Possible Rehoming

[Jenn]

Does this lady live close enough to you that she can come over for several visits before you make up your mind? That way you can see over a period of time how the two of them interact and whether Buttons begins to warm up to her or not. I don't think you can learn enough in one visit, especially when this is such an important decision. If, after several visits, you find that she is the right lady for Buttons, then can you also do several home visits as well to ensure that he has made a smooth transition and that he is adjusting well? Obviously you love him and you want him to be happy and well and you need to think what's best for him and not necessarily what's best for you or this other lady.

If it turns out that Buttons would not warm up and thrive with this lady, I'm sure that you can help her find another chin with less traumatic history that she would do well with. It sounds like she is a great lady who would love and spoil a chin, but if she doesn't have a lot of experience with chins, maybe she should start with a chin without so much "emotional baggage".

You can only get opinions here, that will go both ways, you have to make the final decision and only you will know what the right answer is. I'm sure what ever decision you make will be the right decision for Buttons.

 

[Megan]

Any reputable rescue knows that sometimes an animal just does not fit with someone. No matter how hard we try, sometimes it is not a perfect match. Hense why a lot of dog rescues do "foster to adopt" programs, to make sure the animal is a perfect fit.

When I first got into chinchillas I felt you bought it, you kept it no matter what. Moose changed my mind on that. He was cranky, he hated me. I kept him--because i felt I should. One day someone came to look at chins. Moose LOVED her. I never saw that chin run to the cage door, and CUDDLE with someone for seconds, let alone almost the half hour he spent with her! needless to say, Moose went home with her.

I think instead of publically posted on the forum, it should have been addressed with the person you adopted this chin. If you signed a contract, you need to make sure you check with hte person who you adopted it from...

But sometimes, and we need to see this--it isn't a perfect fit, and the animal COULD be happier with someone else. Moose was! Because she is looking at the greater good, and may have found a perfect fit for this chin..how is that makingh er a bad owner? if this chin was adopted to the OP, what did the cotnracts say? was there a no rehoming in the contract? Rescues should be adopted out w/ contracts in tact.

I think there is a huge grey area, and it needs to be kept between the three people involved. The OP, Chantel, and the person who wants this chin

 

[Smiley1]

Any reputable rescue knows that sometimes an animal just does not fit with someone. No matter how hard we try, sometimes it is not a perfect match. Hense why a lot of dog rescues do "foster to adopt" programs, to make sure the animal is a perfect fit.

When I first got into chinchillas I felt you bought it, you kept it no matter what. Moose changed my mind on that. He was cranky, he hated me. I kept him--because i felt I should. One day someone came to look at chins. Moose LOVED her. I never saw that chin run to the cage door, and CUDDLE with someone for seconds, let alone almost the half hour he spent with her! needless to say, Moose went home with her.

I think instead of publically posted on the forum, it should have been addressed with the person you adopted this chin. If you signed a contract, you need to make sure you check with hte person who you adopted it from...

But sometimes, and we need to see this--it isn't a perfect fit, and the animal COULD be happier with someone else. Moose was! Because she is looking at the greater good, and may have found a perfect fit for this chin..how is that makingh er a bad owner? if this chin was adopted to the OP, what did the cotnracts say? was there a no rehoming in the contract? Rescues should be adopted out w/ contracts in tact.

I think there is a huge grey area, and it needs to be kept between the three people involved. The OP, Chantel, and the person who wants this chin

Exactly the point I was making. Some people/Animals just thrive better in different situations. You HAVE to do what right for them....otherwise who are you really helping.

 

[eroomlorac]

Perhaps the misunderstandings and upset could have been avoided by handling this via pm, rather than asking for opinions in open forum? That way, any argument could have been handled without public hard feelings.

I think Essentia should have contacted Chantel via pm and discussed this privately, and Chantel may be reading more into this than there is.

Exactly what I was thinking. This should have been private between Essentia and Chantel.

 

[Chinniechantel]

Exactly what I was thinking. This should have been private between Essentia and Chantel.

Yeah, this just sucks that I hear it like this, and now I am looking like the bad guy. I am sensitive about it, because I want the best for him, and ultimetly that was my responsibility and I feel like I failed him,. and now I am not in control of the situation and can only do so much. My idea of a rescue I guess is just different than hers. I did not give Buttons to her to rehome, and I had no idea she would ever consider it, no matter how good a fit he was or not. It is my mistake.

So, hopefully I can be involved in the process of finding him a new home. I truly hope this is the last home for him.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

She honestly just sounds like she's exactly what he needs which is why I'm even considering it. I haven't told her yet that I may have a chinchilla for her. I wanted to come here and talk it out first.

You would not have told that lady about him if you didn't already have the thought of rehoming him.

She has not mentioned the availability of Buttons or any chinchilla for that matter yet. The arguements about the expendability of the animals and pets are not valid here if you take the time to read the OPs posts. She is clearly seeing a puzzle piece possibly fit in a different puzzle.

I agree with Cory and Peggy that the real mistake here is simply not contacting Chantel directly but I think Essentia is being unfairly portrayed by people who are trying to classify her as a flippant owner. I can imagine that being used to rehoming rescues, when she is contacted by a potential owner that certain chins come to mind in talking with them. It was only natural behavior that Buttons might spring to mind.

I understand that rescuing Buttons must have been traumatic for you and you are protective of him Chantel, but if you have trusted his care to Essentia in the first place, then perhaps you could trust her instinct that this may be a better fit for him? Essentia, do you really feel that only Buttons could be right for this woman? Perhaps another rescue who hasn't been through so much trauma already might be just as good of a fit for her?:thinking:

 

[Chinniechantel]

She took Buttons as a pet, not as a rescue animal for rehoming. I am the rescue, I have never heard anything about her being a rescue until now. That is why I am upset, she never once said she even considered to rehome him ever, she said he was getting more friendly just a few days ago, and finally adjusting to her, and now I see this thread! I wish she would have come to me first, and asked if I wanted him back before trying to rehome him.

 

[CritterMom]

Any reputable rescue knows that sometimes an animal just does not fit with someone. No matter how hard we try, sometimes it is not a perfect match. Hense why a lot of dog rescues do "foster to adopt" programs, to make sure the animal is a perfect fit.

When I first got into chinchillas I felt you bought it, you kept it no matter what. Moose changed my mind on that. He was cranky, he hated me. I kept him--because i felt I should. One day someone came to look at chins. Moose LOVED her. I never saw that chin run to the cage door, and CUDDLE with someone for seconds, let alone almost the half hour he spent with her! needless to say, Moose went home with her.

I think instead of publically posted on the forum, it should have been addressed with the person you adopted this chin. If you signed a contract, you need to make sure you check with hte person who you adopted it from...

But sometimes, and we need to see this--it isn't a perfect fit, and the animal COULD be happier with someone else. Moose was! Because she is looking at the greater good, and may have found a perfect fit for this chin..how is that makingh er a bad owner? if this chin was adopted to the OP, what did the cotnracts say? was there a no rehoming in the contract? Rescues should be adopted out w/ contracts in tact.

I think there is a huge grey area, and it needs to be kept between the three people involved. The OP, Chantel, and the person who wants this chin

I have come across several hard to deal with chins over the past few years. Some I could calm down quickly, and some that took over a year. I have one right now that, no matter what, I cannot get him to like me. I have had him caged with one of my females for a few months now. This seemed to not really help very much, when I have had had a lot of success with pairing chins and it helping. I got him to go into my breeding herd, and I was quite aware that he does not get along with other males. I have tried giving him his own space, but that made it worse. I returned him back to his cage mate. Although I am determined to win him over, I have been weighing the option that he is just not happy here. Of course I will continue to try. Despite his attitude problems, I really love him to death. If in the end I feel that he might be happier somewhere else, then hands down I will do whatever will make him happiest.

That being said, she knows his personality and she is working with him. It seems that she has the chins best interest at heart. She hasn't even mentioned anything to this woman about Buttons in particular. The OP should see what the best option for everyone (chinnie included) and go from there.

 

[LannyCoop]

I know I havent been here very long, but I just felt the need to comment on here
and share my story... maybe it will help...or not.. but here it goes

I was with my friend, going to look for cats for her to adopt, when my Kiefer was just
sitting in his cage, and I looked at him and just knew I would take him home, he came right up to me in his cage and wasnt scared at all. Now the people were running a cat rescue and had no intentions of ever giving him up as they told me they never thought anyone would want him, but they just knew that we were a right fit. And I guess its a bit different as he wasn't one of there pets, and he was a rescue that in one way or another did need a new home, however, sometimes if a animal is just a fit, then theres nothing else left.

Needless to say, I do agree that maybe this was handled in the wrong way, but Essentia was just looking for advice or a situtation that had not really progressed into anything perminate, and I agree she never did want to get rid of Buttons, and maybe this lady would be just what he needs.. I also agree with letting the lady come and visit, see how he reacts and then making a decision, because she might also decide he is not the right fit, and its better to know now before it is to late. right?

Also I feel bad for Essentia for anyone questioning her love or want for her Buttons, I mean its not a matter of her wanting him. I truly believe is just thinking of his best interests, and is being misunderstood because its not like she wants to rehome him and if this lady doesnt work out then she would try again, I believe this is just a one time maybe senario..

and Chantel i am sorry you werent spoken to first and this is how you found out as that is not fair to you...

I just hope this whole things works out, and sorry if this was not my place to comment on.

 

[Essentia]

Once again, no one, except me and Chantel and the rest of you even know of Buttons existence. She does not know about him, and I hadn't ever thought of rehoming him until she contacted me. Chantel, he IS getting friendlier which is why he even came to mind. He honestly just sounded perfect for her which is absolute only reason he was thought of over the other rescues I have. I love Buttons more than you know. I honestly had his best in mind, not mine. He is staying with me because I see how much this hurts you and because is IS loved and cared for. He has a furever home with me. This was never ever about me, which is what everyone isn't seeing. This was just a thought and I wanted to see what others thought, counting Chantel. This was never something that was a definite or even something that was most likely going to happen which is why I didn't bring it to Chantel directly and which is why I wanted EVERYONE'S opinion on the situation.

I had no idea this would blow up like this and how all of a sudden I was going to be a bad owner who doesn't care about her animals and about how I should now stop being a rescue. That's just completely and utterly unfair and stabs me right where it hurts. I do rescue because I CARE AND LOVE chinchillas. Any rescue I take in is absolutely not a replacement for any other chinchilla I already have or am considering adopting out.

For anyone to say I brought Jack home as a replacement is absolutely cruel. I drove 3 hours yesterday to bring Jack home before I had to go to work. I work nights and I got absolutely no sleep before work and I didn't care because he NEEDED a home. I almost got let go from my job 2 weeks ago because I had to leave for a sick chinchilla who needed to go to the vet, yet I left anyway knowing I didn't have time to argue with my boss over it because I knew the chinchilla needed care NOW. While this is not more than anyone else on here would do, someone who didn't care about their animals definitely wouldn't have risked that.

I am sorry I didn't just contact Chantel directly, but this was never set in stone and was at the absolute most just a thought that I wanted everyone's opinions on. I thank you to the people who gave their opinions, harsh or not.

I don't want to just keep repeating what I said earlier so I am going to end this post with saying I absolutely love and want Buttons to be the happiest chin possible. That's all I ever wanted and that's all I was thinking when I made this thread. If that makes me a bad owner who shouldn't be doing rescue, fine. Unfortunately it isn't going to stop me from taking in chinchillas who are in desperate need of a better life. I love what I do and I love all of the animals I take in, even if I don't have them long. I have only ever wanted what's best for them, and that won't change.

 

[Essentia]

I missed the time to edit so let me add one more thing, that last part was NOT about Buttons but about the rescues I take in. After reading that I wanted to make that more clear.

 

[alli713]

I think that I did read that he is getting better over time with you right? There was a lot said in this thread, so hopefully I did actually read that somewhere lol.
If he is doing well in your care, I would be inclined to keep him. I hope to open a rescue some day and I know that I would not give one of my own chins up to someone. This is just me, since you wanted opinions

 

[Essentia]

He has gotten better, yes. I just thought he would get even better with someone who had more time to spoil him and love on him and in turn make her a happier person as well. That was the entire thought. Hearing the opinions of others though has made me think things through (which was the goal of this thread in the first place). I am not going to even tell her about him. I am going to invite her over to see the other 3 rescues I have and to see if any of them would be a good fit.

 

[alpayton]

I think it's time that this was taken to PM between the parties involved. Good luck in sorting this out.