This is, by far, one of my favorite, most amusing, questions. People constantly ask something along the lines of, well, they're not ready to adopt for another few months, will the chinchilla / rabbit / guinea pig / etc. still be here [insert some month, at least 2-3 months minimum into the future]?
The simple answer -- I have no clue!
I've had animals listed for 6 months with no interest... and then in the same day, I'll get three emails from serious adopters wanting to take the animal home. Likewise, I've had animals with all sorts of interest.... first person falls through, all the others have fallen off the face of the earth by that point, and magically, then no one is interested, and the animal sits here for 6 months. I've had months where there's four adoptions all month, and then weekends where I'll adopt out 15 animals in two days! There's no real rhyme or reason to it. I can tell you when the busier times typically are... but they vary, and this year, we didn't have our busy spring season, so even that just depends. I mean, heck, my house could burn down tomorrow (heaven forbid), and then none of the animals will be available as of right then. The thing is... there's no way to know!
Sure, for some animals, I can tell people what I think. For example, any white chinchilla, whether a baby or adult... unless it's a serious sprayer, has an attitude problem, or is a biter, it's highly adoptable. When I post it, it won't likely be here all that long. For other animals, not so much. Beiges are harder to find homes for,.. unless they have the ear freckles (which most breeders hate... but pet people love... go figure)...but in general... they will be here longer. Standard greys that aren't babies tend to stick around, unless they're super friendly. Senior animals of any type tend to stick around. But of course, there's exceptions to all of this. I've had some whites that hang around. I've had some seniors that fly out of here, because someone was waiting in the wings, watching the website, just biting at the bit, waiting for a senior to be posted. So, I may be able to give you an idea... but in general, people asking about your average aged animal... it's anyone's guess.
In situations like this, I tell people, since we don't hold animals that long, maybe they should check back when they're closer to adopting, and pick out an animal then. After all, if they want a young animal, and they're looking at a 2 month old now (June), but can't adopt until October....it's going to be 6 months by the time they adopt. To me, that's still plenty young, but if they want a 2 month old... it would definitely have aged / gotten older in the meantime!
If it was me, I suppose I wouldn't even be looking at animals until I was more ready to bring them home, as if you do find the animal of your dreams... most breeders / rescues will not even consider hanging onto them until next week, much less a few months. I can't tell you how many dog breeders there are that I've seen list, oh the puppy must be picked up by 9 weeks old, or else the new owner will incur a certain amount for boarding every week. While I definitely understand the reasoning and concept behind this... that's reality. If you can't get the animal now... I guess I just don't even understand why you are looking now! Maybe to find places to get the animal, but I wouldn't be looking at specific animals, myself anyway. Everyone's different.
I wonder, sometimes, if people think I'm trying to be difficult when I answer these people and tell them I don't know, and explain that adoption times vary, and sometimes the animals find their new homes quickly, and sometimes not... but I honestly don't mean it to be like that. For me... I just don't know. No one does. I wish I could give a better answer... but I suppose, the best way to put it... if they are meant to have that specific animal.. it will still be here, when they are ready.
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