Jack went to his new home today...

[Essentia]

and I am sad. I know she will take care of him (SHE BETTER), but the lack of him being in my living room sucks. Does it get easier to rescue, and adopt out, after you have done it for awhile?

Also, because this is the very first chinchilla I have adopted out, I do have a few questions. On my contract it says that if they ever need to rehome him they are required to give him back to me. How do I enforce this if it happens? I am so afraid I will find him on Craigslist for sale. I did a home inspection, she showed me the cage they got and the ledges they built, and she had definitely studied up on chinchilla care. I gave her absolutely everything she needs for him for at least 2 months. She genuinely seemed like a great person.

But I'm still stuck on the what if...

 

[MyFuzzies]

I think the "what ifs" will always be in the back of your mind. You can usually tell alot about people when talking to them...you get a vibe. In doing the home inspection and seeing for yourself how he will live should hopefully put those "what ifs" at ease a little. I would maintain contact with them for a while just to keep checking up on him. It has to be HARD to take them in, get attached, then rehome them...I would be sad too

 

[feistychins]

It took me over a year before I could do my first adoption. I was so nervous to trust anyone. Now I've had my rescue for over 5 years and yes it does get easier. I still get choked up the night before the adoption when I spend time with the chin and you will miss the ones you adopt out, but knowing they are going to great homes will make you feel so happy for them. MYFuzzies is right about getting vibes and a gut instinct with people. I have met some really wonderful people who I have adopted to.

I keep in contact with the new chin parents too and have become good friends with most of them. Even four years later I have people still email me on a regular basis about the chins they adopted from me. I require that people have to surrender the chin back to us if things should not work out for any reason. I had someone move because of a job loss and they could not have pets in their new place and they did get back in touch with me to take the chin. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions when interviewing someone. People who really want to adopt a rescue and are sincere have no problem talking to you.

 

[Jenn]

I can't speak from experience, but I can offer you my opinion. For me, it would not get any easier to adopt out because I just get too close to my animal companions. There are people who can do it, and it's great to have people out there who will rescue and then rehome, I just personally am not able to let go. But if you are able to keep in contact with Jack's new owner that should help you feel better about rehoming him. His new owners should understand and appreciate your concern - a part of being a good pet owner.

 

[Essentia]

I told her before she took him that I would be emailing/calling her soon to see how he is doing and she seemed pleased with that. That's always a good sign.

 

[blacksettingsun]

It does get easier but it never becomes easy unfortunately. I did rescue for four years and I really loved it. I still do rescue, I suppose, but only in emergent and dire circumstances. The only way I found to make it easier was making sure that the chin was placed in the best possible home. Doing in-home visits was the most important thing for me, and although I've lost touch with several adoptive families, the ones I have kept up with are wonderful. I can drop by anytime and see the chins (which was actually part of the adoption contract), and they have always been extremely well-cared for.

Kudos for doing rescue...it is so fulfilling!

 

[SunshineChins]

I actually enjoy seeing my chins go to their new home. I get attached but I find great joy in finding them the best possible forever home. I make sure all new owners get plenty of info from me, and if possible purchase their food and supplies that they need. That keeps us all in touch and I can keep tabs on what is going on with them.

As far as actually enforcing them to re-surrender the chin back I am not sure what the legal aspect of that is. Chantel might be the one to ask with that regard. Thankfully I have not had that happen yet (that I know of). I do tend to keep an eye out on craigslist and kijiji for any of my rescue chins.

 

[feistychins]

Having a really well written final contract is important and will give you some peace of mind. My paperwork for adoptions is very specific so there is no doubt what I expect from people and the care they need to provide for the chin. It is also a legal and binding contract and I make sure the new parent understands this before they sign it.

I always bring the chin to their new home for the final adoption too. That way you can be sure of a safe cage and proper supplies. Most people have a lot of last minute questions also.

Keep one thing in mind, as difficult as it is to let a chin go, there will always be another chin that is not wanted or being cared for and needs someone like you to take him in. To give him lots of love and find him a great new forever home with someone who does want him. For the next chin you rescue, you will help to change his/her life for the better.

 

[Essentia]

The problem with a "legal & binding" contract is just a bunch of words. From what I have been told on another forum at least.

Unless you want to sue in superior court, you can't sue for specific performance in lesser courts such as small claimes, so IMO the contract does not mean anything.

You would need a contract such as this:

http://www.gardonline.org/GARD_Adoption_Contract.pdf

Where it specifies that the adoptor would pay all legal fees if the contract would need to be enforced, then you could sue in superior court for specific performance-the recovery of the adopted pet. BUT, if the adoptor has diddly squat, you could get the shaft in lawyer bills and since you cannot sue in superior court without a lawyer, the recovery can become expensive.

So let me make sure with you lovely people. You can only get your chin back (if it isn't willingly surrendered back to you) if you get a lawyer and you go to superior court? You can't do anything in small claims court? Has anyone ever gone through this?

 

[Essentia]

Keep one thing in mind, as difficult as it is to let a chin go, there will always be another chin that is not wanted or being cared for and needs someone like you to take him in. To give him lots of love and find him a great new forever home with someone who does want him. For the next chin you rescue, you will help to change his/her life for the better.

I already have another coming in tonight that I am picking up, so I do completely understand that. I feel better about it today, not so much moping.

 

[blacksettingsun]

In my experience, just threatening to take someone to court has been enough. I actually had a/my lawyer call someone once to explain that the situation was serious and they would be in court if they didn't willingly surrender the chin.

 

[Essentia]

My uncle is a lawyer, so I have no doubt he would help me if I needed it.

Thanks!

 

[TillyChinchilla]

Unfortunately because chins are "higher value" animals than say, guinea pigs or rabbits - I'd say people would be more likely to try and re-home then on their own. I've adopted out a couple pets - and constant communication is key with adopters.

Andrea's paperwork is very thorough! I signed paperwork with her when I passed on a standard male to her.

Andrea - do you still have "Chile" the standard male chewer you picked up in Norwich with you?

 

[feistychins]

He was adopted and stopped chewing his fur! He was a sweetheart.