Where would you buy a hamster?

[suzubeane]

My daughter has been begging for a hamster; her 10th birthday is coming up in January, and we're considering getting her one. (I had them as a kid, and I’m not grossed out by them as I know some people are.)

Where would you buy a hamster these days? Those giant pet stores seem like breeding houses for disease – are they? I suppose I should seek out a small pet shop, but I think the big chains have put them all out of business around here.

Ideas anyone?

[Vegastrtle]

Petfinder.com has hamsters you can adopt through rescue associations. There were quite a few in my area...hopefully you'll find some too.

Good luck!

[suzubeane]

Really? I didn't know that hamsters would need rescuing! Thanks!

ETA: Almost 50 views and one reply. C'mon, people ... what did you think the thread was about?! :).

[BTB]

Okay, okay. I'll tell you my answer. (zipping up flame-retardant suit)

Because I am lazy, and because I had no idea there was such a thing as hamster rescue, and because the humane society here is pretty limited to cats and dogs, I would go to a pet store.

My little brother had several pet store hamsters growing up, they all lived between 1 to 2 years. I have no idea what a hamster's normal life expectancy is.

Enjoy your little hammie. :)

[suzubeane]

No need for flame retardant suit. I looked for rescue hamsters, and there are none within 40 miles of here. Worse yet, they are hamster *mixes* and I dare not even think about what you might cross a hamster with! (Especially given the fact that there are rescue rats available, too.)

I guess my question is really about the giant pet stores, and how clean they are.

[jesvet]

IIRC, Petsmart has a PETA person on their board of directors specifically because of concerns about their animals. From what I've seen they are pretty good with their husbandry- at least the ones by me. Petco, I'm not so sure about.

[jbenny75]

Did you check the local humane society? Mine always has hamsters.

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Petco is well known for it's horrible (and I mean think really bad, then multiply it by 100) treatment of the "pets" they sell. Petsmart is now getting into the business of selling guinea pigs and the like (they do in a few states already). I'm not here to lecture or anything about buying a pet from such a pet store, but I do want to give the forewarning that the animal may be very sick. The minimum wagers they hire to work at such stores don't really know much about the animals they sell, so be prepared that you may be told it's a he, but it might very well be a pregnant she.

I second the notion of calling a few shelters in the area. I know that if the ones around here do not have the breed or animal you're looking for, they will put your in their system and give you a call when they get an animal that matches what you would like.

I know hamsters are great. I used to play with them on a daily basis when I was younger and worked at a science center (education, no testing). I owned a guinea pig (So sweet! She used to hate kids as they were rough, and hated being held. When I went to return her after my babysitting summer was up, so loved cuddling and the director was so in love she took her home to be a personal pet.) and gerbils. May I make a suggestion? See if your daughter is dead set on a hamster. Another animal to possibly consider is a chinchilla. They're soft, sweet, there are many in shelters (here's one in RI (http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5142545)) , and they even look like slightly larger hamsters with huge ears and a tail. They can live for 15 years, and are quite bright. Best of all, unlike hamsters... they don't stink! My roomate had one in college, and never was caught because there was no odor. Quite the social animal it was, and it was a pleasure to have around. You could always use the selling point, she'll be speciual, everyone has hamsters ;)

Hope your daughter finds a great furry pet! :)

[Nigellas]

The Humane Society I worked at often had hamsters, mice and guinea pigs.

[jh124]

No need for flame retardant suit. I looked for rescue hamsters, and there are none within 40 miles of here. Worse yet, they are hamster *mixes* and I dare not even think about what you might cross a hamster with! (Especially given the fact that there are rescue rats available, too.)

I guess my question is really about the giant pet stores, and how clean they are.

A "mixed" hamster is a hamster of mixed breeding. Like a mutt. Betcha didn't know there were different breeds of hamster. See what you're getting into? :p

[amorey]

I always get pets like that at a local mom and pop pet store. Now that I think about it, I’ve been going there for the last 20 years. Since then we’ve gotten a guinea pig, a couple of turtles, my piranha, numerous other fish, and our lizard. The owner and I are on a first name basis. The animals are always very healthy and the owner makes sure you have everything you need to care for your pet before you leave. If it gets sick or you have problems with it, you can call them up and they’ll help you out. I think the animals at Petsmart and Petco look so much worse than the ones at my favorite pet store. Even if their management has good intentions, it doesn’t necessarily mean their flunky employees will take good care of the animals.

I would see if there are any mom and pop pet stores in your area and go in and check them out.