Because of the recent media attention on the problems caused by pet releases, many pet stores may be willing to take back unwanted pets, rather than risk having it set free. As the hamster hasnt had to defend itself against larger animals in captivity, it would likely be killed by a predator, like a cat. Arranging a private sale to a friend, family member, acquaintance, or stranger. Once hes in your hands, hold him close to your body so that he doesnt feel like hes going to fall. Someone from Omaha, NE just viewed Best Colleges for Food, Copyright 2023 Bankovia.com|All rights reserved|Sitemap | News | How We Make Money | Editorial Standards. How much room Petco has at any one moment determines whether or not it will accept an unwanted hamster back. A hamster that is used to spending time outside of its cage and exploring with its owner may feel bored when suddenly left alone in its cage. Most hamsters sold by pet stores are 6-8 weeks old and retail at about $10-20. Some pet stores will accept unwanted hamsters back with a valid receipt within 14 days of the sale. Trying to hold and play with an ill or injured hamster can create stress that slows down healing. As hamsters have short lifespans, few traders will pay for an adult. There are a variety of hamster toys that are designed to be chewed so your hamster's teeth can be properly cared for, and an exercise wheel will allow a hamster to run as much as they want. Doing these things will ensure you rehome your hamster to someone who will love it as a pet instead of someone looking for snake food or a lab test subject. Theres no easy way to say this: sometimes people just realize that they cant keep their hamster, and they need to return it to the store. Some only take cats and dogs, while others have the facilities to take in hamsters and other small animals. Even in motherhood, females spend only a few weeks with her young. Although they are small, these agile creatures can easily bite if frightened or mishandled. Live or dead fish can be returned to PetSmart within 14 days of purchase, customer service representatives for PetSmart said. The first thing you should do is reach out to your local humane society or animal shelter. Also, as per The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents, Syrian hamsters are commonly used in lab experiments. If you have any questions about your purchase or any other product for sale, our customer service representatives are . Create a tiny nest and cover the jar with a cloth or shredded paper to limit the hamsters movements during the final minutes. To safely leave your hamster alone, you can do a few things: Leave your hamster only dry shelf-stable food. A sick hamster should not be released into the wild as this can spread disease to other animals. Return to a store (Its Free!). Pets at Home will rehome unwanted hamsters. Hamster encounters. Returns via a Pets at Home store Simply take the order confirmation email you received when you placed the order and the product you wish to return to a store and tell the sales assistant you bought it online. Any fees you are charged may be donated to the animal shelter where the animal was taken in for adoption. Facebook decides whether a profile belongs to a business or an individual. Companion Animals explains that hamsters are prey animals. Self-easing may become labored with strange scents. Stores wont take on hamsters if they dont know their age and health condition. Search for anything. This doesnt mean they want to live in a waste dump, but that they enjoy knowing right where their food stash is and the familiar smell of a well-used sleeping den. Returns via a Pets at Home store Simply take the order confirmation email you received when you placed the order and the product you wish to return to a store and tell the sales assistant you bought it online. Although hamsters cannot live as long as other pets such as cats and dogs, they can still make excellent pets. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. Questions? [Old Enough + Too Old], 10 Most Common Syrian Hamster Old Age Symptoms, 4 Different Types of Small Pet Hamster Species (with Pictures), Is It Normal for A Hamster To Dig? Training a hamster. city of weslaco code enforcement . We wanted to give you a few more general tips for keeping your hamster comfortable when you need to leave it alone. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Instead, make sure you hold or interact directly with your hamster at least once every 48 hours. 5 Certain Reasons You Should Know! When picking up a hamster, its important to cup your hands around him so that he feels secure. Moving from a breeder or supplier to a store can be a stressful period for baby hamsters, and they will often get sick from it. The distance from the vets clinic to your home and other location-based factors may also determine how much it costs in the end. A store would never euthanize an animal not only because it doesn't make sense but is also blatantly not allowed by store policy. You may also have to consider that smaller hamster breeds have different cage needs than the larger Syrian varieties, since cage wire spacing can determine whether or not a hamster is able to escape. We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content. If your hamster keeps climbing the walls of its cage and escaping, get a glass habitat that cant be easily ascended and keep the roof securely in place. With thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has something for everyone. Hamsters and children. This price is low because hamsters have short lives, usually around two years. Males and females come together to mate, only to separate quickly afterwards. Return your hamster to PETCO. From my personal experience, Petco has been better than petsmart. All rights reserved. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. When he's not reading about cryptocurrencies, he's researching the latest personal finance software. Sign up for our newsletter. We will make every effort to find a loving home for your hamster. You may struggle to find a pet store willing to take on a hamster, let alone buy it from you. We created Pet Educate to ensure that any owner can get access to the information they need to take the best care of their pet. Most hamsters sold by pet stores are 6-8 weeks old and retail at about $10-20. eBay doesnt allow the sale of live animals. If you no longer want a hamster, youll need to find it a safe and loving home. Even if you dont want the hamster anymore, you should still ensure it doesnt come to any harm. They have a habit of hoarding food in their bedding. David Krug is the CEO & President of Bankovia. This will prevent their teeth from overgrowing. Manage Settings If keeping your pet is no longer viable, you should consider rehoming the hamster. It is best to keep the temperature between 68 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity between 30 and 70%. Also, you may want to wrap up the corpse in several layers of plastic before dumping the body. Signs of, Hamsters have short lifespans because smaller animals endure more metabolic stress than larger animals. Hamsters are popular pets for children and adults alike. Some pet stores will accept unwanted hamsters back with a valid receipt within 14 days of the sale. IF you cant take care of the animal and cannot find someone who will go to a pet store and explain your, and the hamsters problem. To get a refund, youll need to show evidence of purchase in the form of a valid ID and the original receipt. Bury the hamster in an out-of-the-way plot, at least three feet deep, to ensure that it wont be unearthed by other animals. As you can see, owning a hamster is not a cheap undertaking. Giving the hamster to a friend or family member. -Other supplies: $5-$10. You may also want to buy treats for your hamster to eat, while vitamin supplements will be . You can take an unwanted hamster, In total, there are at least 20 species of hamsters. Encounters between hamsters that don't know each other can result in violent fights. It is wise not to try and introduce two hamsters into the same living space. Hamsters can also send messages to others by emitting chemicals using scent glands. David Krug is the CEO & President of Bankovia. Ive raised several lovely creatures from childhood with the aim of being the best pet parent I can be. In theory, nothing can stop you from selling your pet hamster to a third party, as you dont need a license to sell an adult or baby hamster online or in person. If you paid with a credit card, the refund will be credited back to your account. Keeping a hamster around may harm your respiratory system if youre allergic to animal dander. The truth is that your hamster probably likes a somewhat dirtier cage than you do. But if youre prepared to take on the responsibility (and expense), then youre well on your way to becoming a great hamster owner! For young children, this can be problematic, especially if the hamster bites their sensitive fingers. Even if you find a willing professional, the procedure can be quite expensive. Greens are a good option to offer daily; parsley, kale, romaine, peas, and squash are all good options. Also, personal circumstances can change, meaning you can no longer care for the hamster. Not every hamster in the pet store is in optimal health. A hamster needs a cage that is at least 18 inches by 12 inches, with a height of at least 12 inches. While many of us try to prolong the rodents life as much as possible, there comes a time when putting down the sick hamster seems to be the best way forward. Suck on the hose to get rid of maximum amount of air in the bag containing the baking soda and vinegar prior to putting the hose in the euthanasia chamber jar. No matter how long youve kept a hamster, Petco will take it in under the Think Adoption First program, which accepts all unwanted pets in good health. Hamsters are common pets. According toThe Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents, Syrian hamsters are commonly used in laboratory experiments. Offering 5-10 tablets of Tylenol PM should do the trick but expect your hamster to look disoriented after overdosing on the painkillers. When your hamster does not have the strength to pee or poop like normal. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return it to one of our retail store locations. This may mean calling in a friend or family member to offer or lend a hand of support to your hamster here. Hamsters are small animals that can be very cute and cuddly. We will then look at how to safely leave your hamster for longer durations and provide tips that may be able to help you extend your time away. Boarding houses that host small or 'pocket' animals also have specialized areas to be in a calm and safe environment. For instance, you can expect to pay substantially more for such services in Manhattan, NYC compared to a rural town in Arkansas. Dont ask for a financial donation for your hamster in these instances. There are a number of reasons why you might need to return your hamster to Petco. Read our, Choosing the Best Cage for Your Syrian Hamster, Determine Whether or Not a Hamster Is the Right Pet For You, The 5 Most Popular Hamster Species Kept as Pets, How to Care for a Pet Winter White Dwarf Hamster, How to Care for a Pet Robo (Roborovski) Hamster. -Toys: $5-$10 [Activity Guide]. After all, hamsters originate from wild habitats, and domesticated pets are ill-equipped to survive. Petco will also reimburse the price of a dead hamster that is returned to them. Few things are more admirable than the sight of a pet responding to its name when called. A hamster with dental issues may stop eating. If you remain convinced that you want to sell your hamster, you have the following options: Ask if anybody you know would be interested in buying the hamster. Never give them human or another animals medicine as they are dangerous to hamsters. However, if the breeder or other source does not want the hamster back, then taking it to a Humane Society or animal shelter should be your next step. Also, personal circumstances can change, meaning you can no longer care for the hamster. If your hamster is older than 8 weeks, youll need to reduce your asking price from what a pet store would expect. As mentioned earlier, hamsters get frightened easily. Hamsters can be unfriendly if theyre not tamed properly. Day 30 When she's not blogging or spending time with her family, you can usually find her rooting around in the garden or at the hardware store. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? Overdosing on Tylenol can kill hamsters but the process may be quite slow and painful. An honest chat with your vet to understand the true state of the hamsters health can be a great start. If you gain interest in your hamster from a stranger, ask some questions to the potential buyer. can you return a hamster to pets at home. But if that is not viable due to accessibility or financial reasons , the method above is as painless as it comes in DIY hamster euthanasia. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! We recommend always calling on a vet to euthanize sick pets including hamsters. As long as you follow the steps below, a successful outcome is likely. Due to an average lifespan of around two years and a low asking price at nationwide pet stores, the demand for rescue hamsters is limited, especially as they age. However, this comes down to individual stores and their policies. Hamsters are one of the most popular pet options for both children and adults. Unconsciousness typically sets in when exposed to over 33 percent of CO2 and a peaceful death becomes inevitable when the concentration levels hit over 80 percent. The proper daily care of your hamster can improve its lifespan. Here are the most popular options available. Theres no specific price to pay for professional hamster euthanasia services. Most items can be returned through any one of these options: 1. A high metabolism releases free radicals,, In total, there are at least 20 species of hamsters. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Besides they sometimes can climb stairs and often can squeeze under doors! This is a good time for special seed treats like sunflower seeds! You may bring your hamster to a Petco store to be treated in the wellness room if it becomes unwell during the first 30 days of its purchase. Sometimes the need to leave our hamster completely alone is inevitable. They don't recognize siblings from the same litter as their family, so brothers and sisters may, Hamsters only have short lifespans of around 2 to 2.5 years. These factors can come into play when determining the cost of getting a sick hamster put down. The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! The previous section covered ways to keep your hamster safe when you need to leave it alone. If your hamster squeals or becomes anxious, return them to their safe space. Try taking it to them if its been 30 days since you received it. Whether you get a refund is a matter of discussion between you and the store. Within 30 days of the original purchase, the hamster can be returned for any reason, including illness, death, or unhappiness. You can finally check the chamber to confirm death and make plans for disposal of the dead body. Find a new home for your hamster with a friend or family member. Nothing beats knowing your fuzzy pal is doing alright and waiting for your return. Consider allowing your kids and other family members to spend some time with the hamster too to ensure a proper goodbye from everyone. Additional methods include cervical dislocation and even Tylenol overdose. Many of these organizations have programs in place specifically for small pets like hamsters, and they may be able to take your pet in and find it a new home. Hamster breeding is not something the casual hamster owner should do. It is best left to hamster breeders who are breeding for specific qualities and temperaments but accidents do happen. You should handle a sick hamster with care since some of the bacteria strains can spread to people. Hamsters are not aggressive pets but if they are scared or startled they may bite. Hamsters are typically low-maintenance pets but proper care is essential to keeping them happy and healthy. But how do you humanely euthanize a pet hamster at home when you have no access to a vet or cant afford one? As the acid reacts with the baking soda, a fizzing sound will likely be heard. Here is what my veterinarian recommended. You buy a hamster on a whim, thinking it will be a fun and low-maintenance pet. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This piece of advice might seem a bit strange. Depending on the height of the fall, the broken neck can be so severe that it ends up killing the hamster. If you are looking for a pet that doesnt need grazing space like a horse, or daily walks like a dog, then a hamster may be very appealing! It will only be possible to leave your hamster alone for a month if you have somebody come and check up on your hamster, replace their food, clean their cage and provide access to fresh water. Hopefully, I can share my experiences with everyone. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site I created to share everything Ive learned about pet ownership over the years and my extensive research along the way. Will Petco take unwanted pets? Yes. Be patient and let your hamster walk onto your hand, maybe offering a treat to keep the experience as positive as possible. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. A hamster is one of the pets available for purchase at Petco. Double-check your hamster's cage for escape routes Leave Your Hamster Dry Food Try not to wake it up, and instead entice it to climb onto your hand on its own using a tasty treat. But if you offer a pelleted diet instead of a seed mixture and supplement it with a variety of other safe foods, you will be providing your hamster with everything it needs to thrive. However, the vast majority of their diet should be made up of plants. He's a lifelong expat who has lived in the Philippines, Mexico, Thailand, and Colombia. That's why you need to buy a healthy hamster one free from illness and disease that could cut, It's normal for a hamster's fur to change color. People blame Petco for fish deaths because they cant accept the responsibility of killing an animal. Many Pets at Home stores have adoption centers (run by the Pets at Home Foundation), which is a charity that finds suitable homes for animals that can no longer be cared for. Within 30 days we will refund you and put the pet back on the floor for full price if it is not sick or injured.