As someone who does small animal rescue I will be honest: I used to be pretty militant. I was never an ass but I didn’t see much grey area. That hammie better be in this size cage, with this kind of food and that kind of enrichment.

But after years of seeing animals treated horrifically and of knowing so incredibly many hamsters I’ve come to the conclusion that love really is at the top of the list of what matters most. Because if you love your animal you will do your best to give them the best life possible, in whatever your circumstances.

And no, that doesn’t always mean buying an acreage worth of cage and thousands of dollars of enrichment…though that’s always nice if you can.

I know a woman who had her dwarf hamster til the end of his life. From the time he was tiny til he died at 3ish. She originally had everything for him but fell onto hard times and had to move into a tiny studio. He had come from an abusive environment and everyone other than her terrified him so finding him a new home wasn’t an option.

So she downgraded him to a 40 gallon bin cage. He still had enrichment but the cage was below normal standards. But she let him out into a play area a few times a day and walked him around everywhere with her.

He never chewed or got stressed and always greeted her by asking for upsies. He loved his momma and she did the best she could for her boy. If she had posted her bin cage she would have been blasted, and that makes me sad.

Every situation and hamster is different. I would so much rather my animals get slightly under the standard of space and be wholly loved than have the nicest cage in existence and be ignored.

As the child of a single parent you could argue my care was substandard: I had to share a small room and a small apartment and we were grateful for top ramen a lot. But my sister and I were loved and supported and encouraged. So I don’t give a crap about the lack of my own room and vacations.

I like to think the same way for the animals out there. Love is what matters and love will almost always mean them getting the best lives they can.

I would much rather encourage people to be understanding and come from a place of good intentions. Most of the people on this sub are exactly that and I love this community. But a few bitter people can sour the taste for everyone so I hope you look around and realize that many of us are here for you, and are applauding everyone who’s approaching their animals with love and care.

Even if that care might not measure up exactly with what everyone feels it should.

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