pet shop - buying hamster

reggie

Am thinking of getting daughter a hamster - would like to go to a reputable and knowledgeable pet shop in Caerphilly/Llantrisant/Cardiff area - any recommendations? Don't want to go to one of the larger chain pet stores.

Apricot

There is an independant pet shop in Clifton St, Splott that sells hamsters. Address is here
Also, if you go to the indoor market in Cardiff Town Centre, upstairs there are one or two pet shops selling all sorts of animals.

ALWAYS_POOR

There's a nice pet shop in Whitchurch Village, Cardiff and another good one just off Albany Road, Cardiff - near Peacocks I think.

Blakey1982

hello
i know you said no big stores but i got 2 hamsters from pets at home and they still going strong, really friendly and playful too.

Other than that upstairs in cardiff market as princessleah said

ecsb

blakeys reply could have been written by me, so diitto.
the more they are handled and played with the friendlier they become.

Blakey1982

mine actually like Michael Jackson music....weird. Got them on the computer desk in my office so they can here me and see me.

Fast little things though - they're Roborovski hamster and dont half move

Ketchup04

I know you said you were planning on going to a small pet shop and I can't recommend any in your area, but to anyone else planning on getting a small pet please don't go to Pets at Home. There's plenty of websites trying to shut them down.
I bought a little girl hamster from there (the New Malden store) about a year ago but she didn't have a chance. I got her as she was being bullied by the others, which the staff didn't care about. The girl I bought her off told even me they don't handle them 'because they bite' which of course they wouldn't do if they handled them properly. But anyway, the animals there aren't bred properly, my little fatty had a womb infection that meant she had to be put to sleep at about 6 months. I've had more than 10 hamsters but never bought one from there and she's the only one who hasn't lived past 2 years.
They are also known to mix the sexes up so you could walk away with a pregnant hamster (probably by her brother so the babies would be even worse).
I don't mean to have a rant (which I know I have sorry) But they treat their animals so badly I just want them closed down as soon as possible
I've stopped buying anything from there which wont hurt them but if enough people do it might.
Sorry again

Apricot

Agree with you there ketchup. My nan bought my sis a hamster from PAH a few years ago. She was told it was a boy. On New Years Day hamster had 9 babies! My mum was not too pleased!

I also know people who have bought rabbits from there and had endless problems. I think because so many people use them, they are only concerned with quantity rather than quality of the animals.

Plus, its important to support your local businesses x

Blakey1982

good cases here - guess the key is to buy from a store/local business who's staff are fully trained.

That New Malden store of PAH sounds dreadful Ketchup!!

Lady_Fluff

NOT the one in Cardiff Market please, the poor little fluffs look in poor condition every time I walk past them, and have boys and girls in together so you may well end up with a preggers girl if you're not careful. Nearly as horrible as the one in Pontypridd, which is also a horrid place to go. I can sex a Syrian hamster easily, but, despite working with them all day, I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who cannot. One thing I've learnt since becoming a Mad Hamster Lady (C) is that you can't trust what the people in pet shops tell you most of the time. They are not animal professionals and are no different to someone in a clothes shop trying to sell you a shirt.
That said, my first hamster came from TwinPet in Porth and she was a beautiful friendly little girl who lived to the grand old age (for a hammy) of 2 years and 2 months. They have lovely clean pens there, friendly staff and seem to actually care about the animals. Not too far from Caerphilly either really. Also recommended is the forum on www.madabouthamsters.com - loads of good advice on hamsters, their care and stuff. Really recommend taking their advice on cages over the pet shop's as well. I have yet to come across a pet shop that doesn't sell rubbish (IMO) cages or at least dispense advice about what is suitable for hammies. Most commercially available cages are designed for the owner's enjoyment rather than the welfare of hamsters.

Bagpuss741

Please do not buy one from Cardiff market as one stall there has recently been on a Welsh consumer programme because they sell underage animals that should still be with their mother:mad: