Will be rescuing another chin

[maureend]

Hello everyone!

My name is Maureen and I have an amazing little man "Boo".  He is about 5 years old and we've had him since he was less than a year old our daughter who was home schooled so he's always had lots of attention and is super friendly and doesn't mind being held and will sit on our shoulder while he has his out of cage play times.  Has full run of the spare bedroom, he's pretty much king of the castle!!  LOL


We were just asked to take another chin (Harry).  The owners do not have time to care for him and kids have lost interest, Harry's cage mate was killed by the dog after escaping the cage (they said he chewed threw the plastic so I honestly have no idea what type of cage he's in but I'm afraid it could be some small hamster type cage if it's plastic!  Good lord).  Now they said Harry's cage is in the storage room and they just don't have the time to care for him.  It broke our hearts to hear this and of course my husband and I immediately said we're taking him!

I'm looking for recommendations for a specific cage(s). (currently look at the Midwest Homes for Pets - Double Unit Cage, which can eventually become 3 stories, but can be 2 separate single cages also)  or should I buy 2 new single cages so that there is no prior scents or would the separated multi-level cage be good?

I just want to get Harry to our home as soon as possible.  The physical introduction can happen slowly once he is here.  I just want to get him to a place where he will be included in all social aspects and not locked in a room alone.  

I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions and recommendations on how to make this a healthy and happy transition for Harry and Boo.  

Thank you,
Maureen, Joe & Boo

[Jamie]

HI Maureen and Joe and Boo

You may know my chinchilla Tiki from his well known videos on youtube ( tiki the dancing chinchilla)

I was told by the family that they loved him and the kids had lots of homework and that if I could find him a better home
that would be great.

So one day I went over to meet Tiki. He was eating gerbil food, in a crappy cage, with plastic all chewed up
and the 2 kids were chasing him around the living room with a baseball bat. They would slam the floor everytime he rested

I was trying not to cry , as the kids and the mother told me how this was Tiki's favorite game and that they played every day
like this.

It didnt take 5 minutes till I offered them 100 dollars and got him out of there as quick as I could.

My point is its wonderful and important that you adopt and get him to a loving , comfortable , safe home as soon as you can.

Having chinchillas for 15 years and running a forum for 10 , has made me keenly aware that our chinchilla friends are being
mistreated , even tortured world wide.

As far as the cage. Please think ahead. Those of us who have more than one chinchilla( I have 7) , want them to have a friend.
If you buy single cages , well you can let them out for playtime together eventually but the whole thing about them
cuddling, sleeping together, having a friend kinda goes out the window.

What I suggest is you get a small cage, maybe a decent starter cage,, you can get for 60 bucks and have it for him when he
comes to live with you. People say that quarantine is important ( putting new chinnies in a separate room etc) but in all this time
I have never done it.

Put the cages near each other and let them get used to it. Let the new chinnie get used to you, his surroundings, the sounds , scents
and so on.

Try to introduce them... if you need help with that we can help you

Once they can try to be in a cage together .. it would be great if you had just one.

I use 2 FERRET Nations 182 and replaced the shelves of course with KD pine wood. I also use a BASS pan instead of what comes with it.

I also have a Chinchilla Mansion by quality cage and the kids love that one

In addition I have a critter nation.

The double cages are ok, but you have to have access to them, and the chinchilla at the top cant go in and out freely
you would have to take that one out for playtime. It can be a lot of work for a very long time.

Let us know what you decide
and so good to know you and your big heart

Jamie

[maureend]

Thank you Jamie for your reply! I've left messages with the current owner that we want to pick him up as soon as possible. You are right, the sooner I can get him here the better. It broke my heart to hear about Tiki, and I know there are so many other stories out there that we don't know about. It hurts the heart. I'm going to do the single starter cages and then the mansion once they are co-habituating.

I want thank you so much Jamie, you are such a champion for the chinchilla's! Your advice helped me when our Boo had an intestinal blockage and I feel you helped me to save his life! I'm sure it's a lot of work to keep a forum up and running, but I hope you know how much it is appreciated!

I'm so excited for the thought of Boo having a buddy to be with! I'm filled with such excitement! Never know I might even be able to pick him up today!

[Jamie]

Aug 29, 2016 5:50:29 GMT -5 maureend said:

Thank you Jamie for your reply! I've left messages with the current owner that we want to pick him up as soon as possible. You are right, the sooner I can get him here the better. It broke my heart to hear about Tiki, and I know there are so many other stories out there that we don't know about. It hurts the heart. I'm going to do the single starter cages and then the mansion once they are co-habituating.

I want thank you so much Jamie, you are such a champion for the chinchilla's! Your advice helped me when our Boo had an intestinal blockage and I feel you helped me to save his life! I'm sure it's a lot of work to keep a forum up and running, but I hope you know how much it is appreciated!

I'm so excited for the thought of Boo having a buddy to be with! I'm filled with such excitement! Never know I might even be able to pick him up today!

Im excited as well for you.
and thank you for your kind post
it made my day

hugs
Jamie