Oregon animal shelter worker crochets tiny sweater to help hairless hamster stay warm

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Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Selene Mejia, an animal care technician with the Oregon Humane Society in the city of Portland, crocheted a tiny sweater for Silky the hairless hamster.
Oregon Humane Society

PORTLAND, OR -- An Oregon animal shelter went above and beyond to help a hamster, crocheting a tiny white sweater to help keep her warm.

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

Silky the hairless hamster is pictured here without her sweater.
Oregon Humane Society

In a news release, OHS staffer Diana Gabaldon says 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.

Selene Mejia, an animal care technician with the Oregon Humane Society in the city of Portland, crocheted a tiny sweater for Silky the hairless hamster.
Oregon Humane Society

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.

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

Read the full story from ABC News.

Selene Mejia, an animal care technician with the Oregon Humane Society in the city of Portland, crocheted a tiny sweater for Silky the hairless hamster.
Oregon Humane Society
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