Animal shelter worker crochets tiny sweater for hairless hamster

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Thursday, October 27, 2016
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PORTLAND, Ore. -- An Oregon animal shelter went above and beyond to help a hamster, crocheting a tiny white sweater to help keep her warm.

Silky the hamster is hairless due to a genetic mutation, according to the Oregon Humane Society in Portland.



In a news release, OHS staffer Diana Gabaldon said that because Silky, "isn't fluffy like a normal hamster," she gets cold easily.

Silky "does need to be kept in a heated environment, especially during the winter, and have a higher protein diet to keep her warm," Gabaldon said.



But recently, on a particularly cold day, despite a heated habitat and higher protein diet, Silky was found "huddled in the corner of her cage," the news release said.

OHS Animal Care Technician Selene Mejia decided to give her a custom-sized sweater "to help her stay cozy" on especially cold days.

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