Where to get a chinchilla: rescue, breeder or pet shop

Where is the best place to get a chinchilla?

A rescue, for most people. The MSD Veterinary Manual and VCA both list rescues and shelters alongside breeders and pet shops, and a rescue chinchilla is usually an adult whose temperament and health are already known. Chinchillas live 10 to 15 years or more, and an owner's life can change a lot in that time, so adult chinchillas do come up for rehoming. Here is how the three routes compare:

How do you adopt a chinchilla from a rescue?

Search the national sites first, then local small animal rescues. In the UK, the RSPCA's Find a Pet lists animals at its centres, and Raystede in East Sussex rehomes chinchillas for £50 each. In the US, Adopt a Pet lists chinchillas at shelters and rescues near you, with fees of about $40 to $75. Adopt a Pet notes that chinchillas can be harder to find in shelters than dogs or cats, so be patient. Raystede's process is a good example of what to expect:

1. Get ready first. Read the rescue's care guides and set up the cage before you apply. Our chinchilla cage setup guide walks through it.
2. Apply online. Fill in the small animal adoption form once.
3. Watch for new arrivals. Check the rescue's site regularly, as animals come and go.
4. Say which one you'd like. When a chinchilla or pair suits you, contact the rescue. Raystede says you don't need to apply again.
5. Ask about a companion. If a chinchilla is on its own, ask whether the rescue can pair it. Raystede offers an on-site bonding service.

How do you find a good chinchilla breeder?

Through a national club, then by checking the breeder yourself. In the UK, the National Chinchilla Society has a breeders page, and some breeders take animals to the Society's shows, held from September to April. The Society is clear that it does not approve breeders or inspect premises, and that being a member is no guarantee of quality. So use the list as a starting point and ask questions:

• Can I see the parents, and how are their teeth? Dental problems can be inherited, says the MSD Veterinary Manual.
• How old is this chinchilla? Kits nurse for six to eight weeks, says PetMD, so never take one younger than that.
• Has a vet or the breeder checked its sex? You need two of the same sex, or a neutered male with a female.
• Are males and females kept apart once they are old enough to breed, at about 8 months?
• Can I have a pedigree? The National Chinchilla Society suggests asking for one.
• Can I return it if it becomes ill soon after I take it home? The MSD Veterinary Manual suggests asking this.
• What has it been eating? You'll want to keep the same hay and pellets at first, as the RSPCA warns never to change a chinchilla's diet suddenly.

If you want a particular colour or an angora, our guide to chinchilla breeds and colours explains the names you'll see.

How much is a chinchilla at Petco or PetSmart?

PetSmart listed a chinchilla at $249.99 in November 2026, and says the animals on offer vary by store. We couldn't check Petco's live price, because its pages were not available to us when we looked. Chewy's vet-reviewed care sheet says US pet shops charge about $200 on average, so expect Petco to be in that range and ring your local store first.

In the UK, Pets at Home's small animal section listed rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and mice, but no chinchillas, when we checked in November 2026. If you do buy from any pet shop, use the health checklist below, and have a vet confirm the sex, as young chinchillas are easily mixed up. Our chinchilla cost guide covers the setup and monthly costs that come after.

What does a healthy chinchilla look like?

Bright, alert and quick to move when startled, says VCA. Check each of these before you take one home, from VCA, the MSD Veterinary Manual and the National Chinchilla Society:

• Bright, clear, open eyes with no discharge
• No discharge from the nose or ears, and no redness or excess wax in the ears
• Front teeth not overgrown, and top and bottom teeth meeting evenly
• Dry fur around the mouth and chin; wet fur can mean dental problems
• No wounds or patches of missing fur
• Neither fat nor thin: ribs easy to feel under a little fat, and not bony when held
• A clean, dry bottom with no sign of diarrhoea
• Interested in its surroundings, not sitting hunched in a corner

What should you avoid when getting a chinchilla?

Walk away from a chinchilla that seems too quiet or ill, says VCA, even if you feel sorry for it. The National Chinchilla Society adds sitting hunched, moving slowly or not wanting to move, and wetness around the eyes, nose or under the chin. Avoid sellers who keep males and females together, can't tell you the age, or won't let you see where the animals live. Don't buy a single chinchilla without a plan for a companion, and don't buy on the spot: the National Chinchilla Society suggests getting a second opinion rather than taking the first animal available.

What to do before you bring a chinchilla home

Have everything ready before they arrive, and book the vet. VCA says a health guarantee may require a check within about 48 hours, and the first visit usually includes weighing, a full exam and a check of the sex. Adopt a Pet also suggests checking that your area allows chinchillas, as some places treat them as exotic pets, and that your landlord agrees.

1. Set up the cage. Put it in a cool, quiet room away from sun and radiators, with hay, water, a nest box each and a shared one.
2. Find an exotics vet. Not every vet treats chinchillas, so find one before you need one.
3. Buy the same food. Get the hay and pellets they are used to, and change slowly later if needed.
4. Bring them home quietly. Use a small carrier with hay, and go straight home.
5. Give them a quiet week. Let them settle with just food, water and calm company, then start taming. Our guide on how to tame a chinchilla shows how.

If you're still deciding, read chinchillas as pets, and keep our full chinchilla care guide handy for the first months.