What do you do with your hamster/small pet for holidays??

[GlomOfNit]

We're going away for 5 nights at half term and don't have a solution for my son's hamster. Can't take the poor little thing with us, it's a 4 hour drive and I'm pretty sure that if we could get his metre-long cage in the car, we'd have to be wearing the same clothes all week. Was hoping to ask friends who live close and also have hamsters, but they're away too (and I think were hoping to ask US).

House is an utter tip, son's bedroom (where hamster lives) more so, so getting a pet-sitter to come in daily is not top favourite.

Do pet shops or vets ever board small pets? What is likely to be cheaper, boarding or finding someone to come in? The cat is going to the local cattery (who are lovely) but I don't think they board hamsters too! (though I'm sure the cats would love that)

Worth asking around OP, my local pet shop has small animal boarders sometimes; they each have a little sign with their name and the fact they're on their holidays

It is worth asking the cattery, just to be sure. I used to work in a cattery and we would take rabbits + guinea pigs. We didn’t advertise the fact, but would take them if the owners had a cat staying with us. They had to come with their own cage and stayed in a separate part of the building, not in the cat kennels.

My dwarf hamster enjoys the South of France in particular

When we had a hamster we asked one of dd's schoolfriends to pop in a couple of times to feed/ water/ clean its cage. She came with her mum to supervise and we chucked her a tenner. Is that feasible?

There is a place near us that offers boarding for small furries, including hamsters. There may be one near you too.

You could take them in a smaller cage, I'm sure that would be fine for a week.

But defo ask the pet shop, vet and cattery!

Or would any of your son's friends like a hamster for a week? Post on FB see if any of your friends would?

Again a smaller cage would probably be a good idea if you're going to send the Hamster out rather than get someone to come in.

Where are you? If in Bucks/Berks/oxon i’d Be happy to help, we love hammies and I often look after DS’s when they’re on holiday

Pet shop used to take ours

Now Boarding pet hotel takes small animals