We've got hamsters!

I know, what's a bird rescue doing with hamsters? Animal control recently had a large number of hamsters surrendered. They were able to place most of the hamsters in local humane societies, who will work to find them homes. However, there were a few remaining. Since we work closely with animal control on birds, they asked if we might be able to help them out with the hamsters.

We didn't want to see them euthanized simply due to lack of homes, so we agreed. We were able to place most of them, but we kept back one female who was suspiciously bigger than the others. Our suspicions were confirmed the next day when she gave birth to a litter of 8 babies!

Since that time, we've learned more than we ever thought we'd know about hamsters! In this video, they are exactly 2 weeks old. Their eyes are open and they are beginning to eat on their own. They should be fully weaned and ready to go to their new homes when they are 4 weeks old -- around June 3.



The mother has been incredibly sweet and tame all throughout this process. We have a home for her, and for several of the babies, but we are looking for homes for the other babies.

Our hand model graciously agreed to let me take a picture of one of the babies. We are handling them from a young age in an effort to keep them tame and gentle.If you're interested in adopting one of the babies, please contact the Center. We're hoping to adopt them out as soon as they are ready since they can reproduce as soon as they are weaned! We need to prevent that, so we will have to house them in separate enclosures once that occurs. They would be much happier going directly to a forever, loving home!