How old is old enough?

[ChinchillaCrzy]

This is not a post to start a battle between the adults of the forum and the young adults of the forum, but I saw something tonight that kind of made me wonder. I can understand getting a chinchilla at a young age that you and say your mom share, because that is a learning experience for both and there is someone there to bare the brunt of the vet bills and what not. But I have seen a lot of postings on places like Chinworld and other chin classifieds of children as young as 9 looking for a chinchilla. Most of them want chins for free, but I worry sometimes that they might actually get one. Not that children cant take care of them, but the financial responsibility and all the information it takes to care for them is what I worry about. I know I probably shouldn't have, but I e-mailed a 13 year old girl and told her about chins-n-quills, and then told her about my vet bills and asked her if she or her parents were willing to take on that kind of financial burden right now. I know I am still a child in a lot of people's eyes since I am not quite 20 yet.... but I am also responsible for my own bills since I filed for independence when I turned 18. I know there are times now when I really wish that I had waited to get the chins that I got, but hind sight is 20/20 and I was always told to never look back. The vet bills from when Baby died were astronomical (thank God for a good job, a loving fiancee, and a very understanding vet), and now that Belle is sick (althought I have a better paying job...) I wonder sometimes how a 9 year old can or if they do get their chins to vets? I know as adults we sometimes make mistakes in caring for chins, but I know I had a hamster when I was 9. He was fun and all, but then BARBIE was cooler, and Herbert didn't want to play Barbies, so Herbert kind of became Mommies. Needless to say I had no more hamsters after he died... I just dont want that to happen to a chinchilla. My poor hamster was a hardy little fellow, but chins have so much special care that they need. Sorry I'm babbling guys it's late, I'm lacking sleep, I'm watching Belle be pitiful, and wondering what would have happened if Belle weren't mine and some kid's parents didn't want to pay the money to get her healthy especially since the prognosis isn't very good. I know there are some young adults out there that take superb care of their chins: Chinslave is one of them :) Probably more out there that I talk to on a regular basis, but I don't know everyone's ages... So here it is, I'm posting a poll (please no one fight over this). Do you think that a 9-14 year old should w/out parential co-ownership or real supervision (because you know how some parents are, I'm sure because you've read about them) should be allowed to own a chin or a hedgie? I can understand a cat or dog possibly, but a chinchilla.... or a sweet little hedgie? Please vote so I don't feel so bad about e-mailing that girl :(

[Chinslave]

I would say it would have to depend on the person. I know some 10 year olds that I would not hesitate to sell one of my chins to and I also know some 30 year olds I would never in my right mind sell any critter to.

PS
Thanks for the kind words. :D Made my day. :)

[ChinchillaCrzy]

Yeah you were definitely right about not selling to some adults, I guess I am just more worried about the financial concerns. Especially if they are wanting someone to give them a chin and a cage for free. Four years ago when my mom said no to a hedge hog she said she wouldn't buy me one, that meant she would spend no money on one if I got it (althought I know "if" I did get one and if got sick she would have taken it to the vet). Well, what wanting a free one and cage is saying to me that their parents wont buy them one and probably wouldn't take it to the vet if it got sick or wouldn't pay to have what needed to be done done since they never wanted the animal in the first place. Sigh, I can't explain it the way I want to. It's all good in my head but I am so tired and mentally exhausted to get it to come our right on the screen. I hope I haven't offended anyone by saying this. I'm just scared for the chin's well being.

[Chinslave]

Okay I got it now.
I would say you are right then. If they do not have the finacial aid they need they should not get one.
I thought you meant age wise.

[Pikachu]

ChinchillaCrzy - That is a very good point. When I read your first post, I hadn't though of it that way (wanting a cage and chin for free) and that the parents might not be supportive of it. I was originally thinking of age-wise maturity, not financial support. Wow, that would be pretty scary if the parents weren't too enthused to take them to the vet :cry: and handle the work that goes into caring for a sick chin. I can see why you are concerned.

[gilly]

What a really great poll, and I shall watch this one with interest. I run a rescue centre as most of you know and it is so difficult to assess the maturity level of a child. We always say that children under the age of 12 may adopt only with parental supervision. It just depends really, but I think you raised so many BRILLIANT points about the finanicial end of things and so on. The proof is in the pudding so to speak, I think that a child's attitude toward responsibility really can be aided by having a pet to care for,,,but there are so many pro's and cons. :confused:

[Nan and Court]

That is a great poll, and I agree about both the mental maturity and financial responsibility. Elli is called "Courtney's pet", but in all reality, she's both of ours. I would never let Court take her out alone or pick her up unsupervised, first of all, she'd never catch her if she jumped out of her arms. Court has never even opened the cage without either me or Kris present, and she always asks permission first - a rule. And now that Elli is sick, I've taken over the responsibility of taking her to the vet (this I do lovingly for Elli because I want whats best for her -although the pet store is paying the bill) I'd do it anyway because I love Elli as much as Court does. I follow your concern for kids who want chins and cages free because you are probably right about the parents not wanting anything to do with it. Also, you know that probably most of them will never do any research about chins, although I think anyone that sells to a younger child should make it part of the agreement that they become a member of c-n-q so that we could help them and be sure they are doing things right. Its funny how sometimes our minds work at night when we are exhausted!!!!


Nan

[LPOWMAC]

I agree with all that has been said. When people, young or old, want to welcome an animal into their home, they must make a commitment of being responsible for as long as that animal lives. I feel although it may initially be a young person's "thing," to want the animal and take care of it, an adult must be involved in some capacity. Children & teens, like my son Joshua (13) also have to consider the fact that they will possibly be going away to college and staying in a dorm. My son Joshua will be going to college (in 5 years), and hopes he will get housing that will allow a chin, but I think that is probably not the case.. and so, I will become the primary caretaker of Doodles & Smudge... which of course, I am thrilled with!
:heart:

[SIChins]

I always had a lot of my own pets, ever since I was about 8 or 9. My parents were willing to pay (or help pay when I delivered papers or worked at a kennel in the summer) for food, vet bills, etc. But, to me my animals were always a very serious thing (I owned my first horse when I was 12, and mucked stalls, etc. to help pay for her upkeep). A lot of my friends didn't understand though why I would give up playing to look after animals. It is not to be taken lightly, it doesn't matter what kind of animal it is. If the parents are involved it helps, but when it came to animals in my household as a child, most of it was left up to me. I did some volunteer work for a vet when I was very young, and in turn, he gave me free advice and discounts on everything from checkups to spaying and nuetering. My parents would not help care for the animals, nor would I have wanted them to, they were my babies and my responsibility.

[SIChins]

Oh, i almost forgot to add, when I sell any of my animals (chinchillas or degus), I state to anyone under 16 that the parent or guardian must come with the youth to pick the animal up. I think that is a fair thing to ask for an animals well being.