jick
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Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/08 09:53
So I've decided that I really would like a hedgehog. I've done my research and I've found a chance to play with one in person. I've researched the breeders in my area and contacted them. NOW, maybe someone can help me understand the process of actually buying one.
Most of the breeders that I contact let me know that I will be put on a waiting list. Is it rude to stay on multiple waiting lists? 
Some breeders have pictures, some require deposits. Is it common for people to blindly just pay deposits on an animal they've never seen and then pay up to $200 afterwards? 
I don't mean to be rude, but no matter what animal type I was interested in, I would still be a little weary of just paying the money and hoping I get what I want when I arrive. I just want the perfect little guy for me and I'd like to see him before I spend the money.
Post edited by: jick, at: 2007/10/08 09:54
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Stasi
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/08 14:26
I can only give you my opinion - if you are on multiple wait lists - be up front about it, and be sure to let the others know when you've decided to work with one breeder in particular. Then the others can remove you from the waitlist, and be able to get through theirs that much faster.
I encourage people to come meet the babies prior to the babies weaning date. Then they can be picked out in person, and the deposit put down on that specific animal. However, with gas prices as high as they are, and people as busy, I have found in the last couple of years that almost all of my new families choose to put the deposit down based on a photo of the baby.
I work with the families and make sure that the hedgehog they desire is going to generally be a good match for the described environment. (i.e.:a particularly shy hedgehog+family with many children=not a good match)
Overall, that seems to work fine.
My deposits (and every other breeders I know of) are part of the final price. Thus, a female chocolate that is $200 that you've put a $50 deposit down on, you'll owe $150.
Does that help explain things?
Stasi
Terrapin Hedgehogs
Joppa, MD
www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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jick
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/08 17:45
Thanks so much. It is very helpful.
A large part of finding the perfect hedgie for me is dealing with the breeders themselves. It is very important to me to find a breeder that will be willing to make the time for me to visit beforehand as I feel it is important for me to do that. The willingness to help me and talk with me about my choices does make the search enjoyable. 
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Julie Pierce
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/08 18:41
All the breeders I know are happy to have customers come out and personally pick out there babies BUT customers need to understand that the safety and well being of the babies and Mom come first so you will need to wait til the babies are old enough to be handled. That is why I dont take deposits before the babies are 5 wks old because I want to give everyone the opportunity to pick out there babies personally.
As Stasi said, I have many customers that travel hours and hours to my place for a baby. For these customers, it is helpful to refer to the photos and pick out a baby via the photo. They mail in their deposit and usually only see the baby on pick up. Its all a personal choice.
Whichever breeder you are dealing with, you should feel comfortable asking questions, feel confident in the answers you are receiving and a breeder should never tell you that they will not allow you to see the babies before leaving your deposit.
I hope this helps and good luck finding your hedgehog!
Julie Pierce
Pierce's Pogs
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HamorHollow
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/08 22:38
I think Stasi an d Julie summed things up pretty well.
It is fine to be on several waiting lists, but you have to consider that other people may be on several waiting lists as well. This is why we tend to tell people that we don't know exactly how long the wait will be, or who from the list will be interested when the babies are ready to go.
Like Stasi said, be honest with the breeders. We talk to each other all the time. Don't try to be tricky or play us against each other, or you may find yourself bumped from everyone's lists.
I recently trimmed my waiting list because I had 20 people who were just sitting on it and not responding to me when I posted available babies.
Any good breeder will let you visit, but you have to be flexible if you want to see a particular litter. We do our best to be fair to everyone, and a lot of people will drive several hours to pick up their baby. It is really difficult to be fair to both the close people and the far people while still getting the new babies into their homes at a young age.
There are a lot of people who want the baby at as young as they can get it, the problem being that they want it to be super young and ready exactly when it is convenient for them to come and pick it up. So we play the game of trying to be fair, get the babies out quickly, and get everyone exactly what they want.
It's tough being a hedgehog breeder, and sometimes I feel more like a circus performer.
-K
Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
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jick
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/08 22:43
Some people have flat out refused to allow me to see either photos or hedgehogs unless I've paid them a deposit beforehand (how does that make sense to them?) Others have been great enough to answer all of my questions and arrange meeting times. I'm glad most are as helpful and friendly as they are. It makes finding the right hedgie worth the wait.
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CThogs
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/09 06:31
I agree with what has been said so far by everyone.
Especially with people who have not owned hedgehogs before or even seen hedgehogs in person before, I think it is important to let them see photos or hedgehogs (whichever works in their situation) before putting down a deposit. I would rather have them be comfortable with their decision.
But you do have to be fair to the breeders too and realize that a lot of it is timing as far as how long you may have to wait or how many babies you will get to choose from. We see an awful lot of people who want a hedgehog as soon as possible and being on multiple wait lists is not necessarily going to be the best experience or get you a hedgehog any quicker.
Honesty is always appreciated. It is especially nice when you decide to work with one breeder and let the others know so they can remove you from their wait list.
Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs
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aislinsadia
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/10 10:28
I've had both experiences- picking up a baby solely based on the picture, and picking out a baby (I had two choices) that I wanted. Both times I went to the same breeder, and both times I had to drive over five hours one way to get to my pogs. I don't regret either of these experiences, and I love both of my guys to death- but I would have to say that I think you are making the right choice in choosing a hog that suits your particular tastes and getting to meet him/her first.
*~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittehs), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), and Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs). |
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CandJ327
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Re:Questions on finding the right Breeder/Baby - 2007/10/10 19:05
I am five hours depending on Mass turnpike traffic away from the breeder I went to. She updated us with pictures and I have to say that not being able to see Ava in advance, having a picture really helped. It was like I could say "that's going to be my little girl." I wouldn't have put money down on blind faith alone that the babies existed without at least a picture.
Ava's mom!
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