79+ Chinchilla Breeders Near You [For Sale]

How To Choose a Chinchilla Breeder

*We’ve got a full list of chinchilla breeders just down the page. Scroll or click through the table of contents below to reach your U.S. State:

Table of Contents

Owning a chinchilla is a big responsibility. Most domesticated rodents like hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, and mice live for less than ten years. When properly cared for, a chinchilla can live up to 20 years. This little guy is going to be around for a while.

Before you adopt or buy a chinchilla, make sure that you find a trustworthy chinchilla breeder. There are several ways you can tell if a breeder is trustworthy, by observing both the breeder’s behavior when interacting with you and the condition of the chinchillas themselves.

Should You Avoid a Pet Store?

Cute white chinchilla is eating hay from metal bowl in its house.

When looking for a new chinchilla, we don’t recommend going to a pet store. Pet stores typically buy chinchillas and other animals in large quantities to save money on the purchase. Not all pet stores buy their chinchillas from wholesalers, but a lot of them do.

It’s much more advisable to adopt, rescue, or buy a chinchilla directly from a breeder since they are more likely to be healthy and kept in suitable conditions.

A chinchilla wholesaler is similar to a puppy mill. The chinchillas bred there are sold in large quantities, and many of them are sick or injured from living in crowded cages without enough food and water.

How to Find a Breeder You Can Trust

Light and dark pastel

The best way to find a reputable breeder is to ask other chinchilla owners in your area. Join an online group for chinchilla owners and ask for advice. Read testimonials that chinchilla owners have written about breeders in your area.

Once you’ve found a breeder who seems professional, ask to see where the chinchillas are kept. The chinchillas should have enough space and get enough food and water. A breeder who is hesitant to let you visit probably has something to hide.

What Questions Should You Ask the Breeder?

Chinchilla breeders should have no problem answering your questions. Breeders who avoid questions or act shifty are probably trying to make a quick sale. When visiting, ask the breeder questions about their chinchillas. This shows that you are a thoughtful customer and gives them an opportunity to prove they can be trusted.

Are They Asking You Questions, As Well?

A breeder who has the best interests of their chinchillas in mind will ask you questions, too. They will want to know what you plan to feed the chinchilla if you have already bought a suitable cage and if you are prepared to take care of a chinchilla for the next 10-15 years.

Characteristics of a Healthy Chinchilla

A healthy chinchilla has bright, shiny eyes. They are energetic and alert and accustomed to being held by humans.

Check the chinchilla’s teeth. They should be even when the chinchilla’s mouth is closed. A chinchilla’s teeth constantly grow, so they should have chew toys to keep their teeth from growing too long.

What Are Signs of an Illness

In addition to being able to recognize a healthy chinchilla, you should also be able to tell if a chinchilla is sick or neglected. Here are some red flags to watch for:

Discharge from eyes, ears, or nose.
Lethargy.
Diarrhea.

Matts in their fur or patches are missing
Scratches, bites, or other wounds
Labored breathing.

Unhealthy weight.

Why You Should Work With a Chinchilla Breeder

A wholesaler or a chinchilla mill churns out animals with profit in mind. Since the pet stores that buy from chinchilla mills are bigger companies, negative reviews don’t impact them as much. Breeders are generally small business owners and not chain stores, and the quality of their business is more important to them. Read more about chinchilla pricing.

Are the Chinchillas Old Enough to Leave Their Mother?

Chinchilla kits need their mother’s milk for at least the first eight weeks of their lives. Once they are weaned, they are ready to leave their mother. Kits are usually ready to leave their mother between 8 and 12 weeks old.

The breeder should be taking good care of chinchilla kits by handling them often to get them used to human contact, weighing them to monitor growth, and hand-feeding the kits that are underweight.

Does the Breeder Offer a Warranty?

When you adopt or rescue a chinchilla, make sure the breeder offers a warranty of some kind. You want to have a way to return the chinchilla if it turns out to have serious health problems. A lot of shady animal sellers will try to sell you a chinchilla without a return or reimbursement policy of any kind.

How Much Post-Purchase Communication Or Follow-Up Care is Offered?

The breeder should indicate that they are available for post-purchase communication. They should be available and willing to help and advise you even after the sale. They want to make sure that their chinchillas have everything they need to adjust to their new home, and they want you to be the best new pet owner you can be.

What Are the Chinchillas’ Living Conditions Like?

When visiting a chinchilla breeder, make sure the chinchillas are being kept in suitable living conditions. This includes enough hay and chinchilla pellets to eat, for a healthy diet; plenty of fresh water, and objects to chew on to maintain their teeth.

They should have plenty of bedding that is regularly changed and a multi-tiered cage with plenty of room for exercise. Chinchillas are very social and like having another chinchilla as their “roommate.” A chinchilla requires at least 2 by 2 square feet of space. If multiple chinchillas are in one cage, make sure there is 2 by 2 square feet of space per chinchilla.

Is the Breeder in a Local Chinchilla Association?

If a breeder is part of a local chinchilla association, this is a sign that they care about their animals and see them as more than just products. They are probably well-known to other breeders in the association. If they are part of a group like this, you will be able to find plenty of people in the group to vouch for them.

Finding a reputable breeder when you choose to add a chinchilla to your family is essential to the well-being of your furry friend. By considering these steps, you may have a pet to spend your next 20 years with.

U.S. Chinchilla Breeders By State

Alabama

We haven’t found any Alabama breeders, but you can check out this Alabama chinchilla Facebook Group to try sourcing one in the state. You can also check out Petco or PetSmart- while not a breeder, they do sell chinchillas.

Alaska

Breeder: Troll Under The Bridge Rabbits & Chinchillas
Location: Wasilla, Alaska

Contact:

Facebook
email: aktroll@mtaonline.net

Arizona

Breeder: AZ Chins
Location: Sahuarita, AZ

Contact:

Website
email: chinnies@azchins.com

Phone:
(520) 399-3697
(520) 490-7873

Breeder: AZ Pocket Angels Pet Rescue
Tierney Sheffer
Location: Tucson, AZ

Contact:

Facebook

Phone:
(520) 401-9526

Arkansas

While we haven’t found any Arkansas breeders, you can also check out Petco or PetSmart- while not a breeder, they do frequently sell chinchillas.

California

*You can also check out this California Chinchilla rescue organization

Breeder: Furball Critters
Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Contact:

Website

Breeder: DJs Chinchillas
Location: Riverside, CA

Contact:

How To Choose a Chinchilla Breeder

Should You Avoid a Pet Store?

How to Find a Breeder You Can Trust

What Questions Should You Ask the Breeder?

Are They Asking You Questions, As Well?

Characteristics of a Healthy Chinchilla

What Are Signs of an Illness

Why You Should Work With a Chinchilla Breeder

Are the Chinchillas Old Enough to Leave Their Mother?

Does the Breeder Offer a Warranty?

How Much Post-Purchase Communication Or Follow-Up Care is Offered?

What Are the Chinchillas’ Living Conditions Like?

Is the Breeder in a Local Chinchilla Association?

U.S. Chinchilla Breeders By State

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming