Ten-year-old entrepreneur launches country's first hamster hotelJupiter



Animal loving 10-year-old Alex Dellamuro has opened up a 'hamster hotel' in a bid to fill a gap in the market and make some extra pocket money!

The schoolboy charges bed and board at £1 per night at his home in Lelant, Cornwall. He already has four guests booked in – albeit all guinea pigs, rather than hamsters!

10-year-old entrepreneur launches UK's first hamster hotelAlex and his own hamster Smudge


Alex told his local radio station Pirate FM: "I like making houses for my hamster, because I get loads of cages and expand them, like upgrade, and then I thought it looked like a hotel, and then I kind of thought of a hamster hotel, and then I got on the computer and made a little poster."

Like any good b&b landlord, Alex has a list of rules and regulationss for his house guests, and expects his customers to provide their own cages.

"We can't supply our own hamster cages, so obviously you have to bring your own," he said, but added that they do 'supply bedding and food, and water and cleaning'. And, most importantly 'will look after and play with' all their furry guests!

What a great idea! Have your kids got a 'business' they are trying to get off the ground?

Top 10 family pets

  • Ferret
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Playful, busy and constantly on the move.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> You need more than one - they like company - and a very large hutch to keep them in.</p>
    Ferret
  • Guinea pig
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Gets ridiculously excited about lettuce (you can tell by the high-pitched squeaks).</p> <p> <strong>Minus: </strong></p> <p> Needs a large run, safe from predators - which has to be indoors in cold weather.</p>
    Guinea pig
  • Goldfish
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Calming, colourful and simple to look after.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> You have to keep an eye on small children who like throwing in too much food.</p>
    Goldfish
  • Dog
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Loyal, loving and part of the family.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Needs to be taken for a walk every day (and you have to pick up the poo).</p>
    Dog
  • Stick insect
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Minimal maintenance - needs only leaves and water.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Not overly affectionate. Can sometimes be confused with a twig.</p>
    Stick insect
  • Cat
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Beautiful to watch, and scares away mice.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Some are affectionate, some aren&rsquo;t (and there&rsquo;s nothing worse than being cold-shouldered by a cat).</p>
    Cat
  • Rabbit
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Affectionate and good-natured (although has been known to nip).</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Will probably need a hutch outside - which means clearing out dirty straw even when it&rsquo;s cold and raining.</p>
    Rabbit
  • Tortoise
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Looks incredibly wise and lives for a long time. Beware endangered species.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Not really around much for four or five months of the year.</p>
    Tortoise
  • Hamster
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Incredibly sweet and admirably fast.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Brilliant escape artist - and very smelly if the cage isn&rsquo;t cleaned often.</p>
    Hamster
  • Gerbil
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Small, furry and sweet.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Loves digging tunnels, so you&rsquo;ll need a very large cage with potting compost at the bottom.</p>
    Gerbil