Acai

Meet Açaí, one of HSS’ long-term hamsters

Açaí’s story with HSS started when a kind member of public alerted HSS that a hamster had fallen into a condominium pool! They fished poor, drenched Açaí out of the pool, and waited for our volunteers to arrive. When our volunteer arrived, it became evident that Açaí had likely suffered a fall injury, possibly caused by her cage's proximity to a window or balcony!* She could hardly move below her waist and had a weird gait. But that was not the only problem: Açaí also had a blood red eye.

Açaí’s first vet visit

Açaí was brought to the vet, and an x-ray performed found that she had sustained a fracture in her right fibula, likely due to the suspected fall. Not only that, both her hind ankles show signs of fracture as well. Fortunately, they seemed relatively healed. However, the fractures caused stiffening in her hind legs and it seemed as though she had also sustained some nerve damage in her hind legs. As a result, Açaí has trouble controlling them and walking properly.

The red eye

Açaí’s left eye was red due to blood in her eye! Back then, the blood in her eye was causing increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Had it worsened, her eye would have had to be removed to prevent further complications. 

Açaí’s red eye

Additionally, her right eye had a cataract, potentially stemming from an earlier suspected injury. 

Life now with HSS

Fortunately, Açaí’s eye got better and she got to keep it. 

Açaí now lives a pampered life with her fosterer and enjoys many treats

However, that did not mean that the rest of her problems went away. Her past trauma means that Açaí now has chronic spine, leg, and eye conditions. Her spine and leg issues leave her incapable of cleaning herself. Açaí also relies on chronic pain medication and supplements, requiring frequent cleaning to combat recurrent eye and ear infections. Now blind in both eyes, Açaí needs assistance to locate her food and water sometimes.

Despite everything… 

Açaí still maintains a positive attitude through it all! “She’s a super sweet ham and still loves human touch,” says her fosterer, “she can’t move anything from waist down or bend her legs… so when she wants to sleep, she literally just plops to her side or on her back.”

Açaí in her favourite sleeping position

Help support hamsters like Açaí! Every cent donated to Hamster Society Singapore goes to the care and medical fees of hamsters under HSS. 

*Note: HSS strongly advises against placing hamster cages near balconies or windows due to the elevated risk of heatstroke, in addition to the potential for falls.

Pamkin

Meet Pamkin, the neglected classroom pet who's proven that life can have some pretty unexpected turns

Pamkin's journey began at Little Skool House, a preschool in Downtown East Singapore. Unfortunately, she didn't receive proper care and often got into fights with another hamster she shared a cage with. The school's neglect of Pamkin caught the attention of animal lovers and local authorities, leading to an investigation.

Pamkin’s rescue

During the school holidays, a child from the preschool took Pamkin home, and it was then that the extent of her injuries became clear to the child's family. They rushed Pamkin to a vet, where her dire condition was revealed – a fungal infection covering her body, a swollen eye, a broken tail, and painful scabs. 

Pamkin’s dismal condition when first rescued

Upon seeing Pamkin, Hamster Society Singapore (HSS) initiated a campaign to ban classroom pets in Singapore.

An unexpected surprise

Pamkin's story takes an unexpected turn. Initially believed to be a female due to severe malnourishment, she surprised everyone by revealing her true gender – she's a boy. It turns out that her testicles couldn't develop properly because of her extreme thinness, leading to the initial misidentification.

Happily ever after

Today, Pamkin is on the road to recovery, receiving the care he needs, thanks to HSS, and has been adopted by one of our fosterers. He is now cherished and has doubled his weight since his rescue. Pamkin's journey reminds us that even the tiniest creatures can bounce back with a little help and kindness.

Pamkin in his forever home, with a forever wink

Support hamsters like Pamkin by donating to Hamster Society Singapore. Your contributions help hamsters like him with their care and medical bills. Pamkin's story is a testament to the power of compassion, leading to unexpected and heartwarming transformations, taking him from a difficult situation to recovery.

Dani Filth

Meet Dani Filth, one of HSS’ long-term hamsters

Dani was named after Dani Filth, the lead singer of the black metal band, Cradle Of Filth. Why? When Dani was rescued, he had been through unimaginable trauma. For an entire month, he lived in fear. The mere sight of his fosterer approaching his cage would send him into a frantic scream. Interestingly, it was his screams that gave him his name.

Abandoned at a bus stop

Dani was discovered abandoned at a bus stop in terrible condition. His fur had all but disappeared due to severe skin issues, plagued by yeast and mite infections.

Dani’s improvement through the weeks after his rescue

From left: Week 1, Week 3, Week 4, Week 8

Long-term exposure to an unsanitary environment had weakened his immune system, leaving him covered in painful warts and skin abscesses. Dani did not even respond to the strongest antibiotics.

Dani’s health

Fortunately, the warts and abscesses turned out to be benign, staying the same in size and number. However, Dani was also born with an eye defect that caused his eye to produce pus excessively, requiring daily cleaning and antibacterial eye drops for the rest of his life.

Dani’s eye defect

Life now with HSS

Today, Dani is a gentle, patient soul who, according to his fosterer, “never, ever, ever bites.” His demeanor is a complete 180⁰ from when he was first rescued. He enjoys the occasional cuddle too, and is an absolute darling despite the hardships he has gone through. 

Cuddly Dani in his fosterer’s hands

Help support hamsters like Dani! Every cent donated to Hamster Society Singapore goes to the care and medical fees of hamsters under HSS.