Winter Whites

Question
QUESTION: Hey Sheila, I have to Campbells and I love them to pieces, they are brilliant little entertainers and good little pets, however, I would also like to experience and have the pleasure of owning a Winter White as I think they are beautiful hamsters, I just can't seem to find then anywhere. Do you have any ideas about how I might be able to obtain one??

Thanks for your time

ANSWER: Hi Amy

I'm honestly not sure if I can help you with your request.  Whereabouts do you live?  If you are in the UK I might be able to find a breeder or rescue who might be able to help you, but I'm afraid I don't know of any outside this country.  Winter Whites are great little hamsters - I've had both varieties over the years and currently have a Winter White and he is lovely.

You don't often see them in the pet shops, and sometimes they are just packaged as 'dwarf Russians' as the pet shops don't always know how to tell them apart as they are very similar to Campbells.

If you live outside the UK - do you have animal rescues in your country?  If so, it would be worth contacting them to see if they know of anyone who might have some who are looking for homes.  Alternatively, your local vet might be able to advise you if they know of people who keep them - or they may let you place an advertisement in their surgery.

Regards


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Sheila

Thanks for the reply, I live in Benfleet Essex UK. If thatg would be possible  to find a breeder I would really appreciate it.

Thanks so much

Answer
Hi Amy

I'll get back to you on this.  I know there is a huge hamster breeder in Essex - they supply a lot of the shops in Kent, where I live.  Alternatively, I might be able to find a rescue - the problem with some of the large breeders is that the hamsters haven't been handled at all and they aren't at all tame, whereas rescues, foster them out to people like me - I tame hamsters all the time and return them for re-homing.

I'll have a word with a local rescue, hopefully this evening, and will be in touch as soon as I have some information for you.

Regards

Hi Amy

The Essex Breeding Centre is based in Chelmsford.  Their number is 01621 740510.  I don't think they allow people to visit them, but they may be able to confirm which shops in the area they have provided Winter Whites to.  As mentioned earlier, unfortunately with breeding centres, often the hamsters have never been handled and can be quite wild.  Before buying a Winter White I suggest you handle it in the shop to check that they are OK - you don't want to find you can never handle it.

Alternatively, it would be worth contacting the RSPCA - they may have hamsters at one of their rescue centres, or know of local rescues that they pass hamsters to for re-homing.  The GBH Rescue and Rehoming centre that I help foster hamsters for often get 'deliveries' from the RSPCA when they have confiscated large numbers of hamsters, so you might find they have a similar relationship with a rescue local to you.

Another idea is to contact Wendy Barry at hamsters@somershire.freeserve.co.uk - she has a list of hamster breeders in the UK and might be able to help you.

Hope you get on OK.

Regards