Rehome or not?

[hyperblue8]

I cannot decide whether I should re-home my chin or not, In september I will be going to university. The initial plan was that he would just stay at home with the rest of the family, They are happy to feed him and give him attention but dont have the time to let him out of his cage for a couple of hours every evening and supervise him. The problem I have is that I will only be able to get home once or twice a week as the university is about 40 miles away, which means that he will only get a run once or twice a week....

 

[Dragonflye]

If your family is willing to help take care of him, I would keep him. Getting out of the cage for a run once or twice per week will be fine. While it's great to let them out every night, chins will be just fine in their cages as long as they get a bit of lovin' and have some toys or chews in the cage.

 

[Dreamlite]

Don't let play time determine if he stays or goes. Many chins don't get playtime and have happy lives. If he doesn't have a wheel I would get him on before you leave. But as long as your parents are ok with feeding and such I would keep him.

 

[tunes]

He might pout for a bit in the beginning, but he'll be fine without constant out of cage time. Many of us never give it and our chins are happy and healthy. You will be out of University in time and then you'll be able to give him more out of cage time and attention.

 

[xkatxrinax]

I agree with all the above. rehoming chins can be very stressful to them as well, more stressful than not being let out everyday. There are some weeks if i'm very busy and my partner is busy and we don't have time to let ours out everyday like they're used to and it doesn't affect them badly, just as long as they have lots of toys and affection

 

[javachin]

He'll be fine with less play time. Keep him!

 

[mknoblich1]

I agree with what has already been said. If your family is willing to look after him at least you know he will be cared for properly. Who knows how he would be treated if you re homed him? I'm curious to know what his reaction will be the first time you come home to visit him.

 

[chinsNdobermans]

I tend to get frustrated when I see people rehoming their chinchillas because they don't have the time to let them out and interact with them. Chinchillas can be perfectly happy without those things! If they have a big cage, lots of toys, and affection when it's available, they can live a happy life.

Keep him!

 

[Zoaea]

I left my 2 girls with family when I moved at first for school, it was only to be until it was cool enough to ship them. They both died before a month had passed because they were not cared for like I had expressed. I know in this example it was family, but it just shows that if you rehome an animal, that new care taker will do what ever they want and your beloved pet can suffer for it. I would leave him with your family, and do the things other posters have suggested. In fact them not taking him out to play is safer for him if they don't know what they are doing. The rule my family broke that caused my girls to die was to not let them run around the house, as they had dogs...

My current chinnies only get 1-2 days were they get play time out of the cage and they don't notice the lack. Also, if there is a day when you get housing while at school where you can have pets you can bring them with you. Dorm life is over rated and over priced at least in America. =P

 

[saphire]

I am with everyone! Keep them!!
They will do perfectly fine.