A FAMILY had a shock when they woke to find a tiny guest in their kitchen.

The Middlesbrough family were coming down to their breakfast when they spotted a hamster running across the kitchen floor, a piece of pasta in her mouth which she had foraged from underneath the cooker.

The children named the hamster Dora the Explorer after her favourite cartoon.

RSPCA Inspector Kristina Raine collected the intrepid hamster on Saturday.

She said: “The family woke up to a tiny guest joining them for breakfast. When the children told me they had called her Dora after their favourite TV show, I just thought that was so perfect. She has certainly been on a little adventure. We asked the neighbours if she belonged to them but haven’t been able to find an owner so it seems like this friendly explorer must have come fairly far.”

Dora is now being taken care of at the RSPCA Great Ayton Animal Centre where she will wait for seven days for an owner to come forward. If the owner cannot be found then she will hopefully find a new home.

Hamsters enjoy exploring and can run up to five miles a day. They use their whiskers to aid detection of objects and explore their environment.

  • If you recognise Dora, contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 -123-8018.