Last week we received an email from another animal rescue organization asking us to take in some chinchillas they had acquired over the years. This weekend we received 17 new surrenders. All have been gender identified and regrouped to prevent any further breeding.

The chins are currently under quarantine and evaluation while we watch for signs of illness, pregnancy, or behavioral issues. 

In the near future we expect to offer a bonded pair of males and a related group of 5 females. Also in are two single males who we're hoping to bond with other single males who have been waiting for a same gender friend. A second large group had a male among them, so the entire mini-herd is on maternity watch for the next 4 months. Two kits are among the group. 

In the meantime, we currently have well over a dozen chins available for adoption. We are offering many of them complete with cages. Fortunately, we have lots of spare cages, but our most pressing need at the moment is for large, Super Pet brand glass water bottles. 

We keep our rescue group going with adoption fees, cage sales, store items and donations. Would you like to be a part of our good works?

Last weekend Whimsy went to a chinchilla show in Pennsylvania.  We brought some of our own chins and were very eager to see how they would be graded. Imagine our shock when three of our standard chinchillas won color phase champion, reserve color phase champion andfirst place ribbons! These were from a Shoots extra dark standard male and a sapphire female from Mish Irish's lines.

It just so happens these three were the very same kits whose mother had the uterine prolapse when they were just 6 weeks old. Unfortunately, their mother died post surgery from the complications. The kits were taken in by a surrogate mommy chin whose own kits were nearly the same age. Although she didn't nurse them, she did snuggle and groom them. 

We are all very happy to see how Zaporah, ZaraLinda and Zaine have grown!  Their mother did leave a legacy after all.

Bucky has a new friend!

Every now and then we get in a surrender who just steals our hearts. Bucky is one of those.  Bucky came to us more than a year ago from an owner who was heartbroken over her decision to let him go. But she knew that Bucky was unhappy where he was. He had started to chew his fur, and his owner felt the daycare center she had in her home was not conducive to a chin's happiness.

Our primary goal was to find him a gentle, same-gender friend to alleviate his stress. His first friend, Buffalo Bill (another fur chewer) and he got along well for many months...but Bill couldn't stand the temptation of being in the same room with females in heat. So he turned on Bucky. Buffalo Bill was adopted out as a single chin back during the Christmas season. Bucky had to resign himself to snuggling with his stuffed puppy until we could find him a suitable new friend.

Like people, chinchillas are social creatures and are much happier with a friend. (We strongly recommend that chins have a same-gender buddy unless they prove too aggressive to do so.)

Recently, a group of 8 chinchillas were surrendered as breeding pairs.  While we hate breaking up bonded pairs, we equally despise indiscriminate breeding!

Amid the group was an older male with a severe seizure disorder. His condition and gentle disposition made him a prime candidate to introduce to our Bucky.

Bucky and Methuselah have been together for a good , solid month now and are doing very well! We often find them snuggling and grooming each other, acting like lifelong friends. What a happy ending. :)

Don'cha just love spring?

This is the time of year when fresh newness and regeneration happens. This is the time of year when we hear about orphaned and injured wildlife. Bunnies, squirrels, baby birds are all adorable, but taking care of them requires special consideration.

The folks who work as trained, certified wildlife rehabilitation experts have what it takes to care for these unfortunate little ones...not to mention the certain legal qualifications. 

If you find an orphaned or injured wild animal, don't make the mistake of assuming care for it yourself. Some soft-hearted people have actually killed the little ones with kindness by trying to feed these critters similar, but deadly wrong foods.

If you live in the Hampton Roads area, check out http://www.wildliferesponse.org/ and call 757-543-7000 for help.

As usual, it was another exciting week. 12 chinchillas were surrendered from three different homes.

The first pair actually found a new home within days. It was one of the fastest turn arounds we've ever seen! It was a good thing too. Sometimes when bonded males come in together, once they catch the scent of females, they turn on their cagemate and fight for perceived mating privileges. Within two days this pair began the tell tale signs of a souring relationship. We were very happy when someone inquired about the boys the very day we posted them as available. Shadow and Twitter are now settling down in a new home surprisingly like their old one.

The same day, we received a phone call inquiring about surrendering 8 chinchillas. All the females were housed with males, so they are now on maternity watch while we try bonding the males. So far it's working out surprisingly well.

With this being said... we have lots of available chins. Prior to this weekend, we had over a dozen awaiting new homes. Our biggest concern is in rehoming some of the fuzzbutts who are ready to go. As we have a plethora of used cages available now, we are temporarily offering cages with a select few. Check out the adoptions page for more details.