Hi there. I wouldn't imagine that there is any real issue as to why they have stopped stocking them, it may either be that their supplier has dried up, or that they themselves have had an outbreak of a particular disease (hamsters can get a nasty bacterial bowel infection called wet tail), and they may want to wait a while to restock, to be sure they are rid of the disease.
This won't be a problem to smaller suppliers who possibly stock less hamsters anyway, and will be less prone to disease.
If you've found a smaller local store, and they look healthy, i'd get one there. The 'teddy bear' hamsters make great children's first pets!
Regards
Andrea
I called one chain and they believe that the reason is because of inbreeding. Sound like a strange reason!
THANK YOU.
---Alison
That certainly is a strange reason, but occasionally congenital defects can occur, so they probably want to stop breeding from that particular line.
I do hope your son enjoys his new hamster!
Veterinarian
bvm&s mrcvs 15 years as a companion animal veterinarian