Man finds “wild” hamster and goes viral trying to find owner and save it from animal services

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A man in Osaka, Japan, is gaining online attention for rescuing a lost hamster. He’s trying to find the hamster’s owner quickly, hoping to prevent it from being taken to an animal shelter.

A post by a Japanese user named Takataka is quickly spreading online. It’s already been viewed over 11 million times and liked by more than 100,000 people on X.

Takataka spotted the hamster near Shimanouchi in Osaka around 9 p.m. He intervened to prevent it from being hit by a car.

Around 9 PM tonight, someone found a wild hamster in Shimanouchi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, and saved it from being hit by a car, according to a recent post.

“I’m about to take it to the Minami Police Station in Chuo-ku, Osaka City.”

Please help me find the owner of a hamster! I just found one near Shimanouchi 1-chome in Osaka City around 9 PM. It was almost hit by a car, so I rescued it and am taking it to the Minami Police Station in Chuo Ward. If the owner isn’t found within a week, it will go to the health center. Please share this post so we can reunite the hamster with its family!

— たかたか大阪DQWオラドラ相互 (@JJbcQRiOsdfmaEO) May 13, 2026

The viral post included photos of the tiny hamster safe inside a container, after it had been rescued from the road.

Takataka said that if no one claims the hamster after a week, it might be taken to a nearby health center. They asked people online to share the post in hopes of finding the owner.

Man vows to stop rescued hamster being sent away

I first saw this story blowing up on Japanese Twitter, and then it just everywhere online. Everyone was seriously impressed with the person who took the time to help that animal – it was a really heartwarming thing to see.

Takataka later explained they had already talked with the proper authorities and requested to be notified if no one claimed the hamster.

“I told them, ‘If no owner is found, please call me,’” they wrote.

When I find an animal in need, I’ll take them in immediately and then find a trustworthy foster family to provide long-term care.

Takataka confessed that they quickly grew fond of the hamster after taking it in.

I recently delivered it, but it was so adorable I actually got quite fond of it. Saying goodbye was really difficult!

I refuse to take the hamster to the health center. I’m determined to find a happy home for it instead.

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2026-05-14 18:21