Hamster adoption stories?

[Hammymad]

Yes I agree.i don't think enough advice is given to people when buying hammies. In the past when I've had new dwarf hammies I've used a massive plastic storage box to handle them in,let them sniff my hands.run on/over my hands.take food off me etc,and within a day or so I am able to pick them up and handle them quite easily.but because I've never adopted a dwarf ham before they've not been that nervous or scared from possible mistreatment or neglect,so I will be more aware then when I do adopt one,they might not be as easily to hand tame. But as they say "you get out what you put in" and I a, full of love for the hammies of the world hehe

I know sme people don't like pets at home but I like the adoption centre they have,all this talk about adopting makes me want to go and get one and bring it home (luckily I don't drive,plus I'm in my dressing gown and have a towel on my head lol)

[KatiePillow]

Originally Posted by kyrilliondaemon

I'm glad you enjoyed reading about them too I could have written more but didn't want to write a giant essay lol

I always struggle not to write essays about my hams, especially alfie - I'm so sappy!
You were very restrained
And I love their little eyebrows

[kyrilliondaemon]

Originally Posted by KatiePillow

I always struggle not to write essays about my hams, especially alfie - I'm so sappy!
You were very restrained
And I love their little eyebrows

Glad its not just me who wants to write essays lol, and I'm glad you think I was restrained
It doesn't help that both had issues from the previous owners/lives since that gives more relevant stuff to say lol

I'm glad you like their eyebrows I loved the photo you posted too

[Hammymad]

Wow,Alfie sounds like he was an amazing little fella.I could feel your love amd devotion as I read yor post...lovely I bet you really miss him?

I have loved every hamster I've had and will love many more,but sometimes you have a truly special bond with a certain hamster. I feel like that about Hammy,probably because he is adopted and his health problems,I am so glad I went to pets at home that day and he was there I really don't understand people overlooking a hamster due to age,health issues etc,but that's how shallow some people are, all they want is a shiny new pet.

Many people don't realise that adopting means commitment,and it can be alot of time and effort,but the rewards of seeing your ham start to trust you etc is well worth it I think

[Lougarry]

We have had two adoptees.

Bear, a sable banded female Syrian, came from the P@H adoption centre. I went in there in late November to buy a playball for Dinah and saw her little brown bottom as she was curled up asleep. There was no wheel or anything in her tank and the sign just said she had been 'abandoned'. The staff knew no more than that, and guessed she was around a year old, but I suspect she was older as he bottom was going quite ginger! As she was an unplanned addition she came home with me in a new Mini Duna (just as well as she's chewed out of the cardboard box in the 10 mins it took to get home) but was soon upgraded to a 3 foot tank and later a big rat cage which she loved. When we first got her she used to bite a lot but we think she must have been roughly handled as she soon stopped and was incredibly gentle, even when my two year old didn't handle her entirely gently. She was curious, friendly and seemed genuinely grateful for her new start. She died in my hands on 2 March very suddenly and I can't believe (a) that she's gone and (b) that we had her such a short time as she was such a big part of our lives. We miss her.

Magic is a black male Syrian, adopted from Kim on the forum. He was a very friendly loving little feller right from the start and we all absolutely adore him. We don't know his back story but I am astonished that someone didn't want him as he is fabulous. He likes to sit on your shoulder as you walk around the house. Kim said in personality he reminded her a lot of her rats. He came to us in December.

[KatiePillow]

Originally Posted by Hammymad

Wow,Alfie sounds like he was an amazing little fella.I could feel your love amd devotion as I read yor post...lovely I bet you really miss him?

I have loved every hamster I've had and will love many more,but sometimes you have a truly special bond with a certain hamster. I feel like that about Hammy,probably because he is adopted and his health problems,I am so glad I went to pets at home that day and he was there I really don't understand people overlooking a hamster due to age,health issues etc,but that's how shallow some people are, all they want is a shiny new pet.

Many people don't realise that adopting means commitment,and it can be alot of time and effort,but the rewards of seeing your ham start to trust you etc is well worth it I think

He was, and I do.. it took me a long time to get over him, and I've just had to go into my OHs room to get cuddles as I remembered how lovely he was!
I think a hamster that has health problems tend to be more reliant and therefore you have to spend more time with them etc. Plus they have so much character how they get over their issues.


And Lougarry, I didn't realise Bear was abandoned before you got her, poor thing - but you gave her a fantastic life..

[samzyzg]

Hehe wonderful stories so far can't wait to see more i chose the pic i put up because it was when i first got him and it was the first pictures i took of him

[Hammymad]

Awww,I'm sorry to hear of your loss Lougarry,I feel the same about my baby Bella,only had her a couple of months and then I had to have her PTS. Bless her,she was such a pretty little thing...there's a picture of her in my gallery.

Yeah I know what you mean KatiePillow,obviously Hammy will have to go to the vets every couple of weeks for the rest of his life,to be Horst he doesn't seem to mind.hes very chilled and placid and even sleeps in the carrier and then gets a grump on when I have to wake him up lol xxxx

[Rivera]

I'm so happy that we adopted our two hamsters I used to work in a vets and now I volunteer at a dog rehoming centre; so sadly I know how many unwanted pets there are out there So I would always try to adopt. I would also rather adopt an older hamster because they always get overlooked

We found a lady in North London who rehomes hamsters. (I don't know if I'm allowed to name the website) - but she was so helpful! She had adults and babies; syrians, dwarfs and robos. She was so happy when we decided to take 2 home with us! I wish we could have taken more!

We might be moving to a bigger flat next year; so may go back to her and rehome a couple more!

[samzyzg]

I would love to adopt more.... but i know that i won't have the time for anymore =/ which is sad but i can't over run myself especially since i'm coming up for my final year at uni...
But i'm glad to hear of amazing stories, regardless of how long they were with use they were cared for and loved and know that the current little ones are all living happy lives now