Looking for rescue rodents

[Gattona]

Does anyone know of anywhere looking for homes for rescued rodents in reach of London or Essex (UK) A friend is talking about buying a hamster for her children.

They are quite responsible children and were good at handling our ratty girls when we had them so I'm not worried from that point of view but I AM of course not wanting them to get any animal from a pet shop. Their mum would listen to me but I need information for her. I think rats would be good as they can be so sociable, but rescue hamsters? Is there such an organisation?

Thanks

[Gattona]

Okay, maybe I didn't need to post this question. Could have googled first - hangs head in shame ...


http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/rabferr.html

[Adena]

I'm really glad you did post it, because I've been wondering the same thing and it was good to stumble upon as I didn't use the noggin to google it lol

[Gattona]

I'm glad it is useful for you, I don't feel quite so silly now.

[Lynn]

Our local Sspca centre has recently started taking in rodents, so it might be worth your while contacting your nearest centre incase they have any . Ours has hamsters, rats and degus looking for new homes sadly.

[Tofu Monkey]

You can sign up to fancy-rats.co.uk/community and there's a rescue forum on there for rats and quite often a lot of other animals too. These are normally small centres or people who rescue just because they're passionate about the wellfare of anmals. I've adopted 5 rats this year alone.

[Sgable84]

To bad you don't live in the states. In Chicago, there is a rat rescue that takes in homeless or abandon rats (and sometimes other rodents)

But for sure, check into your local shelters, sometimes you would be surprised what they have.

[Hel]

the fancyrats site has a good rehoming section, just make sure you follow all the rules if you post on there though LOL also look for other hamster forums, most have rehoming sections. Some hamsters are not suitable for kids because they bite, i think its the small ones rather than the syrian. Personally id try and sway them to getting some rats, 2 or 3 boys would be lovely for kids, my kids are 6 and 4 and they love helping with every part of rat keeping

[Gattona]

Looks like the consensus is rats then. I agree, they are so sociable and friendly and I like the idea - and know that others will disagree - of rats needing a home going to this family.And its certainly better than the dad just going to a petshop which was the original plan. The mum is in agreement too. Thanks for all the contact ideas.

[Charlotte]

The RSPCA *envisages start of angry tirades* have rats, hamsters, mice, gerbils, degus,guinea pigs and chinchillas looking for homes.

Dwarf hamsters aren't great for kids- not sure about being more prone to biting but they are very fast and not 'petting' pets. Syrians are better in that regard.

[Hel]

again, without starting an argument, I know round here if i got rats from a rat rescue rather than the rspca they would have had a better health / temperament assesment which i think, when its a first time owner with children, is important. I have took on rats with behavourial issues due to their hideous starts in life and been able to sort them out but i would have paniced as a first time owner!

[fiamma]

Dwarf hamsters aren't great for kids- not sure about being more prone to biting but they are very fast and not 'petting' pets. Syrians are better in that regard.

Completely agree I would certainly tend more towards Syrians, but make sure they are given a large enough cage. I would also steer away from "Rotastak" type cages, unless the mother is sure the kids will be up for cleaning all those tubes week in week out...

[harpy]

Just wanted to mention that there are sometimes small local rescue organisations that take in and rehome a variety of different types of animal - the local vet will probably know of any. But again, I guess a specialist one might be better from the point of view of character assessments etc though.