Page 26 - IH29-Houma

pets

FROM PELTS

TO PETS
Chinchillas

as Companions

By Liz Genest Smith

esteem as cats and dogs,
rom micro-pigs to may bite if handled roughly. esteem as cats and dogs,
making them off-limits to
marmosets, the Active and playful, they’re making them off-limits to
furriers. In that respect, riers. In that respect,
exotic pet trend often compared to squirrels, fur
perhaps w
shows no signs meaning they need a good- perhaps we can consider e can consider
Fof slowing down. sized habitat with plenty of them to be adorable little able little
them to be ador
People who find common room to play and things to ambassador
ambassadors for their s for their
household pets a little ho- gnaw on. Originally from the species in addition to
species in addition to
hum are often looking for mountains of South Amer- great pets.
an unusual new option. Both ica, they are a bit tempera-
boutique and large chain pet ture-sensitive and do best in
Help U Sae Their Peciou Lie.
stores have started carrying 60-70 degrees. As for food, Help U Sae Their Peciou Lie.
a critter that fits the bill. It there is specially formulat-
looks like a giant, velvety ed chinchilla chow on the
mouse with enormous, market, and you can supple-
cartoonishly cute round ears. ment with Timothy Hay and
Would you believe it’s a occasional treats.
chinchilla? Most people have As with most animals, to
never seen one, much less ensure health and pleasant
know anything about them -- temperament, experts rec-
so, do they make good pets? ommend that you buy them
We’ve done some research from a reputable breeder,
to help you decide. such as members of The
Adult female chinchillas Chinchilla Club. Their direc-
weigh about a pound-and- tory can be found at www.
a-half, while males are a chinchillaclub.com/breeder. Animals don't deserve to die, because there are not
bit smaller. They’re most Despite the objections of enough homes for them. We rescue them and find
commonly silvery-gray, but many animal lovers, the fur them loving homes on the East Coast.
they also come in white, industry is still thriving. And
beige, ebony and sapphire. even though chinchillas are Wo ’t you join u and help u sae me lie?
They can live 12 to 20 years, farm-raised for their pelts,
so make no mistake -- this people continue to hunt HumaneLA.org
is a committed relationship. them illegally, making them an facebook.com/HumaneLA
It’s recommended that they endangered species. Maybe if twitter.com/HumaneLA
live in households with older they grow more popular as
children because, though pets, more people will come Tel (504) 729-8340
they are usually friendly, they to hold them in the same Fax (504) 324-0633
www.HumaneLA.org
26 INSPIRE HEALTH May ? June 2017