The Litter Box

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12:57 AM

-1

Q: Where should I release a pet hamster to maximize its chance of survival?

I bought a djungarian hamster as a gift for a relative's daughter, but now she says she doesn't want to keep it, because it's very aggressive and always bites. She's had a few hamsters before and says this one is a true nightmare. She's been having it since a month ago and the hamster is now two-...

I can't really 'answer' this but...

the general attitude has me all sorts of upset

"Lets buy a hamster as a gift" (which is bad) then when it doesn't work out, dump it somewhere...

12 hours later…

Sarov

1:12 PM

Morning.

Sarov

2:05 PM

Here's an ethics question for ya. Assuming the OP just straight-up refuses to take in the thing, what's better? To:
A) let the pet go free
B) Leave it in a 'please take me' cage, so it'll either get a new home or horribly starve to death
C) Euthanize it
?

Journeyman Geek

@Sarov I consider taking on a pet a grave responsibility

So none of those options are palatable to me

Sarov

Okay but there's about a 1% chance the OP will agree with you.

Journeyman Geek

2:19 PM

I do not agree with any of OP's actions

I don't see any way to convince him either

This is a terrible outcome for a hamster, and why animals are not things to be 'gifted'

and if you do, and it fails, it ought to be your responsibility to ensure the critter gets a good home

Sarov

Sure, but personally I also don't think it's right to go "You should do this" and then just step away if they refuse.

Imo, C is a much more ethical option than A. (I'm really not sure for B).

Journeyman Geek

hm In this case, its essentially murder.

there's nothing wrong with the hamster other than human stupidity

@Sarov I mean, I'm not posting that as an answer

merely stating I am upset by the attitude

I wish I had a solution (No humane societies in moscow? At all?)

Sarov

If I were to answer it, it'd probably be something like...
"When you bought a pet, you took on the responsibility to care for that pet. To do otherwise is unethical. I strongly urge you to do so.
That being said, if you absolutely refuse, the least-evil approach you can take is to take the hamster to a vet and get it humanely euthanized."

Journeyman Geek

I mean if it was singapore I'd point them at the right place

(hell, maybe even help)

Sarov

(I also legit don't know about option B. It seems like a gamble with potentially the best and the almost-worst outcomes.)

Journeyman Geek

2:29 PM

Option B either means a rescue, or a long, cold lonely death by starvation

Sarov

Exactly.

Journeyman Geek

A probably means getting eaten by a cat, or wildlife