas, the member of staff brought her to me from the back of the store cuddled up in his hands and was very happy to handle her! I was impressed! Before I had a man with the same process speak of hamsters in a terrible way...and to me? Someone wanting to adopt one? (he did not even know I had any hamsters before...that could put a new owner right off!)...I remember him chasing the hamster in the cage around with the box and refusing to pick him up...I will not mention what he called them, but the fact that he mentioned having a hamster which he refused to pick up, well it made my blood boil, that's for sure!...I must say that this hamster in particular was the sweetest guy ever too! He was lovely, so friendly and never bit, he would sit in my lap for ages and be fine with it. (attached photo)

[DrKMcK]

I have learned never to go on Craig's list and look at hammies. In fact, I won't go to any site looking for them.I know it'll kill me and I can't do anything about it. What I can do, is adopt when I have an available cage, and give my furries the best life possible. Sometimes I really wonder about us humans. We have this world and we aren't doing a very good job of it. The comment about children lacking empathy; well, they learn what they live, don't they? Sad. Very sad.

[ham888]

Grrrrrr! Now there's a 2 year old female on in west yorks. What, they kept her for 2 years and now it's too much?

[evel_lin]

Originally Posted by ham888

Grrrrrr! Now there's a 2 year old female on in west yorks. What, they kept her for 2 years and now it's too much?

That's what my Nancy's owners did