Set A Minimum Size For Hamster Cages

 

Hamsters all over Minnesota suffer from chronic stress because of their small cages and restrictive environment. The

current average floor space of a hamster cage sold in a retail store is a diabolical 2.4 square feet. This bill will set

the minimum amount of floor space of a hamster cage sold in a retail store to be 10,000 square centimeters. (An example

of the dimensions of a cage with that area would be 4 by 2.4 feet). People who already own smaller hamster cages or are

buying online are not effected by this bill; this applies only to physical stores selling cages in Minnesota. The Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Minnesota's Office of Animal Protection (OAP) will ensure cages being

sold are of the proper size.

 

Hamsters in small cages (like the kind that are currently advertised in pet stores) are much more likely to suffer from

chronic stress and its symptoms. These symptoms include bar chewing, monkey-barring, and trying to escape their cage.

Several studies, including one published in 2007 by Cambridge University, have been done on how cage size effects

hamsters. Cambridge put 60 female hamsters in cages with different amounts of floor space (the sizes were 1,800 square

centimeters, 2,500 square centimeters, 5,000 square centimeters, and 10,000 square centimeters). Hamsters in the smaller

cages chewed on their bars longer and more frequently than those in the larger cages, and were also more likely to

monkey-bar around their cage. This study concluded that hamsters with a minimum of 10,000 square centimeters of floor

space have much better overall wellness, and are much more calm, than those in smaller cages. Being calm is good for the

hamster, and the owner. A less stressed hamster is less likely to bite or try to escape, and easier to hold/tame.

Selling larger cages will make people more likely to have a properly sized cage, making the hamster 's experience better

(and, in turn, the owner's).

 

Chronic stress- the prolonged state of mental or physical strain

Monkey barring- a stress induced behavior where the hamster repeatedly climbs the bars of their cage

Retail store- a business establishment that sells products or services directly to the public

Misdemeanor- a more minor wrongdoing than a felony that goes on a record

 

No funding required.

 

Penalties will be awarded/carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Minnesota's Office

of Animal Protection (OAP). Whenever a cage without the required floor area is being listed as available for purchase by

the store. First offense is a $500 fine issued to the owner of the store, and the second is a $700 fine. If a store

violates this requirement three times, they are issued a $800 fine, are considered as having enacted a misdemeanor, and

cannot sell hamster cages for six months. Punishment may vary based on the offense and if any misdemeanors have been

issued in the past (for example, if a store has already violated this requirement three times) in which case the store's

owner would go to court to decide their punishment.

 

This bill will take effect 3 years after the date of its passing.