ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
Thank you for choosing adoption!
HSS advocates for proper and responsible hamster husbandry. Thus, please refer to our cheatsheet to ensure that you have purchased the appropriate supplies!
Please note that some hamsters may have specific requirements which can be found on their respective profiles, e.g. only unbarred cages, or specific brands of food.
If you have yet to purchase your supplies, you may submit a picture of the item(s) you intend to purchase on the application form instead.
Please note the following:
Adoption Fees
Adoption fees are $20 (with effect from 1 December 2020). This fully goes towards Hamster Society Singapore’s fund for vet bills and necessities. HSS is a non-profit shelter run by volunteers.
Hamster Delivery Fee
Adopters may opt for a courier service to ferry their hamster to their house. The cost of the courier would start from $20, according to the distance from the fosterer's to the adopter's residence. Please note that the fosterer will have to be agreeable to this arrangement as well.
Boarding Fees
Adopters are to prepare all of their supplies and arrange a pick-up/drop-off date within 10 days of their passed screening (i.e. when notified that their supplies are approved) due to our high volume of rescues and surrenders. Otherwise, adopters will be subjected to boarding fees of $5/day starting on the 11th day.
An extension of a maximum of 7 days may be considered on a case-by-case basis. We do not accept requests for extensions due to shipping of supplies from overseas.
General notes on applications
The Hamster Society (Singapore) reserves the right to approve or reject an adoption.
As a pet is a lifetime commitment with considerable responsibilities involved, Hamster Society (Singapore) may request other people in the same house to view or interact with the animal and express clear approval for the adoption.
The Hamster Society (Singapore) may conduct house visits to check the premises of the potential adopter and meet the primary caretakers before approval.
If your address on your identity card is different from the address where the hamster will be kept at (foreigners, as well as locals) will need to bring one of the following supporting documents for licensing purposes:
- A copy of the tenancy agreement letter or
- A copy of the latest Power Supply bill
If you have any existing pet(s) at home, the adoption will only be approved provided that appropriate safety measures have been implemented.
Adoption of a Hamster Society (Singapore) hamster cannot be processed for anyone who is below the age of 18, even if they have experience in keeping hamsters, unless the parents are the main caretakers. As the animal's history is not always known, the Hamster Society (Singapore) cannot take the risk of exposing children to uncertain consequences if they were to unknowingly provoke these animals.
Kindly note that hamsters under the care of HSS are rescued from less than ideal situations (e.g. from unethical breeders, abandoned on the streets, etc). Hamster Society Singapore always ensures that the hamsters are healthy before putting them up for adoption. Hamsters with known pre-existing medical conditions will always be declared.
As with all hamsters, not just rescued hamsters, it is likely that some do not have the best genetics and therefore they may be susceptible to illnesses in the (near) future. With this in mind, please only apply to adopt if you are ready to commit to responsible pet care, which includes bringing your adopted hamster(s) to the vet and paying for the necessary medical treatment and care. Please reconsider getting a hamster if you are unable to finance your hamster’s potential vet visits.
Before you consider buying hamsters from pet shops or illegal home breeders instead, please note that those hamsters are from unethical pet mills so their genetics may not be great either. Adopting these rescued hamsters means giving them a forever home and freeing up a foster spot for another rescue. And at the same time, prevent pet shops, illegal home breeders and mills from profiting and breeding even more.
This does not only apply to pet adoption, but pet ownership in general. These hamsters do not have a choice in the lives they had or the bodies they are born in, but you can give them the care they deserve.
Do allow us 3-7 working days to review and get back to you with regards to your application. While we endeavor to respond as fast as possible, our volunteers also have other commitments such as school or work, so your patience is much appreciated!
Incomplete forms or items that do not meet the basic requirements (as listed at the top) will NOT be considered. If you do not have the right items yet, you may submit a picture of the item(s) you intend to purchase.