Adopt a hamster
Thinking about adopting a hamster from Woodgreen? Here’s everything you need to know before getting started.
Is a hamster the right pet for me?
Whether you’re new to hamsters, or you’ve experienced the joy of owning them before, getting a new pet is always a big decision.
To learn more about caring for hamsters, visit our ‘Which small pets are right for me?’ page.
Read on to learn more about hamster needs and our adoption process. This is your first step towards possibly meeting a new furry friend!
Here’s what hamster ownership involves
Preparing for a hamster
Thinking of adopting a hamster from Woodgreen? Before you apply, it’s worth taking some time to read through our ‘Caring for hamsters’ guide. It covers everything from diet and housing to behaviour and health — so you can feel confident you’re ready to give your hamster the life they deserve.
What caring for hamsters looks like
Here’s what to factor in:
Lifespan
Lifespan
Hamsters live for one and a half to three years.
Monthly costs
Monthly costs
A hamster typically costs around £25 a month, including food, bedding and toys.
Medical
Medical
Common health problems include wet tail, tumours and parasites.
Insurance
Insurance
Pet insurance is worth considering for a hamster. It won’t cover everything, but it can take the edge off unexpected treatment costs. Shop around to find a policy that works for you and your hamster.
How to give your hamster a great life
Hamsters may be smaller than your average pet, but you might be surprised by how much energy they have! They love to keep busy and will spend hours foraging for food, digging, and making burrows. This means they need plenty of space and enrichment to explore and live their best life.
Accommodation
The minimum cage or tank size for a hamster
Syrian and Chinese hamsters
- 100cm wide by 50cm deep by 50cm high*.
- Bar spacing 1cm.
*Female Syrian hamsters tend to be more energetic and active, and may need a larger enclosure to keep them happy.
A 100cm by 50cm Bucatstate tank suitable for a Syrian or Chinese hamster.
Dwarf and Roborovski hamsters
- 100cm wide by 50cm deep by at least 40cm high.
- Bar spacing – 7mm is the safest option.
A 100cm by 50cm tank suitable for a Dwarf or Roborovski hamster.
Learn more about ideal hamster accommodation.
Hamster companionship
All species of hamster need to live alone, as it is no longer considered good welfare to house more than one hamster together.
If you have any questions, our team can help.
Here’s what we’ll ask from you
To ensure every hamster goes to a safe, happy and suitable home, here’s what we need to see:
- Appropriate accommodation that meets at least the minimum size requirements (more space is always better!)
- Enrichment and setup in line with our care guide, to support natural behaviours and wellbeing.
- Hamsters need to live alone.
- Photos of your setup, including tape measurements so we can confirm sizing.
- A willingness to work with us and take on any advice or small changes needed to meet our standards.
Travel arrangements
To minimise the stress of travelling, we rehome all hamsters within three hours of Godmanchester. If you live further away, unfortunately we may be unable to rehome to you.
What happens next
After you apply, we’ll give you a call within two days. If we are unable to reach you, we will send you an email, so please check your junk mail as sometimes our emails end up there.
Frequently asked questions
View our full small pet adoption FAQs
Is a hamster the right pet for me?
Is a hamster the right pet for me?
Here are a few things to think about before you apply:
- Hamsters live for around 1.5-3 years.
- They need space with lots of bedding, toys and enrichment.
- They must live alone.
- A hamster costs around £25 a month to care for.
Not sure if a hamster is the right pet for you? Our guide to choosing the right small pet species is a great place to start.
How much does it cost to adopt a hamster from Woodgreen?
How much does it cost to adopt a hamster from Woodgreen?
Our adoption fee for a hamster is £12.
How long does the adoption process take?
How long does the adoption process take?
Once you’ve submitted your application, we aim to get back to you within two days, though it may be a little longer during busy periods.
From there, timelines can vary depending on your setup approval.
It’s worth starting your application as soon as you’re ready to begin the process.
I've seen a hamster on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
I've seen a hamster on your website that I want to adopt — when can I reserve them?
Once we’ve reviewed your application and approved your setup, we’ll talk to you about the hamsters we have available at that time. You can then reserve your preferred hamster. Because of this, your preferred hamster when applying may not be available by the time your setup has been approved.
Can I reserve a specific hamster before my setup is approved?
Can I reserve a specific hamster before my setup is approved?
Unfortunately not. We can only let you reserve a hamster once your application has been reviewed and your setup approved. At that point, we’ll talk you through who we have available and you can choose from there.
Keep in mind that a hamster you have your eye on when you apply may have been rehomed by the time your setup is approved. So we’d encourage you to apply as soon as you’re ready to start the process.
Ready to adopt a hamster?
Once you feel ready to adopt, you can start your application.
If you don’t have everything in place just yet, that’s fine! You just need to show you’re willing to work with us to create the best home for your hamster.