If you’ve ever had a hamster or several like me, then you’ll feel your heart break after watching German artist Jenny Hefczyc’s latest comic. The artist, known to the world as Jenny-Jinya, tackled the harsh reality that some people stop caring for their hamsters due to peer pressure.
Jenny points out that some owners neglect hamsters and similar small pets because they are cheap to come by. Lack of education and empathy can cause hamsters to suffer and have a shorter life. Therefore, it is imperative to do at least a little research before getting a pet, as well as being prepared to provide your pets with good living conditions and food.
Just remember, dear pandas, the subject can touch you a lot – it’s okay to shed a tear because these little hamsters deserve all the love, just like larger pets. You’ll find our other recent articles on Jenny’s art here (lone swan), here (tribute to refuge staff), and here (isolated killer whale). These comics always inspire us to have more empathy for all living things. We hope they inspire you too.
Had another lovely chat with Jenny about her new comic. She told Bored Panda that hamsters have been on her list for a long time. “But the need to draw a comic was reinforced when someone on Facebook bought a hamster and proudly posted a picture of a cage that was too small. It was sad how resistant the person was to advice, and the counterargument was really just ‘the pet store staff said the size was enough!'”
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Artist Jenny-Jinya decided that it’s time that we talked about hamsters and how some owners neglect these tiny little rodents
I wanted to get Jenny’s opinion on why some people don’t give hamsters the care and attention they require. “I have a feeling the tenor ‘it’s just a hamster’ still prevails. “If a hamster dies, he just buys a new one for $10.” Anyone can buy such a small life for little money, often still on false advice because the staff at many pet stores are not properly trained. It’s a general wrong attitude towards animals, not just rodents,” said the artist.
According to Jenny, we can all find the time to do a little research before getting a pet. All we have to do is sit down and open our minds. “It’s not really a lot of work to sit down and learn about the creature you want to bring into your home. Nor is it too much work and effort to improve their lives. Some fresh vegetables, generally a healthy balanced diet,” she shared. Let the hamster explore the world outside the cage from time to time (in a safe and supervised environment, of course). Keep their cages clean and learn about the causes and symptoms of common hamster illnesses. Just take responsibility for the little life that depends on you.”
Jenny also added a PSA about the importance for owners to do proper research before getting a pet
At the end of the comic, Jenny delivers a public service announcement, urging hamster owners to educate themselves on how to improve the lives of their little friends. That includes feeding them the right food, getting them a cage that’s roomy enough for them to move around, and providing a larger, safer wheel for them to exercise on.
From my own personal experience raising hamsters, I can tell you that giving them the right food is absolutely paramount. Try mixing in fresh lettuce and vegetable bits from time to time to supplement the dry food you get at the store.
Also, be sure to change the water every day (and give the bottle a good wash so no yucky mold grows anywhere) and the bedding at least once a week (more often in the summer). But above all, hook your hamsters! Play with them, talk to them. They are a member of your family now after all. It’s always heartbreaking when our miniature rodent friends cross the rainbow, but until then, we can fill their lives and their little hearts with joy.
Here is what some of Jenny’s fans have been saying about her latest comic
Earlier, during my talks with Jenny, I learned that her motivation for drawing is to tell stories and create worlds with her illustrations. Each of her comics requires a lot of research, plus her topics can be very emotionally draining for her. So, after publishing a new comic, she takes a few days off to rest, relax, and recover from all the exertion.
Jenny also shared that she often takes in sick and injured animals. Her love for animals is very genuine and she practices it beyond her art.
Although each of her comics takes a different amount of time to finish, she needs about a week for the drawings. That’s in addition to the research she does for each and every story.
“I picked up a pencil as a kid and never stopped scribbling. I always wanted to be an artist. I wanted to tell stories and create worlds”, said the German artist who has drawing in her blood and has been following her all her life.
What do you think of Jenny’s art, dear readers? What do you think about her latest comic? Are any of you current or former hamster owners like me? Let us know in the comments section.
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