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Old 05-15-2016, 02:03 AM   #1
ScoobyWoo
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Default Our Adoption Story...

I thought it would be nice to keep a record of the adoption process of our new hamster and what better place to do that than Hamster Central!

Bit of background before we start... my hubby and I have kept hamsters before and had guinea pigs too but not for quite a few years, we have recently been feeling like it was time to introduce a new small fury into our lives and as it has been soooooooooo long since we last had a hamster, we thought we had better do some serious research into housing, diet and care so we have been doing this for a few months. We also started buying supplies and making the lonnnnngggg and much debated decision about which cage to go for.

We decided quite early on that we would like to adopt if possible and give a lovely hammy a loving forever home We are quite lucky in that there is a small pet rescue centre not too far from where we live so I have been following them on facebook for some time.

On 7th May, I contacted the rescue to ask about the adoption process and enquire about one of 2 beautiful female Syrian's I had seen on their facebook page. We were sent a fairly in depth adoption questionnaire to complete which we did and then we had to wait to see if we would be accepted.
Fortunately we didn't have to wait for too long and 2 days later we were approved to adopt one of the girls!

Unfortunately- the timing wasn't great as the lady who oversees the adoptions at the rescue was going on holiday from Saturday until 24th May so we have to wait until after that before we can go and meet the little ladies and decide who we want to bring home. (Not looking forward to that decision!)

Although, a bit disappointed at having to wait a little longer than we wanted to, it is probably a blessing as it has given us more time to get the cage all set up and organised ready for our little girl.

Yesterday, we went out and bought the last few bits we needed and then spent the evening setting up the cage.

In the end, we went for the Barney cage which we hope will give our new hamster enough space to be happy and we have tried to keep the setup quite natural and provide lots of places to climb and chew and hopefully keep her entertained. We used the cages photo's thread on Hamster Central a lot for reference and really found it useful. Any recommendations for changes or things to add to the cage will be gratefully received if anybody has any?

So that's it really, that's where we're at now- the cage is ready, we have the pet carrier and we're just playing the waiting game now....roll on 25th May when we can go and bring our girlie home!

Here are some pictures of our girl's new setup:
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Old 05-15-2016, 02:09 AM   #2
Piebald
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

Wow that looks great I want to live in it
One thing I can't tell is how deep is the substrate?
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Old 05-15-2016, 02:22 AM   #3
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

That must be hard having to wait! Shame you can't get her now, but then the 25th May will be an exciting day

I posted on the let's see your cages thread already - but having another thought about the access to the two left shelves. Just a suggestion, but I think it might work better if:

1) You put the smaller bendy ladder next to the left bars, going from the lower shelf to the upper one.

2) You move the bendy stick tunnel further back to the edge of the cage, giving access up to the lower shelf but underneath the other ladder and the upper shelf. Plus it would be easier to climb up without the other ladder attached.

3) That means if your hammy jumps off the top shelf she can't land on the bendy bridge and will just land on soft substrate.

Just a thought Kind of climbing up the shelves in shorter stages. They can fall off things sometimes.
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Old 05-15-2016, 02:23 AM   #4
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Piebald View Post
Wow that looks great I want to live in it
One thing I can't tell is how deep is the substrate?
Thank you, the substrate is about 5inches deep. We're using Finacard, never tried it before with any of our previous animals but the rescue are using it so thought it would be a good idea to use the same as them to keep things familiar(ish) for the hammie.
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Old 05-15-2016, 02:24 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

That's a good idea using the same substrate. I bought a small bag of Finacard recently but haven't tried it yet. Would be good to hear how you find it at some point I was thinking of adding a bit to our paper substrate.
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Old 05-15-2016, 02:41 AM   #6
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
That must be hard having to wait! Shame you can't get her now, but then the 25th May will be an exciting day

I posted on the let's see your cages thread already - but having another thought about the access to the two left shelves. Just a suggestion, but I think it might work better if:

1) You put the smaller bendy ladder next to the left bars, going from the lower shelf to the upper one.

2) You move the bendy stick tunnel further back to the edge of the cage, giving access up to the lower shelf but underneath the other ladder and the upper shelf. Plus it would be easier to climb up without the other ladder attached.

3) That means if your hammy jumps off the top shelf she can't land on the bendy bridge and will just land on soft substrate.

Just a thought Kind of climbing up the shelves in shorter stages. They can fall off things sometimes.
Thanks for this Serendipity- I have just been reading your reply on the other thread- much appreciated. I don't really understand point 2)....think I'm being a bit dumb! Haha I'll have play about in a while though.
We're loving setting it up all- I just keep looking at it! Haha!

With regard to the finacard...first impressions is that it is sooooooooooooooooooo NOT dusty! Not a scrap of dust at all, we were both amazed!
Will let you know how we get on once hammie moves in with regard to odours etc.
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Old 05-15-2016, 02:45 AM   #7
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

It must be difficult having to wait - it makes May 25th so much more exciting though!
Fantastic idea about the substrate, I've never thought of that
Serendipidity has some great ideas about shelving etc... Although the cage is great already I can understand where she's coming from about height risks
I very much hope that when you do get your hamster they settle in well with you and live a long and happy life
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Old 05-15-2016, 03:39 AM   #8
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

Quote:
Originally Posted by freyashamsters View Post
It must be difficult having to wait - it makes May 25th so much more exciting though!
Fantastic idea about the substrate, I've never thought of that
Serendipidity has some great ideas about shelving etc... Although the cage is great already I can understand where she's coming from about height risks
I very much hope that when you do get your hamster they settle in well with you and live a long and happy life
The other thing about using the same substrate as the rescue is that they obviously deem it safe and practical aswell as economical so it just makes sense all round really.

We're currently having a re-jiggle in the cage after Serendipity's comments and advice. However, we're a bit confused at the moment between blocking up gaps where hamster could potentially fall and leaving gaps so if hamster does fall, she lands on substrate....a bit confused as the two things obviously contradict each other! Gahhh! Oh well....we'll come up with something and I suppose we aren't going to know what works for our hammy in particular until she comes home and we find out what her personality is like and how active and adventurous she is

Thank you Freyashamsters- we hope she does too
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Old 05-15-2016, 03:48 AM   #9
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

You're very organised, I'd be climbing the walls if I had to wait 10 more days.
Once you get your ham, you'll be able to watch her and see how she reacts to the cage and then you can make little changes to suit her. I really like the cage and you can't perfect it till you see how she settles.
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Old 05-15-2016, 04:26 AM   #10
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Default Re: Our Adoption Story...

Your cage does look nice, I'm sure your new ham is going to be very happy in there when she arrives.
Look forward to hearing all about her, not too long now but it must seem it!
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