Fostering Question

[mtmaughan]

I'm thinking about trying to foster (or maybe adopt) a small animal such as a hamster/gerbil. The cage would have to be kept in my room where my rat cages are. I would definitely not foster any rats because of the possibility of sickness. Are there illnesses that are communicable across different species of small animal? If so, which species are a risk to my rats and which are not?

[Vanilla_Rat]

None are transmitted from rats to a hamster or anything that I know of.They (the diseases) are usually species specific.Someone correct me if I am wrong.But I know mites and usually lice are species specific.

When my rats had RI's,the hamster and mice never caught it.And all my rodents,except the guinea pig are in the same room.But I have never had anything catch something from my rats and vice versa.

[mtmaughan]

Thanks, Lisa. I figured their illnesses were probably species specific, but I just wanted to ask and make sure! It would be great to have a hammy around again, I miss my old boy.

[Vanilla_Rat]

Awww...so are you going to foster a hammy???

I would definatly foster small animals if there was a rescue around.Unfortunatly there isn't and the local SPCA and Humane Society rarely get small animals! Thats why I foster dogs.

Keep us updated!!

[mtmaughan]

There is an SPCA here in town and I think I will try to contact them this week and apply to be a foster. But if I get a really sweet hammy I think I will probably end up keeping it. I won't be able to foster bunnies or ferrets, though, they aren't allowed in my apartment.

[laydeerodentzz]

that should be great, my mum said I would be a good foster parent for animals and than she said that it probably wasn't a good idea because I'd end up adopting them after! lol