Are you searching for your next pet?
We might be able to help! We volunteer as the Chinchilla Rescue Coordinator with Cali_FID Parrot and Exotics Rescue Sanctuary in Modesto, CA—a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
It all began in high school when I discovered the need for chinchilla rescue and fostering in my community. I became the sole chinchilla foster for Cali_FID and, over the past decade, have worked to expand our network of chinchilla foster homes. Today, our dedicated team—including Leah, Amy, Carol, Emily, Nina, Jen the founder, and myself—has helped countless chinchillas find second chances and better lives.
We’re here to help you learn about and prepare for your future chinchilla companion. Whether you're new to chinchilla care or looking to adopt, feel free to reach out—we’d love to support your journey!
What do you need to do?
What Do You Need to Do to Adopt?
We’re not looking for perfection—we’re looking for committed homes ready to learn!
If you’re an experienced chinchilla owner, the process should be smooth and straightforward. If you’re new to chinchillas, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. We highly encourage anyone interested in adopting to do thorough independent research about chinchilla care. Once we receive your adoption application, we’ll also provide a brief care guide to get you started.
Here’s how the process works:
Explore: Browse through our available chinchillas and find your potential match.
Apply: Submit an adoption application on the Cali_FID Rescue website.
Learn: A volunteer will contact you with our Chinchilla Care 101 Guide, Getting Ready Guide and a learning quiz to help reinforce your knowledge. During this time, you can ask any questions, and our coordinator will address them.
Approval: Once your application and quiz are approved, we’ll place a hold on your chosen chinchilla for 1–2 weeks. This gives you time to gather the necessary supplies outlined in the guide.
Final Review: After confirming you’re ready, the board will review everything and, once approved, we’ll schedule your adoption appointment!
Important Notes:
Adoption fees are collected in person at the time of adoption. We do not collect fees in advance or ship animals. Be cautious of scammers impersonating the rescue and requesting electronic payments—that is NOT us.
We look forward to helping you welcome your new chinchilla companion into your home!
Under constructrion : Updated 1/5/2025
Zeke
Age: 4 years
Sex: Male
Color: Standard Grey
Arrival Date: 12/19/2023 ONE-YEAR CLUB
Cage Mate: NONE
Adoption Fee: $100.00
About Me:
Zeke came to the rescue after his family had a baby. Unfortunately, he didn’t get along well with the other male chinchilla he lived with. Likely due to the family restricting their food, which led to resource-guarding behaviors and fighting.
Because of his history, Zeke cannot share a cage with other chinchillas and must have his own space. Despite this, he’s very well-behaved with people and enjoys watching them, being petted, and, of course, receiving treats!
Sushi
Age: 4 years
Sex: Male
Color: Medium Ebony
Arrival Date: 12/19/2023 ONE-YEAR CLUB
Cage Mate: NONE
Adoption Fee: $200.00
About Me:
Sushi’s Story is the same as Zeke’s - came to the rescue after his family had a baby, didn’t get along well with the other chinchillas, family restricted their food, which led to resource-guarding behaviors and fighting. Sushi needed medical care due to a large injury on his back.
Because of his history, Sushi cannot share a cage with other chinchillas and must have his own space. Despite this, he’s a friendly little guy. He will come right up to you to look for snacks and hop into your lap.
Danny
Age: Unknown, estimated 2-5 years.
Sex: Male
Color: Standard Grey
Arrival Date: 1/20/2024 ONE-YEAR CLUB
Cage Mate: NONE
Adoption Fee: $100.00
About Me:
We do not have a full history of Danny. He was transferred to the rescue from a Bay Area shelter. We don’t know why, but he’s been with the rescue for nearly a year. He immediately bonded to another male in the rescue but recently had to be separated ( more below ). Danny is a beautiful boy with very long whiskers and a generally happy demeanor. He would make a great “ first “ Chinchilla for someone.
Why we separated them: we believe, when a shelf fell in their cage it caused them to react out of fear. Danny’s cagemate was attacked but only had defensive wounds. Danny was unscathed but could have been bumped by the shelf causing him to react. The pair was found snuggled together in the cage when their foster came home from work, and out of an abundance of caution, we separated the pair. Since nobody was in the room to witness what happened, we had to make the responsible decision and place both boys for adoption as single males.
Dusty
Age: 4 years old
Sex: Male
Color: Standard Grey
Original Arrival Date: 1/30/2023…
Returned Date: 1/20/2024 ONE-YEAR CLUB
Cage Mate: NONE
Adoption Fee: $100.00
About Me:
Dusty came back to Cali_FID Rescue through no fault of his own. His first family had to move out of state and were heartbroken to part with him. His second family promised him the moon and stars, but when they moved to a new property and had to live in a trailer while building their dream home, they couldn’t find space for him. When they inquired about housing him outside, we advised against it. Sadly, they returned Dusty just days before their move.
Dusty is a petite little guy with the most beautiful whiskers. He spent a year happily living with another male in the rescue, but an unfortunate accident—a falling shelf that caused them both to panic—led to an altercation. Since then, Dusty has been unable to share a cage and is now adoptable as a single male.
This sweet boy is looking for one more chance at a forever home—a family that will keep their promises and give him the love and stability he deserves.
Age: MISSING Young/under 5 years.
Sex: Female
Color: Standard Grey
Original Arrival Date: 6/29/2024
Cage Mate: Oliva & Violet
Adoption Fee: $175.00 Together
About us: We have been held for at least 120 days to guarantee we are not pregnant. This is called a maternity hold, Chinchilla gestation is about 4 months! So we’ve been in-rescue at least that long.
Olivia - Olivia is a LARGE Chinchilla.
Violet - Violet is a Smaller Chinchilla.
These girls came from a very loving home that meticulously packed their belongings before bringing them to the rescue. Their owner was tragically facing homelessness, and the family member willing to take their owner ( a very young adult ) in was unable to accommodate everyone together.
More info about the girls coming soon.
Olivia & Violet
Age: 4 years old
Sex: Female
Color: Standard Grey
Original Arrival Date: 3/16/2024
Cage Mate: Roxy & Saige ( Mother & Daughter Pair )
Adoption Fee: $175.00 Together
About us: We have been held for at least 120 days to guarantee we are not pregnant. This is called a maternity hold, Chinchilla gestation is about 4 months! So we’ve been in rescue at least that long.
Foster update :
Roxy and Saige are two of the sweetest little chinchilla girls you’ll ever meet. There is no bias here from their foster mom. Roxy is the little ham that’s the first to come bounding to the door and get her tummy rubs and she stands right up for them. Saige is the little more subtle of the two but is also very curious and friendly. She also has bigger ears, but don’t tell her that! They both enjoy attention and affection through chin and behind-the-ear scratches. Once they get to know you, they will eagerly hop right in your hands or in your arms.
Roxy & Saige
Pumbaa, Copper & Todd
Age: 4 years old
Sex: Male
Color: Standard Grey, Beige, Light Ebony
Original Arrival Date: 1/30/2023…
Cage Mate: All together
Adoption Fee: $265 ( $300 - Group discount )
About us:
This trio was originally a happy quad, but unfortunately Timon was found in his hammock, and had passed away in his sleep. The other 3 are healthy, happy, and active. This loss was several weeks ago. Pumbaa, The standard grey has bright eyes, big ears, and is ROUND. Lights are own but nobody is home if you know what I mean. The beige, Copper, is a little foodie. He loves to eat healthy snacks from your hands. Todd the ebony is reserved but easy to handle. We believe this may be a sibling group.
Age: 11 years old
Sex: Male
Color: Dark Ebony
Original Arrival Date: 7/28/2024
Cage Mate: Alone but could benefit from another senior male. We did try to bond him and it was going wonderfully until a nearby cage with another bonding session broke out in a fight. While we were attending to that pair, the male we had with Bradley also reacted and felt threatened. He attacked Bradley. We have not had a single male available for pair bonding with Bradley.
Adoption Fee: $175
( $200 - $25 “senior” discount )
About me:
Bradley came to the rescue in a cardboard box after his second family surrendered him. We can't figure out why, because he is an adorable chinchilla full of energy and curiosity! He loves to climb up on your shoulders or the top of your head and he will happily chew on any stick you give him. He is a middle-aged chinchilla (11 years old) but has the energy of a youngster and will certainly bring you many years of joy and love. His fur is incredibly soft and he keeps his whiskers meticulously groomed. He has some very cute traits, like cocking his head sideways when he hears a strange noise or trying to execute daredevil jumps from the top of his dust bath.
Bradley
Age: 5 years old
Sex: Male
Color: Wilson White “ Mosaic “
Original Arrival Date: 7/25-28/2024
Cage Mate: Twist may not do well with cage mates.
Adoption Fee: $250
About me:
I am a small boy. I have warmed up to my foster families well, but I still like to twist around if you poke my butt.
Twist may not do well with cage mates. He was previously housed with his brothers and mother, which led to fighting. This poses a dangerous risk of inbreeding. Animals from rescues or 'random' backgrounds should never be used for breeding, as it is unethical and can lead to serious health and behavioral issues. Additionally, Twist may exhibit aggression toward new male companions and should not have access to females.
Twist
Age: 5 years old
Sex: Male
Color: Wilson White “ Mosaic “
Original Arrival Date: 7/25-28/2024
Cage Mate: Baggins may not do well with cage mates.
Adoption Fee: $250
About me:
I am a small boy. More details to come soon.
Baggins may not do well with cage mates. He was previously housed with his brothers and mother, which led to fighting. This poses a dangerous risk of inbreeding. Animals from rescues or 'random' backgrounds should never be used for breeding, as it is unethical and can lead to serious health and behavioral issues. Additionally, Twist may exhibit aggression toward new male companions and should not have access to females.
Baggins
Potter
Age: 5 years old
Sex: Male
Color: Wilson White “ Mosaic “
Original Arrival Date: 7/25-28/2024
Cage Mate: Potter may not do well with cage mates.
Adoption Fee: $250
About me:
I am a small boy. More details to come soon.
Potter may not do well with cage mates. He was previously housed with his brothers and mother, which led to fighting. This poses a dangerous risk of inbreeding. Animals from rescues or 'random' backgrounds should never be used for breeding, as it is unethical and can lead to serious health and behavioral issues. Additionally, Twist may exhibit aggression toward new male companions and should not have access to females.
Annie
Age: 5 years old
Sex: Female
Color: Wilson White “ Mosaic “
Original Arrival Date: 7/25-28/2024
Cage Mate: Annie may not do well with cage mates.
Adoption Fee: $250
About me:
My name is Annie. I don’t like a lot of noise or change, but I am very friendly with people. I don’t mind being held and loved if you pet me. I really want a human of my own. I was bred unethically in my prior home and sold to an unsuspecting family who tried to separate us all. My sons all fight over me. I am nervous around new chinchillas because of their behavior. I should never be bred. Ever. The rescue is attempting to find me a female cage mate, but I may be adopted as a single lady.
Molly
Age: Staff was told 8 old, surrender form stated 2 years, we believe 2 years to be most accurate. She’s very small - Likely closer to one.
Sex: Female ( but surrender form stated male. )
Color: Standard Grey
Original Arrival Date: 8/21/24
Cage Mate: None
Adoption Fee: $100
About me:
Molly was left at an LA animal shelter with a guinea pig. We believe they fought, as the guinea pig was missing fur on his back and Molly had missing/chewed fur in places she couldn’t physically reach on her own. The edges of her ears were bitten and scabbed, and a piece fell off after arriving. She needed a lot of TLC to gain healthy weight and grow back missing fur, and she’s now ready for adoption. We’re attempting to find her a friend in rescue. Molly takes a little longer to find trust for a human, but she does come around and shows a lot of interest in her hands. She just has to believe you’ll be gentle and kind to her. We believe she was raised with little interaction.
To adopt a completed adoption application is required. The contact form below is NOT an application.
Visit Cali_FID Parrot and Exotics Rescue Sanctuary to apply for adoption.
Contact us.
If you have another question related to the volunteer work we do with Cali_FID Parrot and Exotic Rescue please send us a message.
Please remember, we’re just volunteers helping the rescue get in touch with Chinchilla owners, because who better to ask for help than people who love their Chinchillas?
If you need to surrender your pet, you may reach out here but you will be redirected to the rescue’s website and placed on a surrender list due to the rescue being limited to foster homes.
The information you provide below will be shared with Cali_FID Parrot and Exotic Rescue Sanctuary for the sole purpose of helping you with your pet, or to assist you with getting started as a volunteer. We don’t sell your information.