Kit from a breeder or a adult chinchilla from a rescue?

[1_animal_@_a_time]

So im going to get a least one chinchilla in a couple months. And i found a lady that breeds and rescues chins. Im going to get a chin from her in the near future. But i was wondering what would be better. Getting a kit, or a rescue chinchilla? And i am a first time owner.

Im getting the chin from http://www.furrylovables.com/
Because it is a good deal that you get some supplies for your new friend.
Also should i get one or two? I am going to get the 2 story Ferret Nation cage. And I know that cage can have more than one chin in it. I think I will get males, just because of my personal perference.

So to state my questions again:
Should i get a kit from a breeder or a adult chin from a rescue?
I am a first time owner so what would be better?
Should i get one or two?
And what are some cute names for male chinchillas?

 

[starleomach]

Should i get a kit from a breeder or a adult chin from a rescue?

this is entirely up to you. There are pros and cons with each.

I am a first time owner so what would be better?

meet them see who has a personality you like best

Should i get one or two?

This depends on the chinchilla and your lifestyle. I like having everyone have a buddy but sometimes they do better alone

And what are some cute names for male chinchillas?

the right name will come to you

 

[Tagna]

You are going to find people who have a lot of different opinions on that one.

For myself, I personally can't help but want to provide a home for a chin that needs it. My first two girls, a bonded pair, came from a chinchilla rescue. All the rest have come off of internet ads by people that had either gotten tired of them or had an impulse buy at a pet store.

They all deserve a home and I'm happy to give them one where they will be spoiled rotten.

As much as I would love to go to a breeder and pick the mutation and know the family history, I'm a sucker for those chins that are in bad conditions and need a home. I will always take in the unwanted animals. All of my pets are either from a shelter or a rehoming situation.

That said, I've had to put in a lot of time with my chins to help them adjust. It's still a work in progress with a few of them though. It takes a lot of patience and time with some of the rescues. There is also the unknown factor as I have no clue what sort of illnesses could be in their family.

I wouldn't trade my band of "rejects" though (my own term in jest!). They are my babies and every chin deserves a home.

 

[feistychins]

Well of course I'm bias and would say you should adopt a rescue. There are so many homeless chins that are so sweet and just looking for a loving forever home.

A single chin is wonderful, but it is always great to get a bonded pair so they can snuggle and have another chin to play with.

Name choices are endless depending on your chins personality and your personal preference.

 

[jess_w]

If I were you I would just ask if you can go down there and meet the chins they have for sale. You will probably end up having a favourite which might be a rescue or a little kit!

I have 2 male chinchillas which both came from breeders. At first I just got one but then I felt like he needed a friend so I got another and introduced them. I wanted to rescue a chin, but the reason I didn't was because I know I would struggle to afford it if something went really wrong with him, which is more likely in a rescue because you don't know the history. Of course I would somehow find a way if mine were to become ill, but I would rather there was a lower chance of that happening. So yeah - unfortunately money is an issue sometimes! : (

By the way, most people will give you some supplies like food, dust etc when they sell you a chin so I wouldn't go with this place just on that basis. It does look like a very knowledgable breeder though : ) I think this is reflected in the price she's charging for her chins! They're very expensive compared to mine, but I am from the UK so maybe they are cheaper over here? I don't know. I got both of mine young from knowledgable breeders, and they were the equivalent of $65 (light ebony) and $99 (wilson white), so that may be something to think about.

Should you get one or two? It's up to you really! I've found that since I introduced my new chin to my old one, he's been a bit less friendly around me. He doesn't really like being stroked any more whereas before he loved it under his chin and on his belly. So it is maybe true that if you get one he will bond to you better, but some people think it's cruel to just keep one as they're very sociable animals. It depends how much time you are going to spend with them really!

Good luck whatever you decide =D

 

[tunes]

I am a breeder and I would tell you to go to a rescue. I have room in my home for what I breed, and will make more room if I need too (as will most breeders). I'm just as happy to see someone get their chins from a rescue.

 

[1_animal_@_a_time]

Actually i am probably not going to get a chin from furrylovables. I am looking more into other breeders, and see the different chins and qualities of them.:thumbsup:

 

[Tillygizmo]

hmph. rescues are so rewarding. There are only so many people who have the ability to rescue chins (time, money, etc) and almost all of them will tell you they could EASILY get filled to capacity with all the chins that are neglected abused or just given up for different reasons. Although I understand the agenda of responsible breeders who want to have quality healthy chins around, I think we first need to think about giving homes to chins that need them because of the extremely high volumes of those who do and perhaps refrain from making more ..... just my opinion of course and everyone is entitled.

I am sort of rooting for you changing your mind : /

 

[starleomach]

Never hurts to shop around a bit. There are great breeders in IL, as well as often rescues. The most important thing is to take your time and find the chinchilla that is right for you

 

[Laurie]

The 2 story ferret nation actually has enough room for 4 chins! I have a 2 and 3 story ferret nation and each single story houses a bonded pair. If you are getting males make sure the breeder show you how to do hair ring checks, this is something you'll have to check on with boys.
Small chins are cute, but full grown chins IMO are even cuter! Rescuing an animal is never a bad thing!
As far as names go my only request would be (as and Elvis fan) please don't name your chin Elvis! I don't like it when people name their pets after The King LOL!
I prefer human names for my chins, but some people don't. I think once you have him or them names will just come to you.
Welcome to the forum where you will find the best advice anywhere!

 

[swilborg]

I guess it's a matter of personal preference, but I have 2 girls I found on Craigslist. They weren't very well taken care of. But they look great now, and after 8 months have finally warmed up to me a bit. I'm thrilled to have given them a good home, wouldn't trade them for the world:thumbsup:
Sue

 

[VolunteerChin22]

I vote to get two because how could anyone decide on just one color One thing to think of is that if you do get more than one you need to consider the intro process if the chins are not already bonded. Sometimes it can be easier to have two if they are already bonded or from the same litter. Of course, any chins regardless of how long they have been together may one day decide they hate each other and have to be seperated. I also find that my males are more sociable than my females, but that's just my chins.

I think names are much easier after you watch a chin for a few days...

 

[hkkjstwcl]

:idea:Hy, I am new to chinchillas, too. I was going to adopt a pure white male with black eyes from Alexandria Animal Shelter, VA and went to have a look at him. But, he must go with his pal, (also white male), and they both were neutered. I wanted an option for my girls to breed later. They were big, and I didn't know how to hold them. They intimidated me a little. Since I was new to chinchillas, small babies were easier for me to get used to, too.

 

[saphire]

I agree with Tunes, I am a hobbie breeder and I am not out to sale at all cost.. so I am as happy to see a chin find a good home wether it be from me or a rescue.

:idea:Hy, I am new to chinchillas, too. I was going to adopt a pure white male with black eyes from Alexandria Animal Shelter, VA and went to have a look at him. But, he must go with his pal, (also white male), and they both were neutered. I wanted an option for my girls to breed later. They were big, and I didn't know how to hold them. They intimidated me a little. Since I was new to chinchillas, small babies were easier for me to get used to, too.

Breeding is a serious commitment to your animals... if you breed without knowing it's background, you are certainly taking the GRAND risk of messing the kits health and genetics (cause you don't know the parents story) and possibly loosing the mother.
So, I believe you care and want the best of chances for you animals to have a long healthy life, I would go to a reputable breeder to get breeding pairs with the knowlegde of background and pedigree.
So this being said, I am pleading and begging you to NOT to breed any animals (rescue or not) which you have no idea of their background... for I as a responsable breeder am working my butt off to offer health and quality to people and so are many other responsable breeders. It is hard work and expensive... so to have people not take into consideration the background of an animal before breeding it is outright irresponsable and TOTALLY not fair to the bredding animal and their kits... so this being said I am sure you will make the right choice.

 

[AZChins]

I prefer to find homes for rescues, too. Actually, I would rather find a home for a chin needing one than sell my own babies and make some money, which normally we desperately need. Breeding really does come second here over the rescues. The more rescues that come in, the less chins I will breed. Babies are exceptionally easy to find homes for much of the time. No one wants two year old to ten year old standard grey petstore chins when the babies are right there.

Rescue chins usually make better pets than pampered babies I have noticed. It's because a neglected chin appreciates each and every thing that is done for it. New toys are celebrated, dust baths are taken in absolute ecstasy and new food is savored...rescues love you for everything you do for them. Spoiled babies that have always been cared for don't really appreciate anything - they pout if they don't get their way, they sometimes will refuse to play with toys that aren't up to their standards, go for a few weeks without a dust bath just to get your reaction, do strange things that make you think they are nuts because they are trying to totally scam you, etc, etc.

Baby chins are great, they're fun for a few months...but they do grow up in a short time. Taking in an adult rescue sort of bypasses that, but it's okay. There are some rescues that are pretty screwed up from being ignored too long or haven't been cared for - the vast majority end up being in good health and can be salvaged.

Breeding chins from a shelter is a little wrong. I would never recommend doing that! No matter what the chins are like there is a risk of them passing on a genetic problem to babies or coming down with it later on themselves. A breeding chin should have a decent pedigree from experienced breeders, who know what they are doing. People do whatever they want, no one seems to ever listen to me...but breeding is a whole different thing. It isn't always fun, things go horribly wrong at times - it becomes expensive and heartbreaking. Unless you are willing to spend $1000 on a c-section and give up a lot of sleep, don't do it.

 

[rcr]

I just wanted to add that its not always easy to determine the personality of a kit. They can change quite a bit as they mature, and an otherwise friendly 3 month old can end up being dominant and not play nice with others as the hormones kick in.

 

[AZChins]

YES! That is very true. A perfect, sweet little kit can turn into a raging little bully at six months when he realizes that, hey, he's a male. Females seem to be easier with understanding their personalities, males, on the other hand, have that raging hormone issue that can make them nuts for a few months during puberty.

 

[Essentia]

I am a huge pusher of adopting from a rescue, but that would be because I run a rescue. I would say it is completely up to you. Like any other animal you never really know what their personality will be when they are an adult. With rescues, I know most of us hold on to the chinnie for at least a few months to gain a perspective on their personality.

I have chins from both side though. I have kept several of the rescues I have taken in, and I have two boys from a breeder.

 

[Brittney]

My 2 chins are rescue boys. Well, Bryson is a Petco chin, but I still consider that to be a rescue. He is sweet as can be and has an amazing personality. Ande I rescued a few weeks ago from a very bad situation. Only having him home for a few days and a little TLC has turned him around completely. I say go with a rescue, they are amazing. All of my pets are rescues. I could never get an animal that wasn't a rescue, they are much more deserving of a better life.

 

[logsdonj2]

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. I couldn't decide on a kit or a rescue. My heart told me to go for a rescue, but getting an animal with an unknown history scared me, especially since emergency vets bills can be very expensive. After looking around at different rescues and other situations I found my two girls. They are a mother and daughter pair who's original owner didn't have the time for anymore ( I also had to get them out of their wire bottom cage with no liners, dust houses in the cage and no chew toys along with an unhealthy diet of fiesta max and apples) I went to meet them and their personality won me over. Its defiantly how you click with the personality of an animal and how that animal clicks with you. It can take a bit of time for rescues to bond with you, mine did not love me for taking away their junk food and changing cage by taking out the plastics and junk at first, but they do love me now. The mother loves to be picked up and have her ears rubbed and nose to eyes gently rubbed, while the daughter loves to chill on my shoulders and ride on me. I was even stressed about an exam last week and they would keep checking on me and the daughter kept running her tiny hands through my hair all day and eventually looked me square in the eye, put her hands on my nose and kissed\ licked my eyebrow. It was completely unexpected but it cracked me up and melted my heart at the same time, tell me that's not love there. Anyway, with the work I put in, it feels much more rewarding to me that I'm giving my girls a much healthier and overall happier life then what they had. But that's my happy rescue/ owner surrender story, everyone is different. As mentioned by others the personality should be the bigger consideration when deciding on a chin. I hope you find a chin and bond to a life long friend. Best of luck. : )