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PangoVet advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder or purchasing from a store, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. Learn more.
Deciding to bring a new pet into your family is a big decision, but your next task is determining where to get your new hamster. Getting them from a pet store is convenient since you can also buy the supplies, so it might seem like a good idea.
You can also purchase them online; it’s quick, convenient, and easy. Below, we’ll discuss the different ways you can purchase a hamster so you have all the facts.
Hamsters as Pets: What to Know Before Welcoming One Into Your Home
Hamsters are popular pets, and there are 24 species. Some enjoy living alone, while others prefer having a friend to interact with. Some hamsters enjoy being handled, and others don’t. So, whatever you’re looking for, there’s a hamster out there for you.
Of course, like any pet, it’s essential to do your research; hamsters require the proper care and environment to ensure they live as long and healthy a life as possible. On average, hamsters live around 18 to 36 months, which might not seem like a big commitment, but that’s a misconception.
Hamsters are most active at night, so while many people get them for children, they tend to be unsuitable since they get up when kids generally go to bed. They also need a lot of supplies, from food and an exercise wheel to a cage and nesting material.
It’s important to note that if you live in Hawaii, it’s illegal to own a hamster. Since the climate is similar to a hamster’s natural environment, they could establish wild colonies if released, which could cause damage to native plants, crops, and animals.
Where to Adopt Hamsters
There are various ways to adopt a hamster. Breeders often advertise online and are an excellent resource. A reputable breeder will provide records like mating and breeding logs, the hamster’s birthdate, and medical records and be open to showing their facilities. Depending on where you are, they will also be part of clubs or associations like the California Hamster Association or National Hamster Council.
There are also websites dedicated to rehoming pets that have been abandoned or mistreated. They find foster homes for the hamsters until they are healthy enough to find their forever homes.
1. Hubba-Hubba Hamstery
Not only does Hubba-Hubba Hamstery breed their hamsters, but they also adopt rescue hamsters. They are a small business in the Northwest and are on a mission to support and educate new owners on caring for their new hamsters.
Prospective owners can fill out an online application form. There is a $75 adoption fee, and in exchange, you get a healthy, litter-box-trained hamster with a pedigree certificate, a care package, and lifetime support.
2. Adopt a Pet
Adopt a Pet acts as a middleman, so you don’t have to do as much searching for breeders in your local area. They allow you to adopt by entering your contact information and which animal you want to adopt. When you find one, it details who cares for them and how to start your application process. As this is done through a third party, no prices are available.
3. Wee Companions
Wee Companions has a store, a Facebook page, and a website where you can fill out an application. They take in hamsters regardless of circumstances or health status, and a network of volunteers fosters them until they are healthy enough to be adopted. They also offer resources to help new owners care for their hamsters.
Once you begin your process, you are invited to an interview to ensure you are the best fit for one of their lovable hamsters.
Where to Buy Hamsters Online
In our previous section, we mentioned places you can buy hamsters online, but there is a difference between breeders having an online presence so you can apply to adopt online and buying a hamster from a completely online source.
1. Gumtree
Gumtree is a British-based advertisement and community website, but it has expanded into other countries, such as Australia and the United States. Using your location, you can search for pets in the local area that people want to rehome. There is a disclaimer on Gumtree’s website advising that not all adverts might be as they seem.
2. Craigslist
Much like Gumtree, Craigslist allows you to search for anything you can think of by entering your location and the hamster you want. It’s easier to be scammed by a website like this as you are putting your trust in an unknown seller. You also don’t know if the hamster is healthy, and with prices sometimes running as cheap as $1, chances are you could even be supporting a rodent mill.
How Much Do Hamsters Cost Online?
Prices vary from around $1 to $25. On average, you can get a young hamster for about $20. You might incur extra costs as it’s advised you take your hamster to the veterinarian for a wellness check.
Pet Stores That Sell Hamsters
Buying from a pet store allows you to examine the hamsters thoroughly and ask how they were bred and raised. Although some hamsters are bred for profit and mass-produced in poor conditions without proper care or medical treatment, we featured two trustworthy pet stores below.
1. PetSmart
PetSmart sells hamsters in their stores. Before visiting the store, you can search for hamsters on its website and learn more about their care requirements. PetSmart pets are raised under their Vet Assured program, which promises the hamsters have been raised in a program designed by vets that guarantees your pet’s health.
2. Petco
Much like PetSmart, Petco gives you the opportunity to buy a hamster from one of their stores. Petco’s website has a care sheet and descriptions of the hamsters for sale. However, you cannot buy their hamsters online.
How Much Do Hamsters Cost in Store?
Depending on where you live, a hamster will probably cost around $18 to $25.
Hamster Breeder Information
Adopting a pet is always better since you can give a hamster a well-deserved forever home. However, if you use a breeder, it might feel like finding a good hamster breeder is difficult. Thankfully, it’s a little easier than you might think.
- Hamster shows: Local breeders are often featured online on regional or local hamster groups. You can also find them at hamster shows, such as the California Hamster Association There, you get a guarantee about the health and upbringing of the hamsters since breeders must fulfill their care requirements to sell at these shows.
- Pet expos: Expos are an excellent way to connect with hamster breeders. The Global Pet Expo is a good example, and most major cities have expos.
- Online forums: There are forums dedicated to the proper care of hamsters. Connecting with like-minded people who want to support ethical breeding can help you find reputable breeders.
The best way to weed out unreliable breeders from reputable ones is to ask several questions. A good breeder will be happy to answer any questions you have, and breeders who care about their animals will want potential owners to be responsible and knowledgeable.
Tips for Adopting or Buying a Hamster
Whether you are adopting or buying, pick a reputable source. If you decide that buying is better for you and your family, make sure you pick a breeder who prioritizes the welfare of the animals over profit.
Adopting can seem expensive since donations can be steeper than the price of hamsters online or in pet stores. But generally, adopted hamsters have access to medical care; they might be trained to use the litter box and tolerate handling, and sometimes, they come with a gift box to make the transition easier. Your money also supports the ethical breeding of healthy hamsters.
Conclusion
There are various options open to you if you are thinking of getting a pet hamster. Whether you adopt or shop, don’t rush into your decision; do your research first, and pick a reputable source to get your hamster. If you research your options thoroughly, you are more likely to bring home a healthy and happy pet.
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Featured Image Credit: Hintau Aliaksei, Shutterstock
