You must be careful when choosing the spot to keep your chinchilla cage. They require plenty of exercise so they will need to be allowed out of their cages to play. Young children must be supervised around them at all times. Birds are natural enemies of chinchilla's, so if you have a bird, you probably won't want a chinchilla. As timid as they are, even the sound of the bird will frighten it.
Most chinchillas are very timid and shy.
It will take a while before they get accustomed to you. If you are still interested in owning a chinchilla, please visit your local library and read up on this wonderful species. Both of you will be much happier because you did.