Best Place to get Chinchilla

[harleygirl]

I am interested in getting a chinchilla. The thing is I have not decided if I want to get one from a breeder or if I should get one off from craigslist. I have gone to petsmart and looked at the one that they have but I just think that I should get one a little older because most people want them when they are little then get rid of them. I have contacted a breeder who also rescues but she has not got back in touch with me so I am looking else where. I know somethings as I had one years ago but so much about them have changed from what I remember that I am trying to learn all of the new things including diet and cage size.

 

[tunes]

It just depends on what you are looking for. With Craigslist, it's a crapshoot. The chin might or might not be healthy and will come with no kind of support. Once they well it, it's a done deal. I always feel incredibly bad for the chins on CL and would like to be able to snag them all.

With a reputable breeder, you should be able to get a healthy animal that has no known health defect. That's not saying something can't/won't develop, but at least with a breeder you can go back and ask questions, find out if there is a history of that in the animals lines, etc. Most hobbyists also are ready to be supportive if you need help finding a vet, have general questions, get concerned over something, etc. You won't get that off of CL.

IMO, either/or is fine. If one appeals to you on CL, get it. If you can't find one that calls to you, then go see a breeder.

 

[rutherford]

I got Rutherford from a reputable breeder in San Diego, CA, and so far, I have no complaints. A breeder offers a wide variety of choices: gender, color, age, and temperament. Outside the door of each cage, the chinchilla's birthday, lineage, etc. are listed to help you make your decision if you're looking for a particular chinchilla. Basically, I just went up to a lot of cages, stuck my hand near their cage, and look to see if I could get any response from the chinchillas. Once I see a chinchilla react positively, or at least slightly interested in me, the breeder brought out the chinchilla for me to hold. Eventually, after sitting happily in the hood of my hoodie, Rutherford chose me! Plus, the breeder also sell the pellet, hay, bedding, chew toys, etc. for a relatively low price. And you know it's safe to get it from them, too.

It's really up to you to decide which option appeals to you in terms of finding the chinchilla you're hoping to find. Good luck to you!

 

[ErinsChins]

Where are you located? There are a ton of chinchillas in rescues that need good homes, and it's great that you are okay with an older one. A lot of the time they end up more mellow anyway. It's already been mentioned, but craigslist has a lot of homes that need chins as well, but you never know what you're getting.

 

[eroomlorac]

Actually, I have a wonderful little male chinchilla that really needs a permanent home, if you are interested.

 

[KristinC1983]

eroomlorac, I LOVE, LOVE the Albert Schweitzer saying you have! I swear I got goosebumps. I think it'd make a fantastic tattoo if it weren't so long cause **** they hurt, lol!

HarleyGirl, It is fantastic that you are considering adopting! Soooo many chins need good homes, a second chance, and if you can help even just one, you are just great. Also, good for you for trying to learn about chins again. From what I hear, the info about them changes often out there, but on here, you're getting great info, so stick to these people.

I found the breeder I bought Sunny from online. Somehow during hours of research, I missed the fact that they need rescuing, but I love him like crazy, so the next I will rescue. I'm sure you can find many rescues online as well. Or eroomlorac said she's got a male who needs a home. For me, I just went on Google and typed in "Chinchilla breeders in New Jersey". I ended up going to PA but they took mme to a big site with lots of states and listed breeders. And many breeders are also rescues, so searching individual websites can help. Where are you?!

Just ask lots and lots of questions, and when you go to pick the chin up, make sure you look around a bit. I don't know much about Craigslist, but I've read that chins and most other animals should not be shipped, so unless you can physically pick it up from the breeder or rescue or owner, I wouldn't do it. Good luck.

 

[harleygirl]

I live in NC and I agree shipping is very tramatic on animals if I was going to go to Illionios to see my grandson I would rescue yours. I have contacted a few people on craigslist and waiting for responses. I want to see a couple before I decide on one to make sure I get the one that responds best to meand my husband. The last time a brought home a pet it attacked my husband everytime he got near it. This time I promise that I would make sure it liked him as well. Anyone has any suggestions on how to tell if it will bond with both of us.

 

[Jazicat]

Going to a breeder, rescue or getting a chinchilla from a trusted source will be able to tell you about personality if there is only one animal. If you go to a breeder or rescue than they will have more chinchillas to choose from so you could let the chin pick you. Edgar has never seemed to prefer either of us but we make a point both giving him attention so he knows we both love him. We just got our second chinchilla and he's older. He also seems to like us both but is still getting settled. I think that in most cases if you get a healthy well adjusted chinchilla they don't usually prefer only one person. Of course the more your husband plays with the chinchilla the more it will like him.

ETA I think the chin referred to earlier would be an awesome choice if you are able to adopt him.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

Personally, I think it's just a judgement call - I haven't taken in rescues but I have acquired breeders as adults and frankly I think it's really just up to their personalities. I have kits and adults who are very spastic and antisocial and I have really sweet kits and adults. One of the male kits I have now would probably ride around on a shoulder.

Tiffany (threewingedfury) is located in NC - Roxboro I believe. I live in Nashville, TN if you are close to the TN border (I occasionally make trips east).