Adopting, Fostering or Surrendering a Hamster

Adopting

Hamsters are animals that are often purchased from a pet store and then discarded when the person decides they are not invested in caring for this animal. If you would like to help out an animal in need I highly suggest checking out your local shelter or searching for small animal rescues in your area (a list of rescues is provided at the bottom of this page). You can also use Adopt a Pet or PetFinder to find hamsters looking for homes.

PetFinder

Adopt a Pet- input your zip code and select “hamster”

Ham Ham Love Adoption and Transport - This is a Facebook group to help connect those looking to rehome their hamsters with those looking for a hamster. If you are looking to surrender your hamster you can post here to find someone in your area looking to adopt a hamster.

Hamster Adoption/Rehoming/Transport - another FB group to help you find a home for your hamster OR to look for adoptable hamsters!

Midwest Hamster Adoption & Rehoming Facebook Group - for those of you in the Midwest US, this is a great place to find hamster looking for a home (or post your hamster if you need to rehome them). This group is moderated to make sure that interactions are respectful and backyard breeders are not selling hamsters.

Fostering

Fostering hamsters is a great way to help a hamster in need in addition to helping your local rescue where they are often filled to capacity. If you already have a hamster or two, fostering is fairly easy and very rewarding! (take it from me!)

Being a foster not only frees up space at the small animal rescue so they can take in another homeless ham, it also gives the hamster a chance to get some more one-on-one attention to help prepare them for their future, forever home. Hamsters who have been surrendered, placed in small cages at city animal shelters then taken in by small animal rescues have been through quite a lot. By fostering & providing them with a quiet, caring home, you can help reduce stress for these little guys so their personalities can shine!

Even if you can only take one hamster, it’s still a huge help.

I encourage you to reach out to a small animal rescue near you if you think you have room for a few more tiny souls in your living space.

Surrendering

Sometimes life happens and we aren’t able to continue to care for our pets. If this is you situation, please do not delay in reaching out to a small animal rescue near you and/or posting in one of these Facebook groups to find an adopter near you:

*Please be sure to start your post with your location! This way you will get the attention of someone near you, right off the bat!

Hamster Adoption/Rehoming/Transport - another FB group to help you find a home for your hamster OR to look for adoptable hamsters!

Please do not expect to drop off your hamster with a small animal rescue the moment you reach out to them.

While many small animal rescues are filled to capacity due to an influx of unwanted animals purchased during Covid-times, they may be able to help connect you with potential adopters.

You may need to continue to care for your hamster until the rescue can find & vet a new home for your hamster.

Above all else, please remember that hamsters have short lives and every moment counts. If you truly can’t care for them, find them someone who can. But if it’s just a matter of not being able to bond with your hamster, there are many videos on YouTube and a rich Instagram community for inspiration and tips. Hamsters can be very rewarding pets, but you do have to give them the opportunity to shine ✨

If you need help bonding with your hamster, asking for help in these FB groups may help you! - Hamster Lovers Community Russian Dwarf Hamster Help Group Dwarf Hamster Owners/Breeders/Lovers Ham Ham Love & Care Syrian Hamster Lovers Group

By purchasing or acquiring a hamster you have taken on the responsibility of making sure they live a life free of suffering. Please give them this basic kindness.

Hamster or Small Animal Rescues:

*If you know of a great hamster rescue near you, please email me at: rachelgothamsters at gmail.com so I can include them in the list below.

USA:

Arizona

Home Sweet Hammy Home - small animal rescue (Tucson, AZ) Instagram Support them by shopping their Amazon Wishlist!

California:

Pasadena Humane Society Instagram

Rescue Cottage (LA area)

Hamster Rescue (Southern California) Support Hamster Rescue by shopping on their Amazon Wishlist or donate via Venmo

The Rescue Garden (South LA)

Orange Rodent Rescue (Orange County, CA) *now closing, please adopt from them if possible!

Wee Companions- Guinea Pig & Hamster Rescue (San Diego) Find out how to donate here.

California Parrot & Exotics (Modesto, CA)

Radical Rodent Rescue (SF Bay Area)

South Bay Rodent Rescue (Lawndale, CA)

Little Heart Rescue Group (Ripon, CA) - Primarily bunnies and guinea pigs, but some hamsters too!

LA County Shelter Website

LA City Shelters Website

Small Animals of West LA (Insta account showcasing available small animals) - Support West LA Hamsters by donating from their Amazon Wish List
Small Animals of South LA (insta account showcasing available small animals) - Support South LA hamsters by donating from their Amazon Wish List
Bunnies of East Valley (insta account showcasing available small animals)
Bunnies of North Central (insta accnt showcasing avail small animals) - support North Central LA hamsters & small animals by donating from their Amazon Wish List

Connecticut

Ruff & Scratchy Small Animal Rescue (Hamden, CT)

Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter - rescues many types of animals, including small animals (Branford, CT)

Rescue Me Small Animal Placement (Berlin, CT)

Our Companions Animal Rescue (Manchester, CT)

Colorado

Gretta’s Hamster Rescue (Denver area) - for more info on this rescue please see this lovely news story!

Florida

Mel’s Neighborhood Rodents (South Florida) an ethical gerbil & mouse breeder, Mel’s also acts as a rescue for small animals to help find them happy homes. She will even help you out with providing a species appropriate enclosure with your adoption!

Duchess Hamster Rescue

Georgia
Conyers Hamster Rescue (Conyers, GA) currently closed for surrenders but open to adoptions! 😀

Indiana

the Pipsqueakery - started as a hamster rescue and now rescues many types of small animals. Instagram. (Bloomington, IN)

Tippecanoe Exotic Animal Rescue & Sanctuary (Lafayette, IN)

Georgia:

Hammies Hamster Haven: a Facebook rehoming group dedicated to finding homes for hamsters in Georgia. Post a pic and location if you are looking to rehome your hamster, or check here if you’re looking for a hamster in need of a home!

Louisiana

Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue - scroll to the bottom to see adoptable hamsters , Instagram (Baton Rouge, LA)

Maryland

Small Angels Rescue - small animal rescue (Frederick County, Md)

Luna’s House- rescue many animals including small animals like hamsters

Michigan

Rabbit & Small Animal Rescue (Westland, MI)

West Michigan Critter Haven (Grand Rapids, MI)

The Cozy Cavy Guinea Pig Rescue (Holt, MI)

Minnesota

Tiny Whiskers Animal Rescue (Southeast Minnesota)

Minnesota Pocket Pets (St. Paul, MN)