How To Rehome A Chinchilla
By Rehoming a pet chinchilla is one of the hardest decisions that a caretaker may encounter. Circumstances can arise which make keeping a pet impossible.
Additionally, it’s difficult to know the best ways to find a good home for your four-legged friend. My goal for this article is to provide some helpful information for anyone who is struggling to rehome their pet chinchilla.
How to rehome a chinchilla
Chinchillas are exotic pets and it is crucial to make sure that they are cared for by someone who understands their specific requirements. Fortunately, there are several options available when a caretaker is looking to rehome a pet chinchilla.
Summary of today’s article:
- Recommendations for rehoming a pet chinchilla
- How do I successfully interview people inquiring about my chinchilla?
- Would I make a good chinchilla rescuer/rehabber?
- Keep it simple
Recommendations For Rehoming A Pet Chinchilla
Finding a new home for your pet chinchilla can be a daunting task. Besides the emotional toll brought on by surrendering a pet, a good chinchilla caretaker wants to ensure that their pet will be placed in a loving home.
There are several options available to help narrow down the search and find a qualified person to adopt your pet.
Option #1. Reach Out To Responsible Pet Owners You Already Know
When rehoming any pet, it’s advisable to seek out friends or family members first. Taking this approach is useful as you can personally provide a good character reference.
People you know might have already met your chinchilla and may be excited at the prospect of adopting them.
Additionally, your chinchilla will feel more comfortable with someone familiar, ensuring that they have an easier adjustment period after being rehomed. If the situation that is causing you to rehome your chinchilla is only temporary, then transferring care to someone you already know is the best option.
A friend or family member will be more willing to help you out on a personal level and babysit your chinchilla until your circumstances change
Option #2. Find A Local Chinchilla Rescue
Chinchilla rescues are an invaluable resource! People who run chinchilla rescues have big hearts and have dedicated their lives to helping displaced pets find their forever homes.
Chinchilla rescues are a fantastic option since you can be confident that your pet will be in good hands. A chinchilla rescue will provide all of the care your pet needs and will also take on the task of vetting anyone who may want to adopt your chinchilla.
Chinchilla rescues are typically funded through donations and the downside is that they have limited space and resources. When searching for a chinchilla rescue, you may discover that there are none in your area or that the local organizations are full.
Although a nearby chinchilla rescue may not be able to physically care for your chinchilla, do not hesitate to ask them for other types of assistance.
If the reason you are surrendering your pet is that you feel overwhelmed, a chinchilla rescue will be more than happy to give you advice. Additionally, a chinchilla rescue may be able to put you on a waiting list or refer you to another organization that can accept your pet.
Option #3. Contact Your Chinchilla’s Veterinarian
Veterinarians meet many people, and chances are, your chinchilla’s vet may have a lead on a new home for your pet. Veterinarians are helpful in this situation as they may know of responsible pet owners who are looking for a chinchilla to adopt.
Your chinchilla’s vet can provide a great reference for anyone they suggest and will have first-hand experience with how these potential candidates interact and care for the pets they already own. Additionally, you will want to request copies of your chinchilla’s medical records so that your pet’s new caretaker has a clear understanding of their medical history.
Option #4. Advertise Through Pet Classifieds
Pet classifieds can help you find many potential candidates, however, there are a few things you should pay attention to. Classifieds reach a large audience, which means you may have a ton of applications to sort through.
Many of the people who look for a pet via classified ads are inexperienced or first-time pet owners. Be sure to conduct thorough interviews with any candidates to confirm that they are capable of providing a good home for your chinchilla.
Although you may be comfortable giving your chinchilla away to a good home, it is wise to charge an adoption fee. Someone who is getting a pet for free may not have anything to lose, making it difficult to know how serious they are about taking on the responsibility.
Someone who purchases an animal is making an investment, therefore you can potentially weed out those who may not have the best intentions. If the thought of accepting money for your chinchilla is bothersome, consider donating any funds received from the sale to a chinchilla rescue.
Pet classifieds are also home to nefarious sellers who engage in unlicensed breeding. This is important to note as you may find yourself getting interviewed by potential buyers.
Although it may feel off-putting to know that someone questions your motivations for rehoming your pet, it’s a good sign that the potential buyer is concerned about your chinchilla’s background and doesn’t want to support abusive enterprises.
Option #5. Join An Online Chinchilla Group
Online chinchilla groups are fantastic since they are made up entirely of people who are fans of chinchillas! By joining a chinchilla group, you are meeting a ton of people who already have an interest or experience with caring for a chinchilla.
Online groups are especially nice because you can use the search feature to see what types of posts and comments any potential candidate has shared in the past. It can be easy to spot a potentially good caretaker based on their knowledge and interactions with other members of the group.
People who have a demonstrated history of showing a genuine concern in chinchilla welfare are a wonderful find. Additionally, chinchilla enthusiasts who take the time to help others care for their pets are displaying a track record of patient and nurturing behavior.
How Do I Successfully Interview People Inquiring About My Chinchilla?
Interviewing the next caretaker of your chinchilla can be a daunting task, especially when you are speaking to someone who you have just met. The main objective is not to just find a place to send your chinchilla, but to confirm that your pet will be well cared for permanently.
When interviewing candidates, do not be afraid to ask personal questions. Ask if they can provide requirements such as adequate housing, air-conditioning, and medical care.
A person who has successfully owned a chinchilla in the past should be at the top of the list, however, do not discount those without this experience. Someone who shows a genuine interest and ability to take on the responsibility of caring for your chinchilla could be a perfect choice.
When interviewing people interested in your chinchilla, be on the lookout for red flags that indicate that they are not ready to own an exotic pet. Candidates should either be familiar with chinchilla care through previous experience or research.
A candidate who has not done their homework should not be considered. If a candidate exhibits a lack of knowledge regarding chinchilla care or scoffs at recommendations, you will want to take a hard pass. Disqualify any candidates who have a track record of surrendering pets as they may not be able or willing to provide care to your chinchilla long term.
Would I Make A Good Chinchilla Rescuer/Rehabber?
While the thought of being around a bunch of adorable chinchillas may sound appealing, be advised that any type of animal rescue is a huge undertaking. Most animal rescues are a labor of love and require a massive amount of dedication.
Animal rescues often rely on donations or are funded by the proprietors. Rescue operations can be money-losing endeavors and those who operate them must be prepared for the financial burden.
Besides the economic impact, operating an animal rescue can take a toll on mental health. Animals who are surrendered to rescues are often abused, neglected, or ill.
Rescue operators and volunteers must be able to maintain boundaries and not become too emotionally attached.
Operating an animal rescue is a full-time job and must be conducted with professionalism and unwavering dedication.
If you are considering taking on the responsibility of animal rescue/rehab, start the process by speaking with someone who is already in the field.
This will give you an understanding of the requirements and day to day expectations. You should also volunteer your time to get some hands-on experience.
By investing time as a volunteer, you will not only be gaining valuable insight but also supporting the needs of the rescue.
Keep It Simple
Surrendering a pet is never easy, but there are many ways to ensure that your chinchilla will go to a loving, stable home. Take the time to find the right person and be diligent while vetting candidates.
If the process of rehoming your chinchilla has inspired you to consider someday operating a rescue, use that enthusiasm to volunteer.
