When you surrender a chinchilla to Second Chance Chins, we understand it's not always something you want to do, but sometimes it's necessity.  We are sensitive to the feelings of our clients, knowing how we'd feel if we were giving up our beloved pet.  This page outlines the guidelines and procedures for surrendering a chinchilla to us.

We do not charge to take in chinchillas for rehoming, but we do require that you supply us with all of the chinchilla's belongings.  This means the chin's cage and all its contents, food, toys, leftover litter and any other supplies that you may have.  First, this keeps familiar things with your chin, so that they are not as traumatized by the change in location.  Secondly, if you're giving up your chinchilla, you shouldn't have any need for these items anyway.  Items that are in good, usable condition that are deemed unneeded here at Second Chance Chins are donated to other small animal rescues (rabbit, guinea pig, rat, ferret, etc.) or sold and the profits are used to help support the rescue.  We do not pass along items with a chinchilla when they go to their new home.  Their new family is responsible for providing for their needs.

We try to keep bonded pairs together whenever possible, however we will separate an unaltered male/female pair, as we believe allowing breeding is unethical for a rescue.  There are rare occasions when we feel it's in the best interest to split up a pair, if we do not feel they are happy together.

We give you the option of receiving updates on your chin as long as it is with us here at SCC.  We do receive periodic updates from most of our adoptive chinnie parents, so even after the adoption, you may get an occasional update.  You also have the option of changing your mind later regarding the updates.

We require an online questionnaire be filled out prior to arranging a meeting time or being placed on a waiting list.  This questionnaire provides us with important information that allows us to assess what will be needed space and supply-wise for your chin. It also helps us provide the best possible care for the chinchilla when he or she arrives here.  Please do NOT submit a questionnaire without contacting us first regarding your situation!  Often we are full and are working from a waiting list.  We may need to refer you elsewhere for assistance.   Upon meeting for the surrender of your chin, we require a release form be printed, filled out and brought with you at the time of the meeting.  This form transfers ownership of the chinchilla to us for placement in a new home.

It is possible that your chin may be transferred to another qualified chinchilla rescue, possibly out of state when we are inundated with rescue requests.  There will be no guarantees made regarding updates from these other rescues, or if your chin will be transferred or not.

No judgements will ever be made regarding the information provided to Second Chance Chins, and personal information is kept confidential.  We do not provide the new owner of your chin with your contact information, nor do we provide you with theirs.  The exception is if both parties are agreeable to being in touch with each other.  We would still like to be kept part of the "loop" as far as updates however, and request that if an arrangement is made putting both parties in contact, that we be copied on update messages about the chin.

When your chin arrives at Second Chance Chins, we check their teeth for proper length and color, we verify its gender (we've gotten many that were sexed incorrectly), and we get a baseline weight on our digital scale and record it on a spreadsheet.  Having a baseline weight is important, as with most chins, weight loss is the first outward indication of illness.  We then place the chin into its cage and just let it be to explore and get used to its new surroundings for about a day, with an occasional check on how he or she is doing.  After the chin has settled in a bit, we do a little photo session and get to know the chin so we can write about his or her personality for the website.  This allows prospective new chinnie parents to get an idea of what each chin is like.  The chin is on the current rescues page during this time.  Once the chin has been here for at least 30 days, he or she is moved to the available for adoption page and is also listed on petfinder.com.  Persons interested in adopting chins then apply to adopt and are screened thoroughly.  We don't place our chins with just "anyone".

Questions are always welcome.  Please contact us via email prior to filling out the online questionnaire.  In your email, please be sure to include your name as well as your location (city, state).  Use the subject of "chinchilla surrender" for your contact email to help us serve you better.

To read what others have felt about surrendering their chinchilla to Second Chance Chins, please click the button below.