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 need an excuse. If you wanted hamsters you’d go and get some.

Just to add to PP who’ve suggested you don’t give them back to her as she clearly doesn’t care about them and wants to get rid of them. Yes, of course the OP is not responsible for her ‘friend’s’ fecklessness nor for the hamsters, but they are living sentient creatures that deserve a comfortable life where they’re loved and cared for, not being at best tolerated and at worst neglected by OP’s friend. Please do contact an animal rescue group and ask them to rehome the poor hamsters, OP.

Ah - hamstergate

When I was younger and even more stupid I got caught out like this with a friend's kittens. "Will you look after them for a bit?" she said - only she meant she wanted me to rehome them

Worst of all she still didn't get the cat spayed and later turned up with another lot, walking off to leave them. Kittens returned and end of friendship

Haha I am a sucker I have taken in 8 hamsters and 4 rabbits and 6 fish as wanted pets over the years mainly all at end of life and some still alive some arrived in a bad state due to lack of correct care

This needs to go in Classics 🤣

Poor unwanted hamsters

I do hope one of those concerned individuals are PMing Op to check what area she lives in and if nearby, going and fetching the hamsters from her. How could they live with themselves if they fail to act, knowing she might give them back? They should all step up immediately and offer to take them personally.

Gosh, poor hamsters. If it was a dog everyone would be outraged & not finding it funny. To be honest, if I was in that situation I would be telling her they're not belongings to be passed on on a whim & would be keeping them & then finding them a more suitable home/rescue. Yes it's extreme CF & not "your responsibility" to find them a new home but I would do it for the hamsters sake, & then drop your friend

If you're in North/West Yorks OP, I'll take them! After lockdown obvs! Unless you're very local

OMG haha! Some people r so cheeky!! Yanbu just tell her you don’t want them

This is totally batshit.

‘No, I don’t want the hamsters. They’re yours, take them back.’ End of discussion.

@CallmeIT

"Christ, no thanks, dropping them back now"
Some people!

Tell her you will call the RSPCA to let them know she is abandoning her pets.

You don't have to give any reasons. Are you generally a people pleaser? Bring them back to her or tell her to pick them up. Be clear. If you had wanted hamsters you would have bought some yourself. You didn't.

I have no words for this! How cheeky

Seriously the cheek of some people. Drop them back off to her pronto.

I had this with a pony!!!!!we had her on loan unfortunately she wasn’t what we were looking for but when I contacted her owner to collect her she said’oh that’s ok, you can just keep her for a while longer, she’s enjoying being with you!’ In the end they collected her but in hindsight I wish I’d have kept her as they obviously weren’t bothered about her or who they’d loaned her to. There are lots of CFS out there eh.

Definitely contact your local hamster or small furry rescue centre. That woman does not deserve to have the hamsters. Poor little babies

I've never understood the appeal of hamsters.

They're nocturnal!

I do have to admire the nerve of some people.

Oh no! Please don't babysit for her OP. That could be, err, interesting. :)

If you are in the midlands and she really doesn’t want them back, I’ll take them!

I think this is the first CF of 2021 🏆
This was planned, who needs the hamsters looked after for decorating??
I’d reply, they’ll be off to rescue tomorrow.

She doesn't want them anymore and she is palming them off on you, Well if I was you I wouldn't even tell her you are dropping them off I would just turn up and say here you are Home at last . If you have them everything she can not get rid of will end up with you.