From Shelter or Breeder

[wSwans]

Even though I've owned a chinchilla before I thought this still seemed like a good sub-forum to post in.

My pet chinchilla passed away recently, and now I'm looking into getting a pair of chins. I feel really on the fence about adopting from rescue or getting a pair of kits.

With other animals like dogs and cats, going to the shelter is the obvious thing to do. With chinchillas I'd have to travel much further to just meet a single pair. I also don't know much about socializing adult chinchillas that didn't get enough human interaction as kits. (My previous chin I raised from when he was 8 weeks old, and he was very comfortable with people.)


Color isn't very important to me and I can't imagine ever breeding animals, I just want animals that will make good and happy pets.

If anyone has any information that might help me with this decision, more questions I should ask myself, or more questions I should be prepared to ask from the rescue/shelter, I'd appreciate the help.

 

[javachin]

Since you don't want to breed, going to a shelter/rescue wouldn't be a bad idea. A lot of times they have bonded pairs already. They may also have younger, same-sex litter mates as well if you're really set on young animals. I guess it just depends on the timing of shelters and/or breeders around you and what they have at the time.

 

[Morganpanda]

There are some shelters who only specialize in small animals. We have one, and they're great. They rely on foster homes so they don't exactly have a huge facility where you can go to visit the Chinchillas, but rather a volunteer of some sort who could be closer to you than their general shelter location. It could be nice to just do a little research and see what you can come up with.

Breeders are also a great choice, as well. Quality breeders tend to rehome chins that they've adopted out before, but for whatever reason, the owners couldn't take care of them anymore. If they're closer or more resourceful, maybe looking into that could be an option, too? That way, you'll have the "shelter" like chins (perhaps a lower price, as well) with the help of a professional breeder.

Just some options.

 

[tunes]

Please don't pass up the chance to get an older pair. I absolutely realize that kits are cute and fuzzy and irresistible, but older chins can be just as loving if not more so. There is also no guarantee that just because you get chins as kits that they are going to be super bonded to you when they are older. Just like people, chin's have their own distinct personalities. You can bond wonderfully with older chins or younger chins. Whether you go through a breeder or a rescue, give an older pair a chance.

 

[EMSChins]

If you state your location someone may be able to refer you to a shelter/rescue in your area that re-homes chins. I know of at least two rescues that try to pair chins up before re-homing them.

 

[Tagna]

AND depending where you are some chin people are great at getting chins to people. I just had a couple chinchillas head from where I am near Toronto, ON Canada to southern Pennsylvania.

 

[wSwans]

I'm from Central Massachusetts, and with time to schedule it, could travel about 3 hours. (So most of New England, and a fair amount of New York would be within travel distance.)

I filled out an application with Forever Feisty in CT, and have been in communication with the MSPCA in Boston which has a pair (but they've been a bit slow replying, and what I've heard so far, the pair is very shy).

I have no objections to adopting older animals, I'd just want to make sure that they are already pretty comfortable with human interaction (even if they're slow to warm up to individuals).

 

[saphire]

I am with Tunes on this. Older pairs can be very friendly. On another note. Some adult chins may not bond with a person and bonds from the beginning with another. Again like humains, they hit it off with some and not with others.

Being patient is the key... This said, some will warm up and others no.

I also have two pairs that are looking for homes. Check my website.

 

[Basket_of_Chinchillas]

I agree with saphire, just because a chin is friendly with one person doesn't mean they will be auto friendly with you (although some are!). My chins were handled from birth but when they came home we had to start from scratch with getting them comfortable with human interaction.

 

[ChinChiq]

I got my chin from the local SPCA. They had no history on her past other than she had been surrendered due to "behavior". I took my chances with the behavior reason because I was in love at first sight. It only took her a couple of weeks to settle in, and now she is sweet, inquisitive, funny, energetic and a treasured member of our family.

 

[wSwans]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I'm going to to keep looking into chins from shelters/rescues/etc.