The most common place to buy a hamster is from your local pet shop. You can also purchase them from breeders. If someone you know owns hamsters and they have babies, they may also give them to you. Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a hamster:

Try buying your hamster in the evening when it's more active and you can tell if it's healthy.

Make sure it's body is smooth and well rounded.

It should have a clean coat and no bare patches.

Be sure that its ears are clean.

Its eyes should be bright and clean.

Try to buy a hamster between 4-8 weeks old. Young hamsters are easier to tame.

Only buy multiple hamsters if you have enough cage space. Also refer to the info page to see if your hamsters can live together.

Be aware that if you buy more than one hamster that if they are of the same sex, they may fight, and if different, they may mate.

Know what food the hamster has been eating so you can start off by giving the hamster that type. Then slowly you can let it try different foods.

Pet stores will give you a box to carry your hamster home in, but they are usually cardboard. If you won't be home for a while, you may want to bring a small plastic box with airholes.