Question:
I know I can be paranoid when it comes to germs but when it comes to my animals, I am even more paranoid. Is it safe to allow people to go in your chin room as long as they don't handle the animals? I have heard of a few large scale breeders that do not allow people to enter their chin room. On the other hand, ranchers do allow people in their barns and the breeder I just bought Lexi and Shadow from let us in her barn.
What are your thoughts on this?


Answer:
Interesting question, I've never thought about it.
I don't have much of a choice since they boys live in my kitchen and all my visitors usually step into the kitchen at some point. But I dunno... if the chins are never exposed to anything their immune system will be crappy and they'll get really ill if they are exposed to something big. At least that's my theory, I could be wrong.


Answer:
That is an interesting question Denise. I allow most people to hold the chins, as long as I know that they can do so safely. However, not many people want to take a try at it (including Jason, lol) so they aren't really exposed to too many people. I think that if I were a breeder and really had to be careful about strangers coming into my chin room, I would make sure that they all washed their hands first.


Answer:
I keep that hand sanitizing gel for those occasions (make sure it's dry before touching the chins of course). I've had two people come to me to get a chin and have let them both see my chins and my setup. I would feel kind of like a breeder was hiding something if they didn't let me at least see the chins, you know? I want to know they're coming from a clean, healthy environment.


Answer:
I agree, if a breeder refused to let me see their chins, I would be worried. But for larger breeders, having people coming and going all the time can get dangerous as well. What kind of sanitizer do you use? Do you use it yourself instead of washing your hands?


Answer:
I guess I should have stated why I asked the question. The reason why I asked is because there is family coming in from out of town this weekend and there is the possibility they may want to come over to our place and of course they will want to see the chins. I guess as long as they don't handle the animals, it should be pretty safe.


Answer:
I always let people into my animal room, including tours of kids who came to see and touch the animals. I was never worried about infection. I was more worried about the kids picking something up (I had a lot of reptiles) and always had them wash their hands after.


Answer:
I haven't sold any kits yet(haven't even had any born), but I have let my friends both from the internet that I have purchased chins from(and in one case, someone from a forum tagged along with a breeder I have bought from). They were allowed in my critter room, and of course, were allowed to touch them. But I do trust the people I allow into my animal room.
I've been to several breeders houses to pick up animals, and only one actually brought the animal out for me. I didn't think anything at the time, but now, would prefer to see the breeders set up. Make sure the animals are kept well, as I don't want to buy from someone who doesn't take good care of their animals.


Answer:
I let people in to the chin room to see my set up and animals, though I insist on being with them every time, and that they wash their hands before going in. If I am not comfortable with certain people, I never let them near the chin room.


Answer:
I let people into my critter room all the time. I'm not concerned about germ/virus transfer. I could bring it in just as easily as other people.
I feel that it's the responsibility of the breeder to allow their "customers" to see their chins/setup before purchase if the customers want to. I want to know that the chins come from a good place when I'm buying them and I like my chinnies future families to be able to say the same. Letting them come and see and maybe even handle a few chins also gives people an idea of what my chins personalities are like and what to expect from their new baby (most people I sell to are new to owning chins or have only had a pet store chin that wasn't very friendly.) My chins are in my bedroom where I have a futon. When people come to visit, I put the futon up so its a couch and have them sit down and let the chinnies run around on it. That way I don't have to worry about anyone being dropped and if someone is not comfortable with holding them, they still have the oportunity to visit and pet the chins.
I think if you are concerned just have the people wash their hands. My thinking is that if this is someone who may take one of the chins home with them, they're going to be exposed to whatever those people are carrying anyway. JMO.