RSPCA worker in shock after NINE hamsters in a sealed box abandoned in a park

The RSPCA is investigating after a member of the public discovered the box, which was riddled with nibbled holes and bite marks, in a park in Rotherham last Friday, February 19.

All five of the females were pregnant and the males were found covered in wounds, having been fighting.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Liz Braidley, who collected the poor creatures, said: “They’d been abandoned together inside the box with nothing but food scattered all over the bottom. The hamsters had been chewing at the cardboard to try to escape but, thankfully, were found just in time.

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“The member of the public found them in a local park, took them home and moved them to another cage to take care of them before calling different charities to see who could help.

“Five have been taken in by a centre we work closely with while four have remained in our care at RSPCA Manchester & Salford branch.

“They’re really lucky to have been found and rescued when they were because they would have been very vulnerable to other animals and could have easily been killed or died due to the cold temperatures at night.”

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“Syrian hamsters are naturally solitary animals and shouldn’t be kept with others or in groups.

“Unfortunately that means that these hamsters had been fighting. The four males were covered in fighting wounds while the five females are all pregnant so we’re preparing for the arrival of many more hamsters soon!”

The RSPCA said the hamsters would remain in its care and that of the specialist centre until they are ready to be rehomed.

It was not able to say in which park the hamsters had been found.

Anyone with information about the hamsters should call the RSPCA’s inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

Find out more about keeping hamsters as pets, and how to look after them, visit www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care, visit the charity’s website or call its donation line on 0300 123 8181.