Philippine Hamster Keepers

REHOMING PROCESS

Here are the steps in our Adoption Process

1. COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS
   • ALL items on our requirements list should be completed before we rehome any of our hamsters.
   • We do not charge any “Rehoming Fees.”
   • Our requirements are only the BARE MINIMUM, but adopters are encouraged to provide more enriching cages.
   • We do not “RESERVE” hamsters. Only applicants who have at least the cage and wheel can choose a hamster.

2. SEND PROOF OF THE REQUIREMENTS
   • We will be asking for photos of your complete requirements and the room / environment where the hamster cage will be placed.
   • We might also ask / schedule a video call if needed.

3. ANSWER THE PRE-ADOPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
   • This will review adopters on their knowledge of basic hamster care.
   • It also includes questions on adopter’s personal details such as the address where the hamster will be housed.

4. HAMSTER PICK UP
   • Personal pick-ups are encouraged.
   • Booking a Grab Car is also acceptable, if the adopter cannot personally pick-up the hamster.

ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS

Adoption applicants must have ALL these items prepared before we rehome any of our rescued hamsters.

1. CAGE
   • at least 360 square inches for dwarves and 420 square inches for Syrians
   • roughly translates to the ff. Megabox sizes:
     58L for dwarf, 100L for Syrian
     
   • These are just minimum size requirements, BIGGER CAGES are always better.
   • Should have a safety top cover, especially for aquariums.
   • Should be well-ventilated.
   • Should be placed indoors.

2. EXERCISE WHEEL
   • at least 18 cm in diameter for dwarves
   • at least 21 cm in diameter for Syrians
   • Again, bigger wheels are encouraged.
   • Should be solid, not wired.

3. SAFE BEDDINGS
   • Kusot Palochina is unacceptable.
     (Local kusot is made from pine, which has toxic phenols)
   • Best Option: Paper-based beddings (Carefresh, CritterCare, Small Pet Select, Luxber, Kaytee, YEE, Jonsanty brands)
   • Best Option in Wood Shavings: Aspen (Crediball Pythons Aspen Shavings, Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding, Franny & Friends Aspen)
   • Other Acceptable Options: Birch shavings: Sundog, Emily Pets, ONO brands
   • Wood Shavings should be sifted to strain dust and remove large shards

4. PROPER FOOD MIX
   • should have a wide variety of seeds AND a good protein source or Lab Blocks
   • giving poultry pellets, hog food (Integra) or dog food as main diet is unacceptable.
   • Best Option for Lab Blocks: Smartheart Complete (light green packaging), Mazuri for Rat and Mouse
   • Best Options for Food Mix: Rodipet, Bunny Nature Expert, Hamix or Jamix Complete Food, Bucatstate Complete Food, Higgins Sunburst for Syrians

5. REQUIRED ACCESSORIES AND ENRICHMENT
   • Ceramic hides or tile / cooling plate
   • tunnels and burrowing toys
   • bathing sand: should be calcium-free and unscented (Crediball, Zoo Med Reptisand brand, Exo Terra Desert Sand)

6. HEALTH KIT
   • Recovery Food: Any of the ff:
     Oxbow Critical Care/
     Burgess Excel Dualcare/
     Supreme Science Selective Recovery Plus VET
   • Funds for Vet Clinic visits: It is of extreme importance that adopters have funds specifically for emergencies or health checks. All our hamsters are rescued. We do not know the pedigree nor medical history of these hamsters, hence, extra caution and preparation is required.
   • Smallest tuberculin syringe (for feeding, medication)
   • Optional: Pet cooling / heating pad

Items on this list have have been deemed appropriate by PHK, with the conscious consideration of hamster keeping practices and resources available in the Philippine context.

Send us a message if you have any questions or need help in sourcing these requirements.

ADOPTION TERMS

All adopters will be required to sign a binding contract, which will have these terms:

1. AGE REQUIREMENT
   • Adopters must be of legal age to sign the Agreement with Hamdoption.
     
2. HAMSTER’S NEEDS FIRST
   • All the requirements are essential and to be provided BEFORE adopting. For items that cannot be photographed (vet funds), it is understood that the adopter has this prepared. To validate photos, the date should be included. (Sample photos will be provided)
     
3. PROPER KEEPING AT ALL TIMES
   • We put the hamsters’ health as our utmost priority. Proper pet care must be observed at all times. Hamdoption uses Philippine Hamster Keepers (PHK) as a reference for proper keeping practices.
   • It is imperative that an adopter has done prior research, and has at least read the PHK Caresheets.
   • Hamdoption practices the ONE HAMSTER PER CAGE Policy. All adopted hamsters should be kept solitarily in their cage.
     
4. BREEDING IS NOT ALLOWED.
   • All adopted hamsters must not be paired nor subject to breeding.
   • Hamdoption is against backyard breeders and unethical pet millers. Most of our hamsters came from accidental litters as well. We wish to end this cycle and promote proper keeping instead.
     
5. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
   • Rehoming of an adopted hamster is not allowed. This includes selling, trading or transferring to another home. Should the need to rehome arise, the hamster should be returned to Hamdoption.
     
6. REGULAR UPDATES
   • To ensure that the hamster is in good condition, we require a regular once-a-month update via photos or videos. Updates can be sent through our Facebook or Instagram Pages.
   • In case of hamster illness, death, and other unexpected occurrences, adopter must inform Hamdoption immediately.
   • Adopter should also also comply with additional (and/or) random checks within 24-hours of first notice. Updates should include clear photos of the hamster, its enclosure and the date. (Photo sample will be provided.)
   • For transparency, we also require all adopters to submit a photo of their newly-adopted hamster and the cage, for posting on our social media pages.
   • Adopters will automatically be added to the PHK Groups or Group Chats, to encourage posting of photos and sending of updates.

Failure to comply would nullify this agreement and result to relinquishing hamster ownership to Hamdoption.

Updated on November 25, 2022.
Subject to revisions without prior notice.