So, wanted to do a quick post today about people surrendering chinchillas. Well, any animals for that matter.
Well, let me back up. In order to surrender an animal to the rescue, it's as simple as reaching out, getting on our waiting list if needed (and there almost always is a list), and then when we have room, bringing it in. While we appreciate people bringing in stuff with their chinchilla, some people do and some people don't, but the only thing we officially ask for is for the previous owner to bring some food that the chinchilla was eating.
Interestingly enough, a lot of people seem to run out of food and then decide they need to bring their chin in. I kind of wonder if it's maybe, hey, we can either buy more food, or give up the chin, which should we do? But I digress. The food is the only thing we ask for.
I've had a lot of people talking to me lately about how some rescues either charge surrender fees, or require cages to be dropped off with the animal. We've never charged surrender fees, and I don't see a situation where this would change... but basically, it's a fee for dropping off an animal. The money goes to help care for the animal and fund the rescue of course... but my worry has always been, what about that person that doesn't want to spend the $50 to drop off the animal, and, when this is brought up to them, decides that it's better to just let the animal go outside? I want to say the one humane society locally has a surrender fee, and they get animals dropped off on their doorstep, to avoid this. Last I heard, they have posted a sign saying they will prosecute people who drop animals at the doorstep. While I get the intention behind it (wanting people to come in, rather than drop the animal at the doorstep)... what do you think the real result of this prosecution thing is? You got it! The animals no longer are dropped off at the humane society, but rather, are just "let go." Now, how did that solve anything?
The other thing is that many rescues are requiring that people bring the cage with the pet. We've had instances where we've asked for this, like if we're trying to squeeze an animal in, due to special circumstances, and our cages are full, but in general, we do not require cages. Again, I understand the rationale -- if people still have the cage, there's always a possibility that they are just getting rid of this pet, and will go get another one... and the cycle will continue. In reality, I think more people that I want to run into are selling the cages and supplies, rather than giving them to rescues.
The reason we don't require cages to be given is again, because of the concern for the animals. We get in chinchillas here, from people who have told us, well, that other shelter requires we bring in a cage. So, what happens if every place requires a cage? You know where doesn't? The kill shelters. And you know what happens when they get overrun with small animals? Especially when no one is bringing them a cage? Oh yeah. I'd rather be the one that's a bit lax with that (and people do bring cages... not all, but a decent amount of people) and make sure the animals are going to a good rescue, rather than having that requirement, and then making people go searching for other places to take in their animals, because they want to keep / sell / whatever that cage.
I try to make it easy. Granted, some of these people probably do get other animals, which may end up at shelters later, but let's be honest... if we took their cage, they can just buy another. I'm worried about the current animals here... I'll deal with the ones in the future, when they get here.
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