Yes You Can Have A Hamster

Yes, You Can Have a Hamster!

You can rent out a hamster and all of the accompanying equipment for a set price per week. If the child decides, they indeed want to keep this hamster permanently (and the parent agrees), you can sell it to them. You will likely want to charge at least $10 per week for the hamster and decide on a price at which your customers can pay to purchase the hamster later. You will likely want to have them sign a basic rental agreement and include a clause to address sickness or loss. If they lose their rented hamster, they will need to compensate you.

Why is it that every child wants a hamster? Children at some point want a pet of their very own to love. Most parents decide to start them out on the journey of pet ownership with something small to see how they will handle the responsibility. They want something small that will not be too expensive and that won't wreck the house and will be fairly easy to care for. Hamsters fit the bill when it comes to size, price, and cuddle appeal. Therefore, hamsters are the perfect pets! However, what if the child grows bored with their pet within the first week? After buying the cage, food and other equipment, when the child decides they want some other kind of pet or hobby, the parent is left with a pet they must care for themselves. Here is where you come in!

When it comes to hamsters, there are several different breeds to choose from, you will likely want to offer your customers a choice of breed. They range in size, price, and temperament. Never ever, put different species in a cage together! They are all cared for in a similar manner.

Syrian hamsters are the most common breed. They should never share a cage with another of their own or any other species of hamster. Dwarf hamsters are especially adorable because of their small size and they are more social. If they are introduced at a young age, they can be kept in cages as pairs. Chinese hamsters are similar in size to dwarf hamsters but are not really considered dwarves.

You will likely want to print up informative brochures for your pet renters, so that they can keep their critter alive and well while it is in their care. They will need to know that their hamster's cages should be cleaned weekly and should be stored away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and away from drafts. They should also not be kept on the floor but should be on some sort of raised surface such as on a bookcase shelf or tabletop. Suggest all sorts of different things that can be put into the cage for the hamster to play with such as; paper towel tubes, facial tissue, or paper towels for them to shred and make a nest out of.

You will want to be especially diligent when deciding which hamsters to purchase for your business, since you want to ensure that you are placing hamsters in good health with your customers. No one wants to wake up in the morning to a dead pet, rented or otherwise!

Since hamsters are nocturnal creatures, the best time of day to pick them out is the evening, when they are most active. Do not purchase a hamster that is sedate or seems shy. This may be an indication that they are ill. Hamsters should be alert, curious, and friskily scurrying about. They should not have a matted coat but should be well groomed (no goo or droppings), make sure that they do not have a runny nose or eyes, as these signs can all indicate illness. Also, make sure that their breathing is not labored and check their droppings in the cage. If there are any watery droppings (or diarrhea) or any hamsters who seemed to have labored breathing, you may want to avoid all the hamsters kept in that cage, since illnesses are easily spread among hamsters kept together.

Next, you will have to decide what sort of home each hamster will have. You can choose between glass aquariums (make sure it has the appropriately secure cover that also provides air circulation) or the popular wire cage. You may also want to consider plastic cages. There are many shapes and sizes on the market to choose from. However, you will likely be able to find many of the basic supplies needed to care for a hamster at your local charity store, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. You may also want to advertise on ‘craigslist’ or ‘freecycle’ to find them cheaply or even free. So many people have tried out hamsters and changed their minds, so there are lots and lots out there just gathering dust. (You will also need to provide a water bottle and small food dish, so be sure to also collect any sorts of accessories that may accompany the cages.) The less you pay for the equipment, the more profit for you, so take advantage of these sources for cages and hamster toys!

You will likely also benefit by finding out if your local pet store sells food and cage fodder (also called 'bedding') at a discounted rate if it is purchased in bulk. Since you will be renting out several of these little critters at once, you will want to stock up! You can also offer these items at a small profit to the folks who would like to purchase their hamsters outright.

You will also want to decide what kinds of toys or exercise equipment you will include with each hamster. You can figure it into the rental price and offer different packages to your customers; perhaps charging a dollar or two more to include more toys and extra tunnels for climbing, etc. Be sure to include at least one item so that your hamster will remain healthy, because all hamsters need exercise of some sort to avoid becoming ill.

Parents need to know who to call! You will likely want to advertise your hamster rental services by running a visible advertisement in a local phone directory, list your business with an online business directory, and by printing up flyers and posting them in places where families and people with children are likely to visit. Among these places should be elementary schools and day-care centers. Be sure to include popular lunch places and coffee shops too! Most post offices and grocery stores also have bulletin boards that they will allow you to place an advertisement on also. Be sure to take advantage of any public bulletin boards in your immediate area to find the people who are looking for you and your hamsters!

RESOURCES:

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/hamstersgerbils/Pet_Hamsters_and_Gerbils.htm

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/rabbit_horse_and_other_pet_care/how_to_care_for_hamsters.html

http://www.hamsterhideout.com/

http://www.myhammie.com/

http://www.hamsterific.com/

http://www.pets-warehouse.com/vpasp/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes&sppp=16

http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters.asp

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_hamstercare