How to tell a reputable site

1. It is easy to navigate.

2. It is organized, and easy to read and understand.

3. The information is consistent. For example, say someone has a link to PETA as a decent resource, then they go on to say how horrible they are.

4. Information is not misapplied from other species. For example, there is a study that says that if rabbits go without food, they will start to develop fatty liver. If the site goes on to apply that to chinchillas, making the same claim with no supporting evidence, the information is being misapplied.

5. Claims are not linked back to easily changed online articles such as those that appear on Wikipedia.

6. "Evidence" is not gathered about the efficacy of a product by linking back to claims made by the people who make and sell that product. For example, Nike would make the claim that they make the best shoes in the world, because they would directly benefit from sales of their shoes. It would not be trustworthy, then, for me to say "Nikes are the best shoes in the world" and then provide a link to Nike's site, which makes that claim. That is basically saying "Nikes are the best shoes in the world! See? They say so themselves!" Nevermind that almost every other shoe company makes that same claim. 

7. It does not tell you what to think, but instead offers up information and allows you to make your own decisions.

Links

Rescues

We either personally know the people that run these rescues, and/or we've visited them on several occasions, and/or we've investigated them as is thoroughly possible.

Jayda's Critter House is located in Michigan. They have chinchillas, rats and rabbits for adoption. They also have pedigreed rats and chins for adoption.

Red Door Animal Shelter is located in Chicago. They are one of the few rescues in the country that rescue rabbits along with cats and dogs.

Hawkeye Chinchilla Ranch is located in Kentucky. They have chinchillas for sale and adoption.

Chin Stores that Support Rescues

Nick's Animal Place Store sponsors several rescues, and also supports individual animals at rescues across the country.

Pet Products By Nature lets customers buy wood for chinchilla rescues, and ships the wood to the rescue of the customer's choice. We have been accepted as a Rescue In Need at PPBN, so anyone can buy wood that Barbi will ship to us for our rescue and sanctuary chins! Email her to make sure you get the special price she offers for rescues. We will gladly take any kind of wood, we go through that more than anything else.

TJ's Chinchilla Supplies lets customers buy toys for chinchilla rescues, that they then send to the proper rescues. An excellent selection of chinchilla-safe supplies and toys.

Wunderchins! supports Finally Home Chinchillas and Jayda's Critter House. They also hold occasional fundraisers to sponsor toys for other rescues, such as The Red Door Animal Shelter in Chicago.

Informational Sites

Forums:

Nick's Animal Place Forums

Wunderchins Forums

Advocacy Sites:

Fur Free Alliance

House Rabbit Society

Humane Society of the United States

Make Mine Chocolate

Nick's Animal Place

Web Sites: