Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters
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  • About Cheeks
    • Breeding Ethics
    • Meet The Girls
    • Why choose Cheeks?
  • Our Hamsters
    • Adoption Info
    • Breeding Hamsters
    • Litters
  • Suitable Cages & more
    • Hamster Cage 101
    • Niteangel
    • Prevue 528: Walkthrough
    • Bin Cages
    • Ikea Detolf
    • Bar Cages
    • Tank Cages
  • Accessories
    • New Hamster Shopping List
    • Our Fave Products
    • Wheel Info
    • Sand
    • Playpen
  • Hamster Food
    • Food
  • Vet Care and Resources
    • Veterinary Care
    • More Resources
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ's
  • More
    • Home
    • About Cheeks
      • Breeding Ethics
      • Meet The Girls
      • Why choose Cheeks?
    • Our Hamsters
      • Adoption Info
      • Breeding Hamsters
      • Litters
    • Suitable Cages & more
      • Hamster Cage 101
      • Niteangel
      • Prevue 528: Walkthrough
      • Bin Cages
      • Ikea Detolf
      • Bar Cages
      • Tank Cages
    • Accessories
      • New Hamster Shopping List
      • Our Fave Products
      • Wheel Info
      • Sand
      • Playpen
    • Hamster Food
      • Food
    • Vet Care and Resources
      • Veterinary Care
      • More Resources
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ's
Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters
  • Home
  • About Cheeks
  • Our Hamsters
  • Suitable Cages & more
  • Accessories
  • Hamster Food
  • Vet Care and Resources
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ's

ADOPTION FAQS

What is the cost?

Our base adoption fee is $75. This includes the hamster (of course!), 1 gallon (6 month supply) of high quality food, a bag of treats, their personal pedigree, a container of sand to get you started, and a snuggle sack (we sew them ourselves!)


Why should I choose a Cheeks Hamster?

This is a totally fair question, and we welcome being questioned. We think our hamsters are worth the price and the wait, and our adopters support this as well. Please visit our "Why choose Cheeks?" page to see more info and testimonials.

Why Choose Cheeks?

How long does it take?

We do maintain a wait list, and often times the waiting period varies. Please know that because we treat our animals kindly by waiting until they're ready to have babies, our average wait time was 4-5 months for a pup. But as of 2022, the wait is about 11-12 months. We do our very best to make sure everyone is happy and keep this time as short as possible. Thanks for understanding and supporting us!


If you are interested in a rescue hamster, your wait may be considerably shorter. Just note this when you apply! Instagram Hamster Rescue and Tiny Tracks Rescue always have available animals. 

I'm Ready to Adopt!

Great! Check out our adoption process down below!

See Adoption Process below

Adoption Process

Step 1: Read Our Requirements

Step 1: Read Our Requirements

Step 1: Read Our Requirements

  • Cages must meet or exceed 600 square inches with a bar spacing of no more than 1/2 inch. No wire ​bottoms.  No Crittertrails or Habitrail Ovo. See our Cage Page or ask us for ideas! 
    • Please note that 20 gallon longs are no longer considered suitable housing. They only provide 360 square inches!
  • Wheels must be 10" or larger and must offer a 

  • Cages must meet or exceed 600 square inches with a bar spacing of no more than 1/2 inch. No wire ​bottoms.  No Crittertrails or Habitrail Ovo. See our Cage Page or ask us for ideas! 
    • Please note that 20 gallon longs are no longer considered suitable housing. They only provide 360 square inches!
  • Wheels must be 10" or larger and must offer a solid running surface. No wire or mesh wheels. See our Wheels page for ideas!
  • We highly recommend feeding Harlan Teklad--it's what we believe to be the best. See our Feeding and Nutrition page for more details.
  • Soft, paper-based bedding is recommended. Hamsters must NOT be kept on cedar or pine bedding! These products can severely damage their respiratory systems and lead to irreversible damage and/or death. 
  • Syrian hamsters must be kept solitary—no exceptions!
  • We STRONGLY discourage breeding our hamsters. However, if you are planning on breeding your hamster, please let us know up front. We would rather point you toward our best stock than have you breed a hamster that would have been better as a pet.

Step 2: The Application

Step 1: Read Our Requirements

Step 1: Read Our Requirements

You got that? Great! Time to apply!


We want you to know that this application is not a "test." Instead, it helps us see what type of hamster might be best for your family, in addition to what you are looking for. No need to be nervous, okay? Just like our hamsters--we don't bite!

Take me to the application!

Step 3: Confirmation

Step 1: Read Our Requirements

Step 4: The Waiting Game

We look at each application individually ,and this can be quite time consuming. You should expect to receive and email from us within 30 days of your application. 


When we email you, we will probably approve your application, explain our wait times, and offer to "officially" add you to the waitlist. If you accept, we will add you to our li

We look at each application individually ,and this can be quite time consuming. You should expect to receive and email from us within 30 days of your application. 


When we email you, we will probably approve your application, explain our wait times, and offer to "officially" add you to the waitlist. If you accept, we will add you to our list based on the time we received your application.

If there is a discrepancy on your application, we will address it at this point so that you can be aware and fix it early on. The main issues we will chat you up about are having a small cage or using unsuitable food. If you indicate that you are open to making the necessary changes, we will add you to the waitlist based on your date of application as well.

Step 4: The Waiting Game

Step 4: The Waiting Game

Step 4: The Waiting Game

Current wait time is about a year. It's insanity and we know this is a long time, especially for folks with young children! We do our best to keep you updated, but the best place to keep up with our Cheeks and Squeaks is on our social media. We ask that you follow us on Facebook or Instagram (if you're able) so that you can see they hamst

Current wait time is about a year. It's insanity and we know this is a long time, especially for folks with young children! We do our best to keep you updated, but the best place to keep up with our Cheeks and Squeaks is on our social media. We ask that you follow us on Facebook or Instagram (if you're able) so that you can see they hamster's progress and get to know us as well!

Also keep in mind that the 12 month projection includes the more fun and "active" period of watching our hamsters grow, choosing your new hamster, seeing all the cute baby pictures, and getting updates from us. We find that because of this more interactive time, the wait doesn't feel as long as it sounds!

However, we understand that life happens and you may change your mind during this time. If that happens, just shoot us an email and ask to be removed from the list. No hard feelings!

Step 5: Our Check In

Step 4: The Waiting Game

Step 6: Choose Your Baby

Once the babies are born, we need to know who will be adopting from us. This is because we start to work with the babies and determine, based on your application and our personal correspondence, which hamster will be best for you!

So, at this point, we send out an email asking you to confirm that you still want to adopt. All you have to do is reply and we will keep you on the list!

Step 6: Choose Your Baby

Step 4: The Waiting Game

Step 6: Choose Your Baby

We work on a first come, first served basis to determine waitlist position--but we realize that that isn't totally fair when it comes to choosing a pet! While we work with the babies, we take notes on their temperament and determine personalities. Using these notes, we try to determine which hamster will be best for each home so that we c

We work on a first come, first served basis to determine waitlist position--but we realize that that isn't totally fair when it comes to choosing a pet! While we work with the babies, we take notes on their temperament and determine personalities. Using these notes, we try to determine which hamster will be best for each home so that we can guide you in the right direction when your turn comes. 

At 4 weeks of age, the hamsters get their adoption photo shoot--this means we get really cute, clean shots of each pup! All of these photos get sent out to the first person on the waitlist. You will make your choice and either reserve that hamster.  At this point, we ask for a $25 deposit, and the hamster is considered reserved. Then we send the rest of the photos to the second person in line and start the same process over again. This continues until all the hamsters have been reserved.


Step 7: Payment, Contracts, Cage Check

Step 7: Payment, Contracts, Cage Check

Step 7: Payment, Contracts, Cage Check

At the time of reserving your pup, we ask for a $25 deposit. If you choose, you can pay in full at this time.  We accept Paypal & Venmo!


We ask for photos of your cage in the week prior to pickup as well. This is to ensure it meets our requirements and make certain we have time to make any necessary corrections! 


The week before pickup, we 

At the time of reserving your pup, we ask for a $25 deposit. If you choose, you can pay in full at this time.  We accept Paypal & Venmo!


We ask for photos of your cage in the week prior to pickup as well. This is to ensure it meets our requirements and make certain we have time to make any necessary corrections! 


The week before pickup, we send over your contract to sign to be signed prior to pickup.

Step 8: Adoption Day!

Step 7: Payment, Contracts, Cage Check

Step 7: Payment, Contracts, Cage Check

Then, we get to the best part--pick up! Erin does live in Foothill Ranch,  Orange County so,  that is the primary pick up location. Often there will be a Griffith Park meet up as well depending on the circumstances. We do not deliver or transport hamsters. 


We will schedule adoption appointments in 20-30 minute blocks. We will be in contac

Then, we get to the best part--pick up! Erin does live in Foothill Ranch,  Orange County so,  that is the primary pick up location. Often there will be a Griffith Park meet up as well depending on the circumstances. We do not deliver or transport hamsters. 


We will schedule adoption appointments in 20-30 minute blocks. We will be in contact throughout the preceding week to make sure your appointment time works for you!

Happily Ever After

Step 7: Payment, Contracts, Cage Check

Happily Ever After

We think of adoption day as the START of our relationship! We are always here to answer questions and provide support should anything arise.  You are now part of the Hamily!

Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters

Copyright © 2022 Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters - All Rights Reserved.

Thanks for Considering Cheeks!

Please note that our minimum wait time is at least 10-12 months.


Submit your application to join our waitlist! 

That will start the process for you. 


Xoxo, Cheeks