Abandoned on a pavement in Southall in a small tupperware box with a tiny hole for air and torn newspaper for bedding. That was the fate of one hamster picked up by the RSPCA recently.

Cathy Pollendine is the RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer for Ealing and Hounslow and an expert in rescuing abandoned animals. Not least of which are, unfortunately, hamsters. Cathy says there’s a fairly even split with regards to where hamsters in her care come from. Half are unwanted and collected from owners and half are abandoned on the street.

Let’s be clear about this. Abandoning an animal is against the law and cruel. If you are in the serious position of having an animal you can no longer care for, contact a reputable animal rescue organisation for help. Have a look at the RSPCA’s advice on unwanted pets at www.rspca.org.uk. Click on “Advice and Welfare”, then “Pets” followed by “Unwanted Pets”. Alternatively, go to the “catchat” website, www.catchat.org.

Rehoming organisations for cats are on the main “catchat” site. Rehoming organisations for other animals can be found by clicking the “Links” button and then “Animal Sanctuaries listed by Animal A-Z”.

Ealing RSPCA currently has four beautiful hamsters waiting for a new home. Didi and Billie are Russian Dwarf hamsters. Didi is extremely tame and loves being groomed. Billie is shy and gentle. Once she knows you, she is happy to be picked up and enjoys exercising fast in her wheel. Harriet and Snowflake are Syrian hamsters. Harriet is curious.

As soon as she hears her name, she emerges from her nest to say hello. She’s always on the lookout for treats. Snowflake is very clever at playing in his hamster puzzle and is determined to find the “prize”. Don’t be fooled, hamsters are intelligent and learn quickly.

If you’re ready for a clever, little hamster in your home, call Cathy on 07808 789385.