I Don't Want To Buy!

[yummy321pop]

Ok, as many of you know my syrian hamster died a couple weeks back and it was really hard for me. For a long time I didn't want another one because Bella was just so special.

Right now I know I want another pet but I'm sure what I want!

But I'm thinking about hamsters again only this time I wanna try dwarves! My issue is this: NONE of the 3 shelters in my area have dwarves they just have 2 syrians that are a year and half old!!! If I do decide to get another one what do I do?

I DON'T WANNA BUY!!! I couldn't live with myself if I bought from a pet store...

Thanks for your help...

[MouseyMari]

Look on Petfinder(dot)org, you may find dwarves up for adoption there.

A petstore is not as bad as it sounds. MANY stores have healthy animals and know a thing or two, not ALL are hellholes. :)

[yummy321pop]

I looked and they only had syrians that were a looong drive away!!!

I've always been a huge advocate of adpotion. Doesn't matter what kinda pet it seems there are always homeless animals out there that are just what your looking for!

I would feel like a hyporcrite. And on top of that, even though I know it's in my head, the animal would be kinda tainted you know? I'd feel sooo guilty I can't even tell you!

[MouseyMari]

Well, you may be out of options then.

Honestly, buying isn't a sin. You should get the hammy that makes YOU happy.

[LMDH]

If dwarves are what you want then you will just have to wait.

If they are truely what you want then you wont mind waiting for some resues to be available.

[PetLuver21257]

All pet stores aren't that bad at all.... But just if you really want to get one or two from a shelter, wait. But I don't know what the difference is from a shelter or a pet shop because the ones that are put into the shelters WERE from pet shops sometime in their life.

[yummy321pop]

Because if you don't get from the shelter they get euthanzied. Plus, your contributing to the cycle of animals being put in shelters. That's the difference.

[PetLuver21257]

Well listen, I have no animal shelter near me that has hamsters. You should be happy that I got my DOG from an animal shelter and she was just about to be euthanized too. So I saved her life and I CANNOT save hamsters' lives because there are no animal shelters that have hamsters near me, so ya....

[xxFutuReVeTxx]

i agree withg petluver! if there isn't an animal shelter near her, she can get a hammie from a petshop if she want 2.

[dwankrista]

i'm currently having the same debate with myself and have been for a year or more. there are no hams or small animals in shelters here, spare the scattered cavy or bunny that shows up. while syrians are readily available at reputable pet stores (we don't have breeders either) the only place to get dwarves is from a chain which moved in last year and keep their animals in deplorable conditions. they did, however, open a second location, under different management which seems to be better managed and the animals seem to be kept better (the first things i noticed was the aspen bedding rather than the pine at other locations, the smaller store, general healthier look of the critters, etc.) i'm going back there when i get back to the city tomorrow and, if the conditions are still good, i'm purchasing two dwarves. however, i would rather be dwarfless than open up a space at the mill for more animals to be kept in such horrendous circumstances. i rescue where i can as well, since i have volunteered at shelters and the science lab of our provincial wildlife department (which also deals with necropsies and exams on domestic animals who have been found killed/disposed of) in the past and my heart has never quite healed from what i've seen. all of my kitties are rescues, as is my dog. shelters here are bombarded with animals. :(

[PetLuver21257]

Totally agree with you there dwankrista. I agree AND I am in the same situation you are in too.