01/07/2022
Benefits of Getting a Hamster from an Ethical Breeder
An ethical breeder is one that truly cares about their animals and aims to improve hamsters as a pet. This means they follow the OHC or California Hamster Association Code of Ethics, provide proper husbandry and medical care for all their animals, and help ensure that all the animals they produce go to good homes. Ethical breeders will also always welcome their animals back, should an adoptive home not work out for any reason.
So, why would you want to go to an ethical breeder?
Unlike rodent mills, ethical breeders choose the best hamsters to be parents, with the goals of temperament and long-term health in mind. Making money is never a goal in ethical breeding.
One of the most obvious reasons is that a hamster from an ethical breeder is likely to be very friendly. This is because breeders choose the friendliest, best temperament hamsters to breed, hoping that they will produce very friendly babies. In addition, they have been handled since their eyes opened, so should be very accustomed to humans.
Another pro is that hamsters from breeders are bred with health in mind. Breeders track the health of their hamsters (even after adoption) to look for trends, and problems that arise in their lines. Lines with genetic health issues may be discontinued. This is so important, because decades of mill breeding and inbreeding have not benefited our hamster friends, and we are seeing shorter lifespan, and more health issues in mill bred hamsters (such as brachycephaly or hydrocephaly). Without ethical breeders working to breed health back into hamsters, we can expect to see the species continue to decline. While some ethically bred hamsters may be healthier and have longer longevity, illness and issues can still arise. Talk to your breeder about what health issues they’ve seen in their lines. No breeder is without health issues, and if they say otherwise that is a big red flag.
Finally, if you go to a good ethical breeder, they will be there to support you throughout your journey as a hamster keeper. If you have any questions, a good breeder will be there to answer them, and they will help you as best they can.
In Ontario, there are 3 active ethical breeders recognized by OHC, Mister Saddlebags Hamstery, the Burrow Hamstery, and Strong Brew Hamstery. Other Canadian breeders recognized by OHC are: Silversage Hamstery in Kamloops BC and Cloverline Hamstery in Ponoka County AB.