113 replies to this topic

[Azayles]

Noone seems to have picked up that the enclosure is labelled "European Hamster". European Hamsters are completely different species (breeds, types, flavours, whatever) to Syrians.


European Hamster (Cricetus Cricetus)


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hamster


Golden Hamster (AKA Syrian) (Mesocricetus Auratus)


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hamster

[bobthealien]

When I bought Shelly, Our local Petco had her in her very own glass cage-thing. It was on the top half, and there was glass between her and the cinnamon short haired Syrian. The dwarfs, however, were kept together. I love how a small town Petco is much better (all aspects) than a big city Petco...

[LittleKiwiHamster]

Most commercial pet stores keep their syrians together... I know of a few privately owned pet stores that know better (I shop there more <<). One local pet store here keeps fully grown syrians together in groups of six inside ten gallon tanks. I hate that place. :( They're always fighting and have wounds on them.

[Elyse]

I've recently been to a Petco both to look for dog food and those puzzle playgrounds; when I was there this Petco near my house just looked sad and depressing; all the hamsters/rodent pets looked depressed. Their bunnies didn't have the same vibe the bunnies at the small owned pet shop have; the place just seemed like a sad world of misery there and the people at the store couldn't even tell the difference between long haired/short haired hamsters. Also, they didn't answer my question properly when I asked if the critter bath that I was buying can hold a Syrian hamster; I've gotten better help from a hobo than this place; I won't be returning to that Petco anytime soon.

Edited by ElyseandSerenity, 15 May 2012 - 10:18 PM.

[bubblepop727]

Aww..... ='( I dropped by a pet shop to check out their hamsters, and I found one guinea pig housed in a 10 gallon aquarium with 3 bunnies! I know it's not related to hamsters, but I just wanted to share this terrible news with everyone. ='(

[HannahsHammys]

This whole issue saddens me completely. In a local pet store they keep about 6 syrians together with one small food bowl, 10 gallon tank no toys, no wheel and one bottle of water. There was a tiny hideout which was chewed horribly and it's just shocking. I don't know how these stores are able to continue to do this, they make out they care for the animals, but they only care for the money :/

[CollegeHam]

It really frustrates me that such ignorant people can be hired at places such as Petsmart and Petco. I've applied to Petsmart 3 times, but they always look over my application, and hire people who have no idea what they're doing.

[Elyse]

It really frustrates me that such ignorant people can be hired at places such as Petsmart and Petco. I've applied to Petsmart 3 times, but they always look over my application, and hire people who have no idea what they're doing.

I know the feeling I've applied to Petsmart twice and never gave me a call back; I refuse to apply to the Petco's near me mostly because of the area and the fact that they look like <poop> holes. Sorry for swearing but it is the truth the places look dark, depressing, and the animals look like they are just as depressed as the store itself.

[WeepingMilkshakes]

At my pets at home, i was happy, because the staff know a lot, and are happy to help. i got my syrian hunni there, (i would have prefered to get one from i shelter but i couldnt :( ) an was pleased that there was one syrian in each tank, and 2/3 sibling dwarves in each tank the employee helping me also recommended not to give her "treats" like sugary ones, no wire wheel, an 8 inch wheel, etc. (i already knew this but still ) so quite pleased

[Genevie]

Wow, that sounds a lot more knowledgeable than all the Pets at Homes I've been in! Always several syrians and dwarves to a tank, small wheels and cages, no recommendations against bad treats etc..

[bobthealien]

Grrr. The last time I was at Petco, they had three Syrian girls in half of a 10 gallon, and the other half was empty! and then, there were 0 rats, and one ADORABLE little dwarf munching on a little piece of lettuce. no mice either... but 3 syrians in half a tank!!

[WeepingMilkshakes]

Wow, that sounds a lot more knowledgeable than all the Pets at Homes I've been in! Always several syrians and dwarves to a tank, small wheels and cages, no recommendations against bad treats etc..

To be honest, i dont think he was suppose to be telling me this stuff, but he did seem to care about the hamsters...
he also recommended not to get any kits, and (quietly) talked to me a teeny bit about bins
on the downside, the cages were small but only one in...
EDIT: i mean't Just for pets... sorry

Edited by hunni's_mama, 08 July 2012 - 01:33 AM.

[Boba]

my Petsmart house 2 Syrians together - but Boba for some reason was by himself :/
but a pet store near by have 7-10 Syrians together in a tank O_O Also babies Syrians was with their mom in a separate tank and I saw a little Syrian with his tail wanting to fall off :(
Meanwhile a dwarf is in a cage all by himself O_O
And the Petco that I might have to go to in the future house 3 syrians together in facilities 1/2 the size of what Petsmart have :/

[Genevie]

Oddly enough, when I go to my local family-run pet store, they often seem to have 2 fully grown adult female syrians in an enclosure (I'd say about 1.5 x 1.5 ft, maybe a bit smaller) with both their litters. And they never have any fights break out between the girls, they just completely ignore each other. Definitely unusual.

[Illa]

Yea? You should see Petland! They have like 20 per cage! but the tanks are huge

Yea? You should see Petland! They have like 20 per cage! but the tanks are huge