- December 4, 2025
The Flagler Humane Society currently has a 5-year-old chinchilla available for adoption. I can only recount one other time that a chinchilla has been surrendered to Flagler Humane Society in the 20-plus years I have worked here.
They are not a common pocket pet and require some special housing accommodations. They are not for beginner pocket pet owners. Chinchillas need a large amount of space to live in. They prefer to have a cage that has multiple levels for them to climb to. They are curious and love to have mazes and tunnels. They enjoy toys and their cage should contain plenty of toys that can be chewed. The cage should include a hide-out for when they need some time away from people.
Chinchillas must have a high fiber diet. The majority of their diet consists of good quality grass hay, and they must have plenty of it. They also require a specialized chinchilla food that again is high in fiber. Feeding them food that is not appropriate for their diet could result in serious digestive problems and health issues.
These rodents need to be provided an area for a “dust” bath. They use this to keep their coats thick and nice. It also absorbs oils and keeps the coat free of dirt. They should never be given a bath. The dust acts like dry shampoo for their fur. Chinchilla fur is very fine and soft. There are commercially made dust bath containers that help to contain the dust so that it does not get everywhere, but expect some amount of dust to be around the cage.
If you are looking for a pocket pet that likes to be held, this is not the pet for you. These small mammals like to explore and roam around. They enjoy jumping and running. They would rather be climbing on you than being held. The more you interact with your chinchilla, the more interactive they will be with you. They have little hands that are able to hold things. They are able to pick up their toys and use their hands to eat treats.
If you are thinking of adding a chinchilla to your home, please do your research and make sure that you are willing to provide them with a healthy and enriching environment. They are fun little creatures with the cutest little faces. Check out your local humane societies and rescues to see if they have any available for adoption.
Katie Share is the lead animal services officer for Flagler Animal Services
