Meet a fosterer - Alice

We thought we'd introduce a few of the people that foster for us, and get them to give you some insight on what it's like to be part of the team!

Name & pronouns?

Alice. they/them

Where are you based?

Somerset

How long have you kept hamsters?

Since I got my first foster in May 2025

Did you start off knowing proper ethical care, or did you have to learn it?

I started off knowing it thanks to spending a lot of time in ethical care communities online for other species, there were crossovers in some species and I saw and picked up a lot of info about hamsters, so I quickly worked out their popular care information was about as up to date as every other exotic/small animal😅

How long have you been a fosterer?

Since May 2025

What made you decide to foster?

I love rescuing and helping animals, it’s pretty much all I want to do with my life, I find it so rewarding. I already had experience rescuing and fostering other species so I thought it would be cool to try hamsters too (I wasn’t expecting to fall in love quite so much tho!) Fostering for me is also a way to learn how to care for new species of animals, without having to commit to keeping them full term. I already have a lot of rescue animals, so by fostering I can learn about and help rescue more animals, and gain more experience, without completely filling the house up with them😂

How many fosters do you have?

I currently have 3 fosters, plus two that live here full time, this is the max for me I’m running out of space😅

Can you tell me about your first ever foster hamster?

My first foster hamster was my first hamster ever, she was a 15 month old Syrian I named Rue. She was surrendered to us as her previous owners couldn’t keep her anymore and she was so so sweet, she was the perfect hamster all around. I always had a feeling Rue would end up staying with me but I was determined not to foster fail her, however, just as she finished her assessment period she got ill. She had all sorts of tests and scans done but we couldn’t find a reason for her symptoms, and because of that she couldn’t be adopted, so she ended up staying with me after all (which was fine with me, by this point I was absolutely in love!) Unfortunately a few months later she went downhill rapidly and had to be put to sleep.

Who is your most memorable foster?

Definitely Rue, she stole my heart, she was such a little fighter, I always wish I could’ve had more time with her or that I could’ve done more for her.

What do you wish you had known when you first started to foster?

I’m not sure really, like I said I’d already fostered other species for other rescues, so I had a good idea about how the whole process worked, however I definitely wasn’t expecting the amount of STUFF you need for hamsters, it’s taken over the house😂so I guess it would’ve been good to have been more prepared for that haha.

What have you enjoyed most about fostering?

Being part of a team of likeminded people, and feeling like I’m making a difference to these little lives.

What have you found to be the biggest myth around hamster care?

Honestly I’ve never really heard any myths, probably because I started off in the rescue/ethical care community.

If anyone wanted to become a fosterer, what tips would you give them?

Just go for it, be willing to learn as I think that’s the most important thing, don’t be afraid to ask questions either. Also don’t think you’re immune to a foster fail, you’re not!😂

What makes fostering worth it for you?

Obviously making a positive difference for so many animals is a huge part. Being part of such a great community is something I really enjoy too, and I love that I’m constantly learning.

Thank you to Alice for such a great interview! They are an amazing part of the Bright Horizon team, and they do so much great work for hamsters, and so many other animals! Bright Horizon wouldn't work without our amazing team of foster carers, and we can never thank them enough