Don't know what to do

[Maighen]

We all know that I'm a new chinchilla owner and that I have only had Bailey for almost a week now! Well this morning my sister calls me...apparently the person I got Bailey from now has a female chinchilla who they don't know if she is pregnant...that they want me to take! I'm far from being a chinchilla rescue....and my intentions of taking Bailey were not to have this person continually give me their chinchillas. I know that Bailey's cage buddy died 2 1/2 weeks before I got him and now there is a female who they want to get rid of. What should I do? I don't want to leave her in what could be a bad situation but at the same time...I'm just learning about chinchillas!

 

[eroomlorac]

Take her and rehome her to someone who knows how to raise babies if you have to.

 

[Maighen]

Would it be better to wait until the babies are born or get her and try to rehome her before the babies are born? If there are any babies of course....if not.....I could keep her and still ask questions and get advice from all of you

 

[Megan]

I'd get them out of the house. Too bad you aren't closer, as I'd be willing to take her in.

 

[Maighen]

I wish I was closer to all of you! I'm going to call my sister and tell her to bring her to me! Where do I put her? In Baileys room? I know I have to quarentine for 30 days...will this upset Bailey?

 

[Megan]

Keep her away from Bailey if you can in a seperate room... Also do not put them together

 

[Maighen]

Should I rehome her before the babies arrive (if she is pregnant) or should I wait until they are born? I'm stressing out what if this is an every week thing! I don't know how many more chinchillas these people have plus I don't even know them...they are my sisters friends! If I keep her after the 30 days...can they play outside of the cages together?

 

[Cinder and Me]

No play time for boys and girls unless you want to make sure she gets pregnant. Not sure if anyone else thought of this, but if they kept the two chinchillas together, or in the same room, does she still need to quarantine? Just a thought...

 

[Maighen]

I didn't think of that....sometimes I type before I think....it only makes sense that they should be kept apart even during play time.

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

Personally I would not worry about quarantine. They came from the same place and it's only been a week. I would get the chin now so you know she has good nutrition and environment prior to delivering her kit/s. I would wait to rehome her until after she has her kit/s. However, if you are not comfortable caring for a pregnant chin then find someone who is and rehome there.

Caring for a pregnant chin requires nothing more than any other chin other than a kit safe cage. 99% of the time there are no birthing problems and mom takes care of everything. Perhaps you can rehome the male so you don't have the responsibility of caring for him too. Kudos to you for taking care of these chins.

 

[Megan]

Didn't see she was from the same home as your other male...in that case, and if its only been a week you should be fine as cathy said putting them in the same room.

If you can find someone experienced with chins, and females littering It may not hurt to let her go to them as they'll be a bit more prepared then you are. I don't want to really railroad this girl, but if there is no one up by you and we can find a way to get her to PA I will take her in..but its a long, stressful route for her to take

 

[Maighen]

Thank you...I don't know if I can rehome Bailey....I've grown so attached to him....he is such a sweetie! I realize that I can never put them together because I don't want any babies that I can avoid....how will I know she is healthy? And if this happens every week...what should I do then?

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

Try to find a rescue or some other way to rehome them.

 

[Maighen]

Didn't see she was from the same home as your other male...in that case, and if its only been a week you should be fine as cathy said putting them in the same room.

If you can find someone experienced with chins, and females littering It may not hurt to let her go to them as they'll be a bit more prepared then you are. I don't want to really railroad this girl, but if there is no one up by you and we can find a way to get her to PA I will take her in..but its a long, stressful route for her to take

Having her in the same room as Bailey will this upset him? Will it upset her? I'm going to do some research and see if I can find someone who is experienced. If not...I guess we could try railroading her.

 

[Maighen]

Try to find a rescue or some other way to rehome them.

Should I try to meet these people? Maybe I should have my sister take me to meet them and see where they are keeping these chinchillas. :hmm:

 

[addictedtochins]

Wasn't Bailey in fine shape? If he was and the female was then don't feel like you have to take her. It would be different if she was in terrible shape and you were rescuing her. Most of us here are chin addicts, I would be on cloud nine if I was bringing her home esp with kits! Take your time and think about it. One thing to consider is if she has a male kit you could possibly have a playmate for Bailey when he's weaned. And I'm sure if need be someone here will open there home to them. I don't blame you one bit for feeling anxious.

 

[Maighen]

When my sister told me about Bailey a week ago...she told me that the previous owner was tired of him and if no one wanted him then they would leave him to die. I don't want them to do that to her especially if she is pregnant.

 

[3CsMommy]

I'd be wondering why they suddenly don't want these chinchillas. Was Bailey's cagemate another male, or are they trying to pawn off his girlfriend on you too by saying his buddy "died"? I'd take her, but then again in my area a lot of people don't know squat about taking care of chins in the first place and most of the ones I've seen (even living with "breeders") aren't in great shape.

Could you offer to go pick her up and check things out a little? Then, if it's bad and you decide to take her home with you, someone on here with baby experience would probably either take her before the kits arrive or at the very least help you get ready for a litter.

 

[Maighen]

I'm not sure if his cage buddy was male or female. I called my sister and asked if I could go with her to pick her up and she said that would be fine! What should I look for in this home? Obviously clean water...clean cages....good food....but anything else?

 

[tunes]

I also would take the female, but I wouldn't want to keep moving her around, as it could cause her to be in distress. As Cathy said, most of the time delivery goes well, so I would prepare for the worst, and expect the best. Have stuff ready to go for her, then sit back and wait. Most of the time mom has the kits when you are nowhere nearby anyway! With all the litters I've had here, I've been lucky enough to see 2. Not for lack of trying, but I swear they wait until I leave then push them out fast before I come back again. Pffft.

If you really think you can't handle it, we could probably find someone in your neck of the woods that could help out. I'm geographically impaired, so I'd have to figure out who exactly is around you first, but the important thing is to get her away.

It's good that you are going to see this woman first hand. You need to ask her if there are going to be more "rehomes" (a.k.a dumps) before she's done, as you will try to line up some foster homes or adoption homes because you can only take X amount.