Animal shelter worker crochets sweater to keep hairless hamster warm

PORTLAND, Oregon -- 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.

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.

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.

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