19/09/2025
🐹 Deep Dive Friday 🐹
Meet Bertie!
Bertie is a charming Syrian hamster with a cheeky streak and a lovely nature. Around 6 months old, he’s blossomed beautifully in foster care—and we think he’s more than ready to find his forever home. His foster mum is smitten, and we know someone out there will be too.
---
📖 Bertie's Story
Arrival Date: Late August
Previous Owner: Surrendered by someone who had taken in Bertie but could no longer give them the time they needed.
Condition on Arrival: Bertie arrived shy and uncertain, with a reputation for biting. He’d previously been housed with another hamster, which may have contributed to stress and behavioural challenges. We don’t have much info about his life before that, but we do know he’s made incredible progress since coming into rescue. With time, patience, and a safe space to thrive, Bertie has transformed into a curious, sweet-natured little guy who’s eager to engage.
---
👑 Personality & Behaviour
Temperament: Curious, cheeky, and surprisingly gentle.
Activity Level: Moderate—he’s active and inquisitive, especially during enclosure cleaning (he insists on helping!).
Social Preferences: Bertie enjoys interaction and has become quite the shoulder parrot—he’ll perch happily and explore from his human vantage point.
Trust Building: He’s come a long way from his early days. With consistent, gentle handling, Bertie now handles beautifully and hasn’t shown any signs of biting in foster care.
Handling Style: Scoop or hand transfers work well. He’s confident, calm, and enjoys shoulder time once he’s comfortable.
---
🏠 Housing Requirements
Cage Type: A spacious, secure setup with plenty of enrichment—barred or barless is fine, as long as it’s safe and stimulating.
Enrichment Needs:
- Deep bedding for burrowing and nesting
- A solid wheel for exercise
- Sand bath for grooming and play
- Hides, tunnels, and climbing opportunities to satisfy his curiosity
- A shoulder to perch on (optional, but highly recommended!)
---
🍽️ Food & Treats
Food Motivation: Strong—he’s food-focused and enjoys foraging.
Favourite Treats: like many hammies, Bertie likes his whimsies and seeds, but his foster mum says his favourite treat is just a bit of lettuce. He gets so excited over his lettuce that he happily snatches it out of her hand just to get a taste.
Preferred Reward: Interaction and exploration—he thrives when given space to roam and a human to engage with.
---
💡 Ideal Adopter
Bertie would thrive with someone who:
- Can offer gentle, consistent handling and a bit of patience during the adjustment period
- Enjoys interactive pets and doesn’t mind a hamster who thinks he’s a parrot
- Has a safe, enriched setup ready for a curious explorer
- Appreciates a hamster with a story and a sweet soul
---
📢 Why Adopt Bertie?
Bertie is a testament to what rescue can do. From shy and misunderstood to confident and cuddly, he’s shown us that trust can be built and personalities can shine. If you’re looking for a hamster who’ll perch on your shoulder, help with chores, and melt your heart with his gentle charm—Bertie might just be your perfect match.
---
