Hamster Adoption Requirements 

Hamsters, Mice & Guinea Pigs Require Special Accommodations to Thrive.  

​Note: Guinea Pig adoption requirements will be discussed during a phone conversation. For an idea about their care visit MY Guinea Pig Story and to build some great knowledge visit Guinea Pig Care Resources.

 

Requirements For Hamsters and Mice Adoption:

Each dwarf hamster and mouse in the rescue already have carefully designed cage setups with thriving in mind and these are available to purchase on the adoption day if you do not have your own appropriate setup. Syrian hamsters in the rescue are housed in large DIY cages that must be duplicated by their adopter in order for an adoption to be approved, meaning adopters can purchase a similar sized cage on Amazon or Chewy as well as the same furnishings, or the option to purchase the furnishings used here in the rescue for the Syrian is available.  To see an example click HERE

 

*Enclosure
For Syrians, see above. For Dwarf hamsters and mice the cage must provide 600 or more inches of unbroken floor space. A 50-gallon (200qt) Sterilite Stacker with a properly modified lid, a 40-gallon breeder tank, or larger, or an Ikea Detolf, also with a DIY lid are all suitable.  If you have an appropriate large cage with bars, such as the Preview 528, I would like to discuss that with you to determine if the particular hamster or mouse you are interested in would thrive in it.

*Wheels: 
-For Syrians an upright wheel measuring 10 inches or more in diameter, however some Syrians are larger than others and for them a 12-inch wheel is best. The largest saucer wheel is okay for a play area but not in a main cage.
-For dwarf hamsters 8 inches or more is required for an upright wheel. The medium sized saucer is okay to use in a play area.

**The small size saucer is not suitable, not even for playtime.
***(Wire or mesh wheels is prohibited. All wheels must have a solid running surface).

*Substrate:
Unscented paper-based bedding. Enough for at least 6 or more inches. I create my setups with deep bedding on one side of the habitat and will accept this style for adopters as long as everything is safely positioned throughout.  
***(No cedar, pine or scented bedding and no cotton nesting material). I am not a fan of aspen shavings in enclosures unless they are utilized in an isolated area such as a digging pot or a corner of the cage etc. Many people mix them in paper bedding and that advice to do so is widespread in the hamster community BUT not all bags of aspen shavings are created equal, too many of them contain hundreds of sharp and coarse pieces which are harmful to animals who are burrowing headfirst through bedding to create tunnels. Contrary to popular belief, aspen does not stabilize burrows. More about bedding in general will be discussed during our phone conversation. 

*Cage Setup & Enrichment:
-All heavy items MUST be placed on platforms or directly on the cage floor. Utilizing platforms presents the opportunity to create a cage with more activities because their surface can be used as well as the underside. Under each platform bedding is required to be packed up to the platform bottom and around the sides to facilitate burrowing underneath. All areas need to give the animal plenty of access on and off without a barrier. 

Each habitat needs to have the following:

*Wheel and Substrate (see above)

*Sand bath container that is appropriately sized filled with safe sand; reptile, dune, washed and sifted children's play sand are all acceptable but no bathing dust or sand from the beach/ground.
*At least 2 places to hide; multi chamber wood houses and ceramic hides are acceptable but try not to use plastic igloo type hides as these are not natural. Amazon has good options for hide houses.

*At least 2 other furniture items such as terra cotta hides or tunnels, wooden or ceramic arches, wooden bridges, cork logs or cardboard burrow starters etc. Many of these can be found in reptile and fish sections of pet stores. The idea is to place something for a hamster or mouse to climb on and crawl through. 

-An additional pot, shallow bowl or saucer, or any other container that can be set up as a foraging spot. This should have some type of texture like cork pieces, coco soil, hemp shavings, aspen shavings etc and covered with dried flowers, seeds, and treats. (Instructions and tips will be provided for foraging pots during our phone conversation) 

-4 or more different types of chews, apple wood sticks are okay but nuts with shells work well too, corn cobs are fun, and many Etsy shops have excellent boredom breakers.
-At least 1 or more of either a foraging mix, foraging spray or extra seeds for scattering.

*Proper diet: 
-A high quality lab block. 

-A Quality seed mix with variety without artificial colors and minimal to no sugar and high in protein.
***Oxbow hamster food is prohibited

For a Seed Mix DIY Recipe click HERE

Prohibited List:

(This list will be thoroughly discussed prior to adoption)

-No breeding.

-No playing with or housing together with another hamster/mouse or other animals.
-No using a hamster ball.

-No rehoming to someone else (Your adopted pet must be returned to Home Sweet Hammy Home if you are unable to care for him or her at any time in their life).

-No bathing with soap and water.

-No bathtub bonding. (We have been notified of 2 separate incidents in which hamsters have accidently been squished during this outdated method to bond with your hamster.  We will discuss safer alternatives during the adoption process).

-No free roaming unless 100 percent safe. (Ideas for this will also be discussed).

-No withholding medical attention if needed.