Chinchilla's
@innocents_lost (1026)
Canada
May 27, 2012 10:07am CST
The shelter I work at has recently had an alarming amount of chinchilla come in last year we had only 1through out the entire year now we have 9 and even more calls from people who want to surrender them. I'm not sure what upwith this rabbits and guinea pigs we always have alot of but not usually chinchillas I feel so bad for thm we r no kill so they will get adopted eventually but do people not realize how much work they are and how long they live when they get them?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
27 May 12
I recall watching a TV show on them, I thought they were very cute animals and had an interest in them too afterward. But after I saw about the dust baths and other essentials they'd need I kind of changed my mind, I just wasn't working at the time to fullfill the need for that all. Some people who are caring will do their best to educate themselves on how to care for them properly. Some do not. Just the other day someone said they were going to grow some lettuce to help with the cost of feeding their bunny, but in turn I told them that lettuce is actually bad for rabbits. So I know what you mean, some people just don't educate themselves before buying their food, little own other necessities. It's said when you tell them and they still don't get what they need for the animal at the store or such. It would make me feel depressed for the poor animal, alot of people can be so ignorant but some just don't realize what they got themself into. I pray these animals get adopted by responsible folks, they are so adorable.
@innocents_lost (1026)
• Canada
27 May 12
Actually roman letuce is very good for rabbits the only kind of lettuce they can not have is iceberg as it gives them the runs and up sets there stlmace but all other types are perfectly okay for bunny's I grow a huge garden for my bunny's every spring with all kinds of different said greens and herbs for them they love the fresh stuff so much more then the store naught stuff
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
28 May 12
Really? Oh I see, the articles I read just said 'lettuce' not giving me the kinds of lettuce. I think the bunny in our yard was trying to get to the romaine lettuce now that you mention it. But they were small and overwintering. It was a mild winter that season so it didn't freeze the lettuce for some reason.
@nonersays (3335)
• United States
27 May 12
You hit the nail right on the head.
People DON'T realize how much work they are when they get them.
Once upon a time I worked at a pet store, and we occasionally had chinchillas. I would explain what all they needed, and often got, "Whats a dust bath? Why do they need that?" Often they would try to leave WITHOUT the things their new pet NEEDED.
People assume that small pets, like bunnies, rabbits, chins and even hamsters/gerbils/rats/mice are going to be SUPER easy to take care of. They think they can just stick them in a cage and that's the end of it.
When they realize that its no less work for a small pet than it is for a dog or cat, either the animal suffers or the people get rid of it.
I hate how so many people think pets are disposable.
@innocents_lost (1026)
• Canada
27 May 12
Yes I run across the same thing all the time I run the small animal department and the people bring in there rabbits and are like well its 3 years old and I'm going off to school and can't keep it well when u got it 3 years ago did u not realize this it aggravates me sooooo much I can't stand it. I also work at a oetfood store and the petshop in town here downtown explain anything to people who get pets they just sell them to who ever the amount of people who come in to my store for food and I spend an hour explaining what all their new animal will require and they are overwhelmed and don't know why they were not told this when they bought them
@nonersays (3335)
• United States
28 May 12
That's a main reason I dislike pet stores. Specially the big corporate chains. They don't care about the animal, they care about the money.
The one I worked for was a small company owned by one man, and our animals came first. I loved that job.
Sadly the store went under because it couldn't compete with the PetSmart in town.
I've bought hermit crabs, rats and fish from the petsmart, and never once did they ask me, "Have you owned one before" or offered any suggestions on what I might need to go with the critter.
@innocents_lost (1026)
• Canada
28 May 12
It's so horrible sometimes and the conditions at some of the stores are so sad and the health of the animal suffers the pet shop we have in town is selling guinea pigs right now 3 weeks old those poor things don't stand a chance of living a good long life
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
27 May 12
Well said innocents_lost. It's true, most people do little to no research on pets that they decide to take on. It's awful. We take in quite a few surrendered animals here at our home. We have always tried to keep what we can, but now what we have is more than enough, we're full up. Any rescues that come in now have to be moved on to forever homes, but it's difficult to find a for real forever home these days :(
@innocents_lost (1026)
• Canada
28 May 12
It is so hard. When I joined the humane society there was no small animal decision so I started one this year we have placed 122 small animals so far alot more then dogs and cats as we are a small shelter I wonder were these animals would have ended up 2 years ago before the start of the program :( we generally have between 40-60. Small animals at any given time
1 person likes this
