Are you ready for a chinchilla?

Hi! This is Chris, volunteer and guest writer! It's time for another blog post!

Today I wanted to write about bringing a new animal into your family. Is it the right time? Are you and your family ready for it? Many people debate before bringing home a dog or a cat, but don't put in as much thought before bringing home a smaller pet like a chinchilla. So here's some questions to ask yourself before saying "yes" to that cute furry friend!

Do you have the TIME for this animal?

Chinchillas may not require the same amount of time as a dog or a cat, but they still do have daily requirements for their care. You will need to ensure that you have time to set aside every day for their care. You will need time for checking on their supplies like food, hay and water. You'll need time to clean and upkeep their cage and environment, whether you are making or buying items for their cage. You will also need "fun" time with your chinchilla! This can mean playtime outside the cage (if you choose to do so), so simply time playing with them in the cage.

Can you COMMIT to this animal for it's entire life?

While chinchillas are small, they have a pretty good life expectancy! If you acquire a baby chinchilla, you should expect to care for them for about 12-15 years. Some chinchillas live even longer! If you can't make this long term committment, perhaps a different small animal is better. If you think there might be changes to your lifestyle (having kids, moving, going away to school, etc) that would prevent you from continuing to care for this chinchilla, ask about similar animals that may have a shorter life expectancy.

Do you have the KNOWLEDGE to care for this animal?

Have you done your research? Do you know the "do's and don'ts" of chinchilla care? Chinchillas are NOT a good animal to "figure it out as you go along"! Have you read NWI's care sheet? Plan to do that before considering if a chinchilla is the right fit for you. Another great idea is to join a couple chinchilla groups on Facebook, to chat with other chinchilla owners and breeders and to hear about their care.

Do you have the FUNDS for this animal?

You will need 3 types of funds to bring a new animal into your family.
1. Startup funds: this money will go towards the one-time purchases that you need to make to bring the animal home. Such as adoption fee, cage, food bowl, water bottle, cage accessories. Plan to spend a couple hundred if you don't previously have supplies. One way to bring this cost down is to inquire with us about what used cages, rescue chins, and used supplies we have for sale!
2. Daily funds: this money is what makes the purchases from day to day. Replenishing food supply, hay, new toys from time to time, etc. This cost can also be lowered by purchasing cheaper items through our store (and support rescue animals in the meantime!).
3. Emergency fund: anyone who has ever had a pet can confirm that vet bills are expensive! While chinchillas typically do not require yearly checkups and preventative care, their emergency care CAN be costly! Start a savings plan and put a little away each month so that when emergencies happen, they dont break the bank.

If you still have questions about whether a chinchilla is right for you, talk to us! Ask questions and lets chat! We are always here for you to support you in your decision to bring a chinchilla home.