| Pet shops are often the first place where people | | | | and old, that are in need of a loving owner. |
| entertain thoughts of buying a hamster. A | | | | Generally, an application must be completed, and a |
| prospective buyer may be struck by a hamster's | | | | small fee is charged. |
| beautiful color, or entertained by his antics and | | | | The reason to adopt, rather than buying a |
| before long, the new owner is taking the cute | | | | hamster, is the satisfaction of giving a loving |
| little guy home. | | | | home to an abandoned animal. |
| The downside of buying a hamster from a pet | | | | Many rescue animals originated with buyers who |
| shop | | | | carelessly allowed their hamsters to procreate. |
| However, there are certain disadvantages to | | | | Overwhelmed, the owners surrendered the young |
| buying a hamster from a pet shop. First and | | | | hamsters to their local animal shelter. This should |
| foremost, pet shop hamsters often originate on | | | | be a cautionary tale when considering placing male |
| hamster farms where the health and welfare of | | | | and female hamsters in the same cage. |
| the animals is of secondary concern to turning a | | | | Animal rescue organizations screen the hamster's |
| profit. Certainly not all hamster farms or pet | | | | health thoroughly before putting it up for adoption. |
| shops are negligent, but there have been enough | | | | In addition, the new owner has not contributed to |
| instances of abuse to discourage the ethical buyer | | | | animal abuse by buying a hamster that originated |
| from supporting these establishments until more | | | | on a hamster farm. |
| strict regulations are in place. | | | | Before buying a hamster, do a little research. |
| Also, the lineage is unclear. This becomes | | | | Knowing what breeds are available will help you |
| important if a purebred variety is desired. Lineage | | | | avoid hamster remorse. You might regret the |
| is especially important when buying a hamster | | | | purchase of a plain, brown hamster when you |
| such as a Russian Winter White Dwarf. Purebred | | | | discover that there are hamsters available in |
| Winter Whites are rarely seen in North American | | | | colors like "champagne" or "lilac." Also, different |
| pet shops, and are most likely the hybrid offspring | | | | breeds have different personalities and housing |
| of Campbell's Dwarf Hamsters. Hybrid hamsters | | | | needs. Researching ahead of time will allow you to |
| are susceptible to disease and their irresponsible | | | | match the hamster's activity level and housing |
| breeding dilutes the purity of the breed. | | | | need to your budget. Buying a hamster should not |
| Inbreeding and poor conditions on hamster farms | | | | be an impulse purchase. |
| may also create animals with underlying health | | | | Before buying a hamster, purchase housing and |
| issues that are not immediately visible under the | | | | accessories. |
| glare of the pet shop lights. Once an owner | | | | After deciding on the variety, but before making |
| becomes attached to an animal, dealing with | | | | the purchase, is the time to purchase the habitat |
| serious hamster health problems can be | | | | your pet will live in and the toys he will play with. |
| emotionally painful and expensive. | | | | Your hamster should not have to stay in |
| The advantage of buying a hamster from a | | | | temporary quarters while he waits for you to |
| professional breeder or hobbyist | | | | make a decision on a cage. |
| Buying a hamster from a professional breeder, on | | | | Before buying a hamster, give it a quick |
| the other hand, ensures that the hamster is | | | | check-up.o A healthy hamster's eyes will be clear |
| healthy and has most likely been treated well | | | | and sparkling. The eyes should not be watery or |
| during its upbringing. Most professional breeders | | | | clouded.o The nose and ears should be clean. Look |
| offer a satisfaction guarantee, which allows a | | | | for signs of ear mites.o Make sure the hamster |
| buyer to return the hamster within a specified | | | | responds to noise and is not deaf.o Check for |
| timeframe if the new owner is unhappy with his | | | | broken limbs, and be sure the hamster does not |
| new pet. | | | | walk with a limp.o The hamster should be neither |
| Buying a hamster from a hobbyist will also yield a | | | | too fat, nor too thin.o A healthy coat should be |
| well-cared for, healthy pet, and will be less | | | | smooth and well groomed. |
| expensive than purchasing one from a | | | | Putting some effort into buying a hamster will |
| professional breeder. | | | | result in a happy bond between owner and pet, |
| Rather than buying a hamster, opt to adopt | | | | and will reduce the number of abandoned |
| Yet another option is to adopt a hamster from a | | | | hamsters showing up at animal shelters and |
| small animal rescue organization. A quick search | | | | rescue organizations. |
| online will yield a vast array of hamsters, young | | | | |