How has the Internet improved chinchill-ing

[dpawlowski]

I had chinchillas back when I was in high school and college...before the Internet was popular. Now that I am a second timer with chins, I think I am more responsible because of information I read on the Internet. Granted, I had the books, but books can't answer those "right now" questions. So, breeder, owners, how has the Internet revolutionized chinchill-ing for you???

[Loves2LoveChins]

OMG it has so improved. Now I can reasearch information about chinchillas and get live feedback from others who truly know! TYhis has changed everything really because I have chinchilla books and they only scratch the surrface. No one talks in books about hair ring checks or the im,portance of quarrentine do to fungus. Etc Etc Etc! LOL I love this forum and thank my lucky stars we have the net and I can afford it. LOL

[WestCoastChins]

The positive side of having the internet is that information can be shared more easily (like on this forum and others like it).

The downside is that there are more petty arguments and gossiping about people and breeders as a result of the internet.

[big Ern!]

I think that the internet has revolutionized animal keeping as a whole so much!
It has helped people get the info they need and to help them become properly educated on how to care for their animals.
Some animals like chins and sugar gliders, both of which I have, are difficult to find good credible sources of information on. The internet has probably saved so many animals lives and also helped to improve them.

Selective breeding has also benefited from the internet. People are able to be more selective about mate choice and they are able to find the best animals to breed.

The net has also spawned many animal based friendships!

[chinlover124]

I cannot believe what I learned about chins. I never knew about diet..(thank you Ann Ingram), I knew nothing about heat, nothing about hairrings..I was completely lost. But I am so glad I did my research to enjoy happy long lives with my chins.

[alpayton]

The downside is that there are more petty arguments and gossiping about people and breeders as a result of the internet.

Only thing about this is that the gossiping is faster and cheaper...gossip existed before the internet, it was just slower and cost people more money (long distance bills).

[Elmer Atté]

One of my chins had an ccident several days ago. I was in a panic. Thanks to the internet, I was able to deal with the situation, as I was able to obtain information in real time. My chin is doing well now, thank you!

[leaughxp]

Well besides being addicted to it, the internet allowed me to find a second chin who is far away from me. Well actually to find both my chins.

[chincolores]

The internet has caused most of us to be more informed and close nit....that's a good thing. Like many internet things there are always a down side, misinformation. Forums like this have been a blessing in that IF someone gives bad information, it is readily counteracted and corrected.....we all learn!! :)

The other part of this that I would like to happen is that there has been an explosion of classified ads.........for those who have been on this and other forums, an explosion of ads for inferior animals has happened. Long ago the classifieds were small in numbers and there were not the kind of ads that say "have a sale (reduced prices) for animals that don't sell in say a day or two." Could this be because the animals shouldn't have been bred?? There are so many people that cruise the classifieds looking for something worth while to buy. Some of the animals there should just be someones pet and not bred. They are probably sweet as they could be, but not the kind of animal that is bred and they are out there all over the place.

I would like to see more information getting to people to get them personally involved in one of the groups.....IE: MCBA or ECBC or even the chinchilla club!! All of them have great informative meetings to go to and learn. Many are putting more information on the net now too. The more people read what they should be doing, hopfully will learn and respect the ideas of the ones that have been doing this for a long time. I am constantly learning from my mentors and have changed my breeding habits towards a greater goal of a great animal......not just putting two cute ones together because they will breed, but knowing "Why" I put two particular animals together.

How about getting a genetics section to this forum list?? How about a section for shows and showing?? Hopefully more people will read it and get involved?? And hopefully the market will not be as flooded with inferior animals.

[dpawlowski]

I wouldn't mind joining a chin club. Are they mainly for breeders or strictly owners too? How would I find one that is right for me???