THE HAMSTERS SOUTH AFRICA STORY

Early Passion and Research

My journey with hamsters began in 2002, when I welcomed my first Dwarf Hamster named Toyful. This sparked my interest in hamsters and drove me to research their care. At the time, there was limited information available regarding healthy living conditions for hamsters in captivity. In South Africa, pet shops offered few safe and suitable products, making it necessary to innovate with DIY solutions and alternative options.

Challenges and Progress

Around 2007, as more research on hamster care became available, I attempted to share updated information with pet shops. However, much of this information was dismissed, as shop owners feared losing sales from inexpensive, unsafe products already on their shelves.

Foundation of Hamsters South Africa

In 2014, motivated by frustration, I founded Hamsters South Africa. Initially, it was an educational Facebook group dedicated to hamster care in South Africa. Two years later, this effort expanded into an informative website. Our mission continues to improve the lives of hamsters and their owners, and the website has grown into a comprehensive resource for public use.

Online Shop – Tiny Pet Mall

As more products became available in JHB and CPT, in 2018 I embarked on providing a shopping service for hamster owners living in cities and smaller towns. Then came the Covid pandemic in 2020 when imported products dried up due to lockdowns and supply became near-impossible for quite some time until, in 2023, I ventured into the online shopping and local manufacturing market.

To mark Hamsters South Africa’s 10th anniversary in 2024, we launched our own online shop and registered HSA as a business. This development has grown and now allows us to offer high-quality products to the hamster community in South Africa, and also the introduction of a few select items for rats.

Commitment to Local Businesses

Our mission includes supporting honest, hard-working, small local businesses by stocking their products when we are unable to manufacture them ourselves, and incorporating their ingredients in HSA’s own products.

The online shop does not focus on glamorous photography or elaborate packaging. Instead, we prioritise keeping costs low, recycling, and allowing the quality of our products to speak for themselves.

Products and Quality

Based in Cape Town, Hamsters South Africa Online Shop is among a select group of small local businesses dedicated to producing and providing safe, top-quality products for hamsters and rats across the country. Our collection features a range of self-made and local items, including unique paper bedding, well-researched species-specific dry mixes, enrichment blends, treats, and chews.

Most ingredients used are human food-grade chosen to ensure the highest quality. Upon arrival, they are immediately placed in the deep freezer and kept there to prevent contamination or infestation and to preserve quality.

Only the safest and best products are included in our catalogue, ensuring the well-being of your small pets.

Boggle & Brux Rescue

As a member of the Boggle And Brux Rescue Team, I coordinate hamster adoptions and provide guidance to new hamster owners in preparing for their new companions.

The shop offers a donations option, allowing supporters to contribute funds for Boggle & Brux, as well as a page where we sell products for the rescue at no profit to ourselves. These donations & sales help cover care and veterinary expenses for hamsters and rats in need. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Educational Website

The educational and informational website for hamsters remains active, continuing to support small local businesses as well: https://www.hamsterssouthafrica.com

Gratitude

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.

Warmest regards

Tana Pressly