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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 23, 2008 - 21 Take time to think about hamsters as pets L ong-time favourite in classrooms and homes with children, the hamster has become a very popular pet. "Hamsters are often chosen as a first pet. A pet can help teach children responsibility and respect for animals without requiring a great deal of care or cost," said Heather White, Community Outreach and Education Manager at the Oakville & District Humane Society. "With a number of varieties to choose from there are lots of great options," said White. Golden, Syrian and Teddy-bear hamsters grow to approximately 15-20cm in length, while dwarf hamsters grow to 5-10cm in length, depending on the breed. Other breeds that are commonly seen include the Siberian and the Chinese (striped) hamster. While differing in size and colouring, each member of the hamster family is known for its undemanding nature. "Hamsters can make a good pet," noted White, "but families need to be aware that they are nocturnal and need time to wake up before handling during the day. This may not be the best choice for a first pet or one for younger children. Careful consideration needs to be taken to determine if this is the right pet for your family." Adult hamsters live solitary left behind. Regular cleaning of the cage is important to the health and maintenance of a hamster. If you are looking for a pet for your children, contact the Oakville & District Humane Society at 905-8451551 for further information, or visit the shelter at 445 Cornwall Rd. lives. If housed with other hamsters they can become ferocious and territorial, resulting in injuries. Being respectful of this need to be alone will help keep your hamster safe from harm throughout its lifespan of 18-24 months. Allowing hamsters to live on their own is as important as handling them with caution. "Parents should be mindful that hamsters are rodents, and with that comes concerns for biting if not handled properly. If woken suddenly or handled roughly a hamster will use its most effective tool to defend itself ­ its teeth." Incisor teeth continue to grow throughout their adult life, make gnawing an important part of a hamster's maintenance. Normal wear and tear from opening seeds and nuts or chewing their pelleted feed usually keeps their teeth trim, however mineral blocks, wood or other chew toys for hamsters may be given occasionally. Domestic hamsters also retain their instinct to carry PETS OF THE WEEK: MARZIPAN AND TRUFFLE: Marzipan and Truffle are among the hamsters and small animals available for adoption at the Oakville Humane Society. large amounts of food or bedding material in their cheeks. While funny to look at, this temporary storage system may cause confusion to pet owners when food dishes are emptied only to have the contents carried to another area of the cage where they can be `stored' for future use. Storage may occupy one area of the hamster's cage, and it is likely that another will be used for relief. Hamster urine is white and it is normal to find a stain in the cage that may be difficult to remove. Soap and water will remove the odour, but not necessarily the mark What's keeping you from having your dream kitchen? Consider these time, mess & cost saving options... a. Renew your cabinets with our unique "Tune-up". Our exclusive process restores and repairs the finish on wood cabinets (and any other woodwork in your home) to 90-95%. Time: 1 day Mess: almost none Cost: a fraction of replacement. b. Reface You may already own half of your new kitchen! Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 6:30 pm Holiday Inn - QEW and Bronte Rd. 2525 Wyecroft Rd. 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