Adoption advice

[6Dusters]

I have been thinking of adopting out a few "pet only" chins and one pedigree violet boy. All of them are special to me. But I need room for future breeding of my new foundation herd. I want to be careful with placements. I understand the complex needs of all my animals and the costs associated with caring for them. That is what I would expect from the adopter. Having said that I was wondering if any of you could give any further advice. In the past I've had good adoptions and a couple that did not meet my expectations.

 

[Megan]

The one thing I've learned is that honestly, anything can happen. We always strive to find the best homes, but sometimes the best homes are really not that great--and the homes we almost passed up turn out to be the better home.

With that said...Do it with an open mind. Ask a ton of questions(though, keep in mind people WILL lie to get what they want), have them sign an adoption contract...and educate,educate, edcuate. I've found some of the best homes are ones where they did little research--but are willing to learn and take the advice I give them.

 

[starleomach]

I like to meet people. I know it is a risk having people come to your house but I like people to come by, spend some time here in the chinchilla room with me so I can get a feel for them, then I like when they go home and come back a few days later to get the chinchillas. And go with your gut If I have a bad feeling about someone the few times I have ignored it, it ends bad.

One great experiance was I was letting go of an older breeder who just wasn't up to the standards I need in my sapphire lines but I was attached so I kinda held on longer than I should have. But when the girl and her mother came by to see him I felt so good I let him go that day and had no regrets. He has now been living happily with her for a while.

You know when you found the right home. He still lays in her arms to be pet and will lay there for an hour or more he sure as heck did not do that here LOL.

 

[ABBY W.]

I absolutely agree with Starleomach. I always insist on at least one in person visit to my chinchilla room. That gives me a chance to evaluate them and see how they interact with the animals. I also ask lots of questions about what they know. Do they have a vet lined up? What bedding, food, etc will they be using? I also have a booklet I give to new owners to read before they take the chinchilla home. Anyone who isn't open to this information isn't taking one of my babies home.