06/07/2022
I want to begin this post by saying that no hamster death is easy, but they are preventable. Here’s how.
Big pet store chains such as PAH and others get all their animals and livestock from mass breeders in order to keep up with supply and demand. Because of this, the breeding mills do not have time to keep an eye on genetics, illness etc. instead, they just breed whoever and whatever together and hope to get as many babies as possible for as much profit as possible. Most end up dead before they even reach stores- and a lot are sick and have to be kept in the back anyway.
You may think that you buying a hamster from these stores is ‘saving’ them but in actuality it’s filling these companies pockets and encouraging them continuing practicing this method of selling animals. Not only this, but the second you take that animal from the cage it’s in- it’ll be replaced anyway. So you are not doing it a favour.
Because of the way these animals are bred, their genetics and therefore lifespan are incredibly poor. They could have internal illnesses that you cannot see to the eye that could present themselves later in the animals life. There are no breeding regulations and so these breeding mills are actively breeding bad genetics and diseases into these animals- shortening their lifespan. At my rescue I see many PAH hamsters and I give them a 50/50 chance to make it to the first year; even less to make it to the second.
Being a hamster rescue, I deal with so many deaths. Having so many hamsters (most with poor genetics and health) sometimes I see a death once a month. And I know half could easily be prevented if ethical breeding was enforced for ‘pet shop, disposable’ animals.
So what can you do?
Stop purchasing from pet shops and look for ethical breeders that are actively trying to breed the good genetics back into these animals and overall improve their lifespan and life quality. Educate others. It’s important not to shame others if they have purchased from a pet store as they are likely to ignore you. But education is key.
Rest in peace Biscuit. Your legacy will live on.
