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July 30th, 2014 – Rest in Peace Alvin

Alvin was doing just fine in his foster home until one evening he looked unwell. His foster family took him to the vet. Alvin was checked over, prescribed medication and sent home. He seemed to be feeling a bit better when his foster family went to bed that night. But sadly, Alvin passed away during the night.
Our vets are not sure exactly what happened, but we are thankful that he was loved and cared for in his foster home before he passed.
Rest in peace little Alvin. You were much loved…

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The Ladybird Animal Sanctuary rescued Alvin from a high-kill shelter in Laval Quebec. (Big thanks to the folks at T.E.A.M. Dog Rescue and your volunteer drivers for getting Alvin to Ontario!)
Alvin is an active and vocal chinchilla. He LOVES time out of his cage for exercise and he really enjoys his saucer wheel (regular round wheels are not recommended for chinchillas) for times when he has to be caged. He is a nice little chichi when he is out of his cage and is able to run and explore his surroundings. He doesn’t mind some head scratches, or being picked up, but he can be “cage aggressive” when someone comes near his cage. It’s possible that he was pestered and poked through the cage bars in his previous home, so he can be a bit ornery that way. He was likely fed through the cage bars as well (a big no-no for any caged animal!) which leads him to believe that anything coming near his cage is food….including people fingers! His foster home is working on trying to curb this behaviour, but for this reason, Alvin’s adopter must an experienced chinchilla owner.

Chinchillas can live for fifteen to twenty years, so Alvin will need to be adopted to someone who is ready for a long termcommitment. Chinchillas do not make appropriate pets for young children.

Chinchillas need large and specific housing and require more care than a rabbit or guinea pig.

Think you might want to adopt a chinchilla? Make sure to read this page first.