Hamster on Boat: Stupid?

[MarkJ]

Hi Folks


I don't know if I am going crazy asking this question but someone on this boat wants a couple of little dwarf Hamsters. They live in a type of bird cage thing.

We are going to be cruising the Mediterranean, Turkey, Europe and Caribbean.

Is it feasible regulation wise, because they are so small? Or is it the most stupid idea ever?


Mark

[Stillraining]

Just pretend its your Honeymoon...She gets to choose...your words remember....................OK .Im running now..

[Sue & Mike]

That type of bird cage thing, usually has a secret escape route, only known to hamsters!!!!!!!!!!! Their favourite snack is 12v cables.

[Maren]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I don't know if I am going crazy asking this question but someone on this boat wants a couple of little dwarf Hamsters. They live in a type of bird cage thing.

I think the guinea pig is a better option. It's the Peruvian delicacy that conveniently comes in a single serving size.

Here are a couple of few links to whet your appetite:
Roasted
Guinea pigs with peanut sauce,

And a cookbook

[MarkJ]

I am speachless........

.

[Don Lucas]

Speachless......that would be a new one, does this mean someone on the boat told you to drop it?

But really now what's the big deal. Peaople take dogs/cats all the time. Guess you would have to do the same things to bring in your new "pets". If there is a problem, well call them lunch instead of pets.

[MarkJ]

Yes, thats the question. Would they have the same hassels as cats and dogs?


I have a good dog marinade...

I just wanted to know the legal hassels of having a lil coupple on board?

[Pelagic]

Not sure what the difference is between pigmy Hamsters and Gerbils, but I guess you could talk to Richard Gere?

New York - La Daily Musto - Richard Gere Finally Addresses Gerbil Rumor--And Changes It!

[fishwife]

I don't know about you Mark, but I go to great lengths preventing rodents getting on board and I have traps set, just in case one manage to get past all the security precautions.

I've an idea that when you hoisted a Q flag, the nice man would probably require a de-ratting certificate. Probably not a good idea to get too attached to them if you do decide they'd make cute pets.

Run it past the British Embassy, they'd give you an answer that is probably common to the whole of the EU.

[svHyLyte]

Mark--

A hamster can and will make an escape from its cage. When it does so it will manage to make it into the deepest, darkest recesses of the yacht where you will not be able to reach it. Unless you are very lucky and manage to capture the little begger when it pop's it's head out to look for food or water, you will simply have the second cousin of a rat loose on your boat and he/she can and will chomp on wiring, hoses, et al. Then you will be confronted with having to set a trap for little Fluffy which will not make you popular at all. (Been there done that!)

Given your location, think about a Budgee if your one-and-only needs a pet.

FWIW...

[Solitude]

Nicolle don't let Mark talk you into getting hamsters!

Hamsters will escape and chew up those nice new cabin cushions you've been telling us about!

Or you will be writing us about how the diesel is pouring out black smoke only to find out the thing is stuck in your air intake. Either way you have to be firm about this one!

Be anti Nike (Just don’t do it!)

Maybe you could just pick up a dock rat and call it an Asian Hamster.(but that wouldn't solve anything.

[Zednotzee]

Ref escaping, what if you just kept them in those hamster exercise balls the whole time? Could be interesting if the swells picked up.

[Hud3]

Mark,

You'll not likely have problems with Customs/Immigration when clearing in, since the little beasts will be confined to quarters on the boat at all times. At least that was our experience in the eastern Caribbean with our boat cat. C/I only cared about animals that might come ashore.

The problem you'll experience is what others have warned you about. They will escape. And the diabolical rodents will do damage to whatever they can set their razor sharp teeth to.



DO NOT DO THIS!

I can not be emphatic enough.

Our daughter's hamster escaped and somehow got into a wall space. It died there and stank up the place until I destroyed the drywall to get to the carcass. Who knows what damage it did before it expired. At least our house didn't burn down due to compromised wiring.

[Boracay]

I realised you've probably thought of this already but why not get a cat?

There are many fine cats in Asia, their physiology is well understood and they seem to adapt well to boats.

Keep one eye open for a nice native six to eight week old Siamese or Burmese type kitten (don't worry about a little tail kink) and the other open for a competent vet. Get it checked (especially wormed) before acquisition.

Wash your hands after touching felines.

If you have nice cushions then I'd strongly recommend getting a sharp nail cutter and learning how to trim cats' claws. A good scratching post is also a good idea.

You do know that hamsters carry the dreaded pitter patter disease don't you?

[jkd]

..... And the little darlings are nocturnal, so while you try to sleep they will be working on muscle tone running on that cute little wheel that squeaks in a particularly annoying tonal range that you will be back to the recipe section of this thread very quickly.

John