Adopting and Fostering for Cali_FID Exotic Rescue, Modesto, CA. 

​​Here at Let’s Love Chinchillas + Cali_FID we take extra steps to help ensure our adopters and fosters are prepared for their newest addition. Whether you’re new to caring for Chinchillas or you’re an experienced owner ready to hit the ground running, this questionnaire will help us better understand just how much you've learned about this species. 

We hope the following questions will provoke curiosity during your own research. We encourage you to research the questions here, on our website, as a family. Any incorrect answers will allow us to turn this into a learning situation so all the needs of the animals are met while in your care. 

Prospective Adopters

  • Why would you like to adopt a Chinchilla from the rescue?

  •  Are you 18 years or older? If no, you must have a parent or guardian present to adopt. We reserve the right to verify identity, age and residence. 

  •  Are you a parent wishing to adopt a pet for a child? If yes, who will be assuming primary care of the animal? ( Providing care, vet care, cage cleaning, purchasing supplies, etc? )  
 
  • Chinchillas are a 20+ year long commitment, have you and your family discussed how great of a commitment it is to bring an animal into your lives that lives such a long life? They will be there throughout many milestones. They will need your time and attention for the entire duration of their natural life. 
 
  • Do you, or have you owned Chinchillas before? If yes, please describe your experience.
 
  • If you currently own Chinchillas, do you hope to bond the new animal to your current animal?
 
  • If yes, do you know how to properly attempt to introduce two Chinchillas, and are you aware of the possible risks involved?
 
  • Do you have a second cage on-hand? 
 
  • If you have not owned Chinchillas, what sort of temperament / personality do you expect your pet to have? This is important.
 
  • Where will the Chinchilla be housed?
 
  • If this is your first Chinchilla, do you have an appropriate cage set up before adopting? ( Please attach a photo of your cage if yes )
 
  • Have you reviewed our cage supply checklist and cage suggestions?
 
  • Will other pets have access to the Chinchilla’s enclosure?​
 
  • Why should Chinchillas NOT have contact with other animals?
 
  • When should you clean your pet’s cage?
 
  • What should you do if you think your pet may be ill?
 
  • Do you currently have a Exotic Vet for your current / future pet?
 
  • What temperature should a Chinchilla’s environment be?
 
  • What is a consequence of failing to maintain a Chinchilla’s recommended temperature?
 
  • Do you own a reliable Air Conditioning unit?
 
  • Do you own reliable transportation w/ a reliable Air Conditioner?
 
  • Should Chinchillas consume seeds, fruit, nuts or vegetables?  
   
  • Should rescue animals be allowed to “play” with other pets of the opposite sex?
 
  • Should rescue animals be used for breeding purposes?
 
  • Do you intend to use this rescue animal for breeding purposes/ place this animal in a position where it will have access to a member of the opposite sex and breed?
 
  • Sometimes situations are out of our control and we're unable to keep the commitment we made to our pets, in that situation what would you do? ( Please know that you can ALWAYS return any animal adopted from Let’s Love Chinchillas + Cali_FID back to the rescue. )
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  • Do you, or have you owned Chinchillas before? If yes, please describe your experience.
 
  • If you have not owned Chinchillas, what sort of temperament / personality do you expect your pet to have? This is important.

Additional questions for prospective Foster Families : 

 Fostering for the rescue could be a short term or long term commitment depending on the animal’s situation. If you’re unable to continue fostering until the animal is adopted, are you willing to make every attempt to return the animal to the rescue in a timely manner while also being considerate that finding a replacement foster may take a short period of time? 
  • Do you have reliable transportation? 
  • Do you have transportation that can accommodate supplies/cages
  • Are you flexible with your after-work hours? 
  • How experienced are with with medical care/ husbandry for recovering animals? 
  • What TYPE of foster do you plan to foster? ( Medical, Maternity, Healthy & Waiting, Sanctuary, behavioral issues)