The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) attended to a hoarding case at MacPherson on Mar. 12, and found a total of 51 Syrian hamsters in the flat.

Rescued

Speaking to Mothership, SPCA's Executive Director, Aarthi Sankar, shared that they were first alerted to the case by the Brahm Centre, a local mental health charity.

Many of the hamsters were found housed together in small cages and in poor welfare conditions, and many had acquired injuries.

Hamsters are solitary animals and prolific breeders, Sankar said. When housed in groups, they may breed excessively or get into fights with other hamsters.

Videos SPCA took of the situation showed multiple hamsters in one cage, with some missing patches of fur, and their bedding covered in poop and surrounded by flies.

SPCA ended up rescuing 48 hamsters from the house.

24 of the hamsters which were unwell and required immediate medical attention, or had previous injuries, were taken in by the SPCA.

The remaining 24 were taken in by hamster rescue groups Little Hammy Rescue Singapore and Hamster Society Singapore.

Here they are being assessed by the SPCA's vet.

SPCA left three hamsters behind for the owner to care for in three separate cages, so as to allow him a few pets for companions.

All three hamsters are males, which will prevent accidental breeding and overpopulation.

However, SPCA emphasised that while people may keep pets for companionship when they feel socially isolated, it is equally important to ensure the welfare of these pets.

SPCA's volunteers guided the resident on proper care for hamsters and taught him how to keep their enclosures clean.

SPCA will also conduct follow-up unannounced visits to ensure the resident does not acquire any more hamsters.

Looking for fosterers

Meanwhile, the 48 hamsters that were rescued will be treated, fostered, and put up for adoption.

SPCA is currently looking for hamster fosterers, as taking in 24 of these creatures means that the organisation is currently "beyond [its] capacity" to take in any other emergency cases.

Fosterers have to be aged 21 and above, and preferably have experience handling hamsters.

Those who would like to help but do not have a suitable enclosure to house the hamsters in can also reach out to SPCA.

Hamsters require an enclosure that is around 80cm by 50cm.

SPCA added:

"Fosterers should be able to provide a temporary home for our rescued hamsters, including medical care, visits to the vet, and day-to-day care like feeding and changing of bedding.

In other words, fosterers should care for the rescued hamsters like they are their own, until they find their forever homes. The SPCA will be able to provide follow-up veterinary care if fosterers are unable to bring them to their own clinics."

Those who have enclosures in good condition that they do not need can also donate them to SPCA.

Interested parties can fill out SPCA's form here.

Top photo courtesy of SPCA