To tell my friend I don't want her "birthday gift"?

[harrietbarrier33]

Three weeks ago my friend asked me to look after her 2 hamsters whilst her house was being decorated.
I have never had hamsters and I don't really like them but she was desperate for someone to look after them so I said yes.
When she has asked how they are I have been positive "oh they are fine don't worry we are getting on great" etc etc
Today is my birthday ..she rings me
As my gift to you I'm letting you keep the hamsters ...
So I said "oh no don't be silly,I've enjoyed having them but they belong to you"
She replied .."no no I insist ..."
I don't want them
Aibu to say no ?
I think she just can't be arsed with them anymore tbh

You don't have to justify anything to her.
Your friend is a total pisstaker, a user and doesnt sound a nice person at all. Tell her, don't ASK her to pick them up. Having said that it sounds like she'd be the type to feed them to the cat.
What a horrible woman.

As lovely as they are, they’re not my choice of pet. Thanks for the offer but you need to come collect them on.....

Honestly cheeky moo!
I’d say,
thank you but I really only had the hamsters to do you a favour. I definitely don’t want them permanently.
Don’t worry about getting me a birthday present though, just come and collect your pets 👍
I’d also collect some big house spiders and ask her to look after them for a couple of weeks and then tell her they’re a present for her next birthday lol

I would call an animal shelter so they find a home where they are wanted. Not being funny but if she is dumping them on you, its clear she isn't going to look after them if you take them back to her.

I'd just text: "Haha...nice try ;)
I'll bring them back for you soon" ...then drop them round at a time you know she'll be in.

Just send her a text saying:
"At first I wasn't sure, but, thanks, they were delicious".

You can't just give people living animals. It's not fair to the animals for one thing. Say NO!

Wow CF!!

You are well within your rights to say no but (and this is a big but) if she’s happy to palm them off on a friend I’d be concerned what she’d do with them considering she obviously doesn’t want them. Set them free/give to an unsuitable home etc. Could you say thanks, I don’t want them but I’ve found them a great home then give them to someone who would really love them?

Not ideal for you and the onus shouldn’t be on you but animal lover here and I would be so worried to give them back! She is definitely a CF and I think you need to step back from that friendship!

I've seen it all now...I actually can't believe she tried to pass this off as a birthday gift! When you drop them round tell her she can get you a nice bottle of wine and chocs as a thank you for looking after them

she's got bored of them - realised not having them was better than having them and is palming them off on you in the guise of a gift. Tell her that's not a birthday gift, it's a crap attempt and dumping animals and then take them to a rescue centre and tell them their owner has dumped them you and you are unable to care for them. Dont even give them back to her as she clearly doesnt want to care for them and they deserve better.

@harrietbarrier33 what's happened?

Happy birthday BTW 🎂💐

Omg!!!!, that's like the world's worst present. No, you're not being unfair!!!!!, she obviously doesn't want them and can't be arsed to buy you a present!!!!!, cheeky as!!, I'd be fuming!!

So she's ditching her pets and not buying you a birthday present? Fuckin 'ell...

"Haha, for your birthday present I'll let you do my ironing, very funny, I'll drop them off tomorrow."

Brilliant....I've been researching South American recipes to make them tastiest the whole time they've been here. Now I can just get on with it - I'll drop one off for you to try tomorrow evening, they were originally yours after all!

Would you prefer bbq or sweet & sour for the dip?

I want to say out of concern for the hamsters take them to your local vet and ask for re homing and cut her out completely but then she might say you gave them away without her consent. Return them or tell her if she doesn’t pick them up you are reporting her to the RSPCA!

@CoraPirbright

Cheeky cow doesnt really cover it - horrible, selfish bitch would be more like it!! I think honesty is what’s required here, with no “thank you” or “sorry, but..”:

To be totally honest with you, I only looked after the hamsters as a favour to you. I don't really like them - if I wanted hamsters, I would have hamsters. Now I feel like you are trying to palm them off on me. Please come and pick them up this evening as I do not want them and will not be taking care of them any longer.

Then I would be taking a long hard look at this particular “friendship”.

Completely agree. Don't thank her and don't explain why beyond you don't want them as any "we are too busy" will be met with more pushing.

I had a friend attempt this with some rats. HAD is the operative word. They took the piss in other ways too.

Seems fair !

She sounds awful. Palming her pets off, and giving you a 'present' that benefits her.

Tell her you'll drop them off tomorrow and re-evaluate your friendship.

I had a mate that sounds a bit like her - dropped the friendship as he was always on the make and didn't need it in my life.

Now I’ve actually heard it all!!!!!!😂🙈😳😱

Post them through her letter box....

I've been researching South American recipes ...

I thought it was guinea pigs which were popular there?

After all there's not much meat on a hamster

Say no thanks and drop them back to her she has prob realised how much hassle they are ..its very cheeky go be honest

Please update OP, have then gone home?

If you are in or near Worcestershire I would gladly re-home them for you. I was a vet nurse until I had an accident which has left me disabled. I’m happy to take in any waifs and strays. I can collect them if it makes it easier for you.

Happy birthday.