Two Hamsters and a Turtle Found by Swan Lake
At just before noon today, two Byrd Park residents happened upon a strange sight as they pushed their baby stroller along the sidewalk to the West of Swan Lake. Next to an open bag of pet food sat two brown and white hamsters, stuffing their cheeks full of seeds. One didn’t flinch as the couple picked it up. The other was more skittish, but went along eventually. Before taking the two evidently abandoned critters home to call the SPCA, the couple also noticed a small painted turtle a couple feet away (the type you see at the pet store). This one didn’t put up much of a chase. They dropped him off at in the water and watched him swim away.
Wonder Pets anyone? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxlWvE2U0nw
I’ve heard there’s a large feral hamster population down by the lakes. I’m sure they would have done just fine. Seriously, people? Abandoning hamsters?
How unbelievably cruel to abandon those little ones like that. Sometimes I really dislike people…:(
Definitely should not have let the turtle go: 1. It almost certainly froze to death, with no chance to slowly adjust and go into hibernation, 2. They can spread diseases picked up in the home to native reptiles, and 3. It’s illegal.
Not that I blame this couple; I’m sure they thought they were doing the right thing.
Since I’m part of a couple that routinely pushes a baby stroller around the lakes, I’m sure it’s assumed that I was using my own anonymity in this story as a pretense. Nope. Since these folks happened upon the situation, I figured they didn’t want too much attention. They did offer me a hamster (I said no). Then they posted them on Craigslist and a kindhearted person took them in (crossing fingers about the kindhearted person part). The hamsters were beyond cute. Wish I’d thought to snap their picture.
I hope my hamster, Bruce, was found by a couple of people, as caring as these. I lost my hamster in autumn 2008 and never saw him again. I’m a little worried that he may have been eaten by a predator, but am none the wiser whether he has or not.
Update: the hamsters were picked up by an employee of one of my favorite Cary Town stores…Penzeys Spices. So Ill be able to check up on my furry friends. ya