Why?
People have asked me why I do this. Because there are so few rescues out there. About three years ago I noticed that chinchillas started popping up on the Orlando freecycle. I realized that there is no real place for all of these wonderful animals to go. There are plenty of breeders here in the Florida area but no one for those rescues that can't stay in their forever home. Going to a shelter they are taken care of but are all their specific needs met? Usually not, quite often people are unfamiliar with chins and don't realize what their needs are. Also both shelters in the Florida / Orlando area are kill shelters. These little ones may not have the time to find their home. This got me to thinking that there needs to be someone to help give this guys a chance at finding their forever homes. I am home based rescue that is no kill and when rescues come here they stay her until their perfect family is found.
How do I find that family? They find me. I have a firm belief against craigslist, hoobly, kijjii and other online ads. I do not and will not place ads on any of these types of classifieds. Why? Because 99% of the time people that purchase off of these it is a impulse buy which is something that I do not want. Chinchillas being that they can live up to 20 years are far from an impulsive choice. Careful consideration needs to be made when bringing one of these critters into your life. All families come to me through my site and are screened from there through phone calls and emails.
I am also familiar with other rodents so I thought that I might as well include them. We have gotten everything from gerbils to bunnies here at Sunshine Chinchillas. I have also been asked if I make any money at this. Not a dime.. all adoption funds go straight back into the animals. We buy everything in bulk now as our numbers change somtimes on a weekly basis. Bales of hay here in Florida cost around $20.00 a bale. Food, dust, bedding, toys and vet care all come out of our pockets mine and the foster families that work with me.
So.. when people ask me why I rescue my answer is: Because I can.
That in a nutshell is why I do this.
Here at Sunshine Critters, we understand that things change. Circumstances may not allow you to keep your chin. We take in any chinchillas (or small animals) in the central Florida area. Under certain circumstances, we will be willing to drive a distance to pick up a surrender in other parts of Florida.
We do not charge anyone to surrender animals, but we also do not pay for animals that are going to be surrendered.
We strive to find the best possible homes for all of our chins. If you need to rehome your chinchilla please email me with the following information:
- Age, sex and date of birth of chinchilla (or small animal)
- Vet records if any
- Pet store or Breeder?
- Health Problems?
- Female/Male pair? How long together? Any kits(babies) as a result?
When turning over a chinchilla (or other small animal), all supplies (food,hay , dust , toys etc) and the cage are needed. This is to ensure that the chin can go from one enviroment to another with as little stress as possible.
I am also familiar with gerbils, hamsters, spiny mice, degus , rabbits and guinea pigs. All of our rabbits are house rabbits, and will be spayed/neutered prior to placement. All guinea pigs would be required to have a C & C cage upon adoption.
Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns at :