Hamsters a big hit with pet lovers

"A nuh rich people alone wah pets, poor people wah dem too," were the sentiments of Dwayne Marsh, who has been a pet store owner for more than 10 years.

In recent times, Marsh said he has noticed an increase in the number of pets being adopted especially by persons who are in what is considered a lower socioeconomic background. He told THE WEEKEND STAR that he believes this is due to people's need for companionship, and because pets are great stress relievers. He also told the news team that one of the favourite pets that persons adopt from him are hamsters which he sells for only $1,000.

"Di demand for the hamsters dem kinda fluctuate because some days mi will sell all six a dem, but then the next day mi nuh sell none. But mi sell bout 30 or 40 every month," Marsh explained. He said that based on customer feedback, persons like to buy the rodents because they are small and easy to care for. In addition to the hamsters, he also has dogs, rabbits, ducks and turkeys.

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited Marsh's pet store along Lyndhurst Road in St Andrew, his hamsters were sold out. However, another fan favourite was there. Beside the popular roadway, Marsh had three different species of birds for sale, including a green Indian ring-neck parakeet which cost $85,000, and a red, yellow and blue scarlet macaw with the starting price of $25,000, both of which were out of their cages, freely hanging out.

"Di people dem love di birds, especially the kids. Them always stop by after school and pet dem," Marsh said adding that he also allows children to pet his rabbits.

"It really mek mi happy fi see the joy pan dem face mi nah tell nuh lie it mek it all worth it," Marsh said with a bright smile.