In the very first edition of Hamster Tails, we feature HH forum member Ospray, who adopted a hamster who is approximately 2 years old from a shelter.

In a world which favours new over used & young over old, it is heartwarming to find a hamster lover who chooses to adopt an older hamster. Read the whole story, written by Ospray herself.

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You may have your heart set on an adorable baby fuzz-ball, but don’t discount an older ham too quickly!

Pannie is my newly adopted Syrian hamster. According to the shelter I adopted him from, he is an older hamster at approximately 2 years old, but you would never guess his age because he is as active and mischievous as any young hamster!

I chose to adopt Pannie because I felt that opening my home to a pet in need was something I wanted to do. Sure, I could have visited the nearest pet store and brought home a baby hamster in the blink of an eye, but why not instead offer my home and love to a hamster that maybe no one else would want because he is considered “too old”?

I have found there are several benefits to adopting an older hamster: an older ham is less rambunctious than a younger one so you may have less chewing issues and other behaviour problems that often come with a young hamster.

There are other reasons I chose to adopt from a shelter rather than buy my new fuzzy friend from a pet store. It is a sad fact that the vast majority of pet stores acquire the animals they sell from “mills” rather than responsible breeders. This means the animals may not adequately be taken care off, as these stores are trying to obtain the cheapest “stock” possible so that they can do one thing: make a profit. Many shelters have several hamsters at a time which are all looking for loving homes, so there is a good chance you will be able to find yourself a new friend. Most shelters have a small adoption fee to take home one their animals, but the money you are spending supports animal rescue and care rather than going to profit for a pet store. The shelter can also help you decide what type of pet, and even which particular pet is best for you and your lifestyle. It is in their best interest (and the best interest of the animal) to match pets and owners as best as possible to make sure both are happy with the new arrangement. The animal rescue or shelter often knows about the history, health, and behaviour of each particular animal – something a pet store can’t tell you!

If you are considering a new pet hamster, you may have your heart set on an adorable baby fuzz-ball, but don’t discount an older ham too quickly! I have found there are several benefits to adopting an older hamster: an older ham is less rambunctious than a younger one so you may have less chewing issues and other behaviour problems that often come with a young hamster.

I feel lucky that I am able to give Pannie the retirement he deserves in a nice big bin cage with lots of love, a wheel for running, and plenty of sunflower seeds.

I was lucky adopting Pannie because he had been handled often throughout his life, and he is a friendly little guy who doesn’t mind being picked up at all. Younger hamsters take time and patience to tame, and the ones you buy at a pet store often have no human interaction until you bring them home. Don’t forget, those little fuzz-balls grow up very quickly, and you will have an adult hamster on your hands sooner than you think. I feel lucky that I am able to give Pannie the retirement he deserves in a nice big bin cage with lots of love, a wheel for running, and plenty of sunflower seeds.

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