Hi - where to buy a hamster in London?

Sophs · 02-25-2016, 03:13 PM

Hi everyone!

Myself and my boyfriend are looking to get a syrian hamster, preferably a male, and it will be our first pet together

We have done lots of research and have bought the Barney 100cm cage, which arrived today! We have bought care fresh substrate, paper nesting, and 11" trixie wheel....we are in the process of getting all the other bits we need!

We were just hoping for some advice on where the best place is to buy the hamster from? We have heard that going to pets at home or other larger pet stores is not a good idea. Does anyone have any recommendations of trustworthy pet shops or breeders in or near London?

We have found out about tuftyfluff breeder in Borehamwood and have sent a message, but not sure if she is still breeding.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Sophie

souffle · 02-26-2016, 01:48 AM

Welcome - You can take a look on the Southern Hamster Club and Midland sites and see if there is either a show you could visit or ask the secretary for a breeder near to you maybe? Tuftyfluff have a facebook page and she has on;y just started breeding a few days ago. Hamsters breed less readily if at all during the winter. If you wait a few weeks there may be more available. If you could travel a bit there are people a bit further out. You could look at Wyeside Hamsters site maybe?

Pebbles82 · 02-26-2016, 02:17 AM

Hi there and welcome. I don't know about London breeders but just wanted to say welcome and great you have done the research! Your hamster will be very happy in the Barney cage. I think Coco got her hamster Mocho from Tuftyfluff's. I think people have said she does reply but not always straight away. It must be frustrating waiting for a hamster when you are all organised! We got ours from a small pet shop in our market town (before knowing much about hamsters). He is adorable but grew huge and was really very neurotic for the first few months, plus quite ferral. So breeding and rearing by a breeder does make a difference to temperament I believe. Having said that, we tamed him with advice from this site and our giant Syrian is my baby and will go to sleep on my knee now sometimes, plus is healthy

I think there is a rescue in London, but if it's your first hamster you maybe want one from being a baby.

Sometimes people go along to a regional hamster show and there are some for sale there. The link Souffle gave for the Southern Hamster club should list any upcoming shows.

Sophs · 02-26-2016, 03:13 AM

Hi Souffle and Serendipity!

Thanks so much for your responses, we will certainly check out the links you provided.

We are definitely happy to wait for the right hamster - in the meantime we can work on building up the toy collection! Great to hear tuftyfluffs is still breeding too!

Unfortunately as neither of us drive, travelling too far would not be suitable when bringing the hamster home. Although we have bought one of the travel cages - but i wouldn't want to cause the hamster undue stress on a long journey on public transport.

We are not sure if we are experienced enough to go for a rescue and think we would prefer to go for a baby that we can tame ourselves from the start. Although it does make me feel guilty about the hamsters that need rescue

If anyone hears anything do let us know and thanks again!

flowerfairy · 02-26-2016, 12:13 PM

I have taken many animals including hamsters on public transport. Both train and bus with no obvious ill effects.

Hope you find a nice hamster to enjoy very soon.

peasypea · 02-27-2016, 12:28 AM

There is a rescue on facebook called GBH rescue and they always have loads of hamsters, different ages too. I think that in Kent but near London if that makes sense? They always post pictures and they have some lovely ones that I always want to adopt!

Sophs · 02-29-2016, 11:50 AM

Thanks for your advice everyone! We have found some different sources and hope to have our hamster very soon!

Pebbles82 · 03-02-2016, 05:51 PM

I can understand you wanting to get one from a breeder as well. If it's a first hamster you want to know it is free from diseases and has good genetics. It's a good move to get one from a breeder. Any news from Tufty Fluffs yet?

Sophs · 03-05-2016, 03:08 AM

Hi Serendipity,

No we didn't hear back from Tufty Fluffs. But we did find a breeder in south london and now have a gorgeous baby hamster named Otis! He is cream with black eyes and long hair (but much shorter than some I have seen).

We have had him 2 days and have just been letting him settle into his new environment. We are going to try with hand feeding sunflower seeds in the cage tonight. The first two nights we saw him running around his cage and trying out all his toys etc., but last night he only came out for about half an hour

Really hope he is not too stressed and comes out tonight!

Fingers crossed!

Pebbles82 · 03-05-2016, 03:36 AM

Ooh how exciting! I would suggest feeding the sunflower seeds through the bars at first

Looking forward to seeing photos when he's ready to pose

He is probably settling into his new nest if he didn't come out much last night - it's probably a sign of approval

After feeding him seeds through the bars for a few days, and talking to him, you could maybe move on to seeing if he will take one from your hand near the entrance of his cage. You could do the tissue trick now as well maybe - so he gets used to your scent