How to convince my mom to let me get a hedgie?

[Mystic]

I am having trouble convincing my mom to let me get a hedgie. We already have 10 animals (most are mine), but I'm 17 and very responsible. The thing is is she doesn't think we need any more animals. I am also selling one of my cockatiels and my finch (I was selling them before I ever thought of gettting any more pets). I have to sell one of my cockatiels so they don't breed and my finch I was supposed to sell long ago. I don't know how to convince her to let me get a hedgie.I've done tons of research and know how to care for them and I have thought maybe in the future I might breed hedgies but for now I just want one. She was going to let me get a flying squirrel when someone that wanted to buy my birds suggested a trade, but for a flying squirrel I would need a permit and my mom doesn't want to go through that process. Hedgies are legal here and I don't need any permits unless I have 3 or more breeding females. What can I say to convince her? Thanks if any one can help me.

[Nancy]

Usually when parents don't let their children get a pet they have good reason.
I know nothing about you or your situation but notice that you have chins. Perhaps your mother doesn't want 2 rooms taken up with animals. Chins and hedgies have totally different heating requirements and do not do well in the same room.
Just a thought.

[Ododad]

Good point Nancy.

[bear]

check out the thread in the chin area where someone is trying to be allowed to get a chin: http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71128 there's some good advice there :)

[Paris_Honey]

I only have a dog. And I live on a rancher style house. So I have enough room. And I just finally got my mom to say that I might get a hedgie. All I have to do is have good grades and be able to pay for the hedgie!

[Tampaquillowner]

Mystic,

One thing to consider is this. You are seventeen, in a year or so you will be graduating from high school I assume. What about college? Do you plan to go? If you plan to go to college what will you do with your animals when you leave? Another consideration is this, do you have enough money to cover the costs of another animal? These are just some things to consider before you push your mom to get another pet. Maybe she is thinking long term, while you are thinking in the short term. How long will you be living with your parents, what if you want to move into an apartment. Having that many animals in an apartment could be very stressful on both you and the animals.

I agree with the other posters, chins and hedgies need different temperatures and they may not be able to be housed together. From what I understand chins need lower temperatures while hedgies do better in warmer.

[Mystic]

My chins are in the basement and my hedgie would be in my room. The chins stay cool in the basement and my room is just the right temp for me and my birds. I will be graduating this year in May and I do plan on going to college. I will only be going to a 2 year college and my animals will stay here until I graduate college. I'll come back to visit and play with them and my family (younger twin brothers and my mom) will take care of them while I'm gone. I do have money to care for my pets, plus one of my brothers helps with costs of the chins since two of them are his. I plan to major to be a vet tech and after inturnships and finding a job at a good vet clinic I will have either free or at least reduced vet care prices.

[Mystic]

I have also considered going into art and getting an art degree online so I can stay with my pets here. But I'm still not completely sure.

[Tampaquillowner]

Again, maybe your mom doesnt want you to get another animal in case you do go away to college. Maybe she doesnt want to take care of even more animals while you are away. If you can seperate your hedgies and chins then that is great. But like I said its up to your mom, and maybe you should talk to her seriously about why she is saying no. You are basically an adult now so you should talk to her like an adult and if she continues to say no then drop it. Wait until you can move out on your own and then get a hedgie. I dont blame your mom, ten animals is a lot to care for. While you are still in school and living at home you probably have a lot more time for your animals than your mom does. Maybe she is afraid that she wont have the time to care for so many animals.

A hedgehog needs to be socialized every single day to stay friendly and social. Will you and your mom be able to devote at least an hour a day to your baby? My boys each come out for an hour or so every single day to either sit in my lap or to play in the "playpen." If you add that to your other ten animals, will you be able to spend time with all of them and still give your hedgehog is "free time"?

[Hedge_girl]

I agree with most of what has already been said here, but I do have something else that may need saying:
I have also considered going into art and getting an art degree online so I can stay with my pets here. But I'm still not completely sure.
Gets on :soapbox:.
Forgive me if I sound cold, but don't decide your major because of your pets. Please do not make long term decisions based on short term situations! Also, many things can change while one is at college (both because of environment and because one gets older.) This isn't the best time in the world to be taking on more responsibilities that you might not be able to honor two to three years down the line.
Gets off :soapbox:.