Wow! The month of June just flew past! If you are one of our Facebook fans, you know the daily happenings have kept us busy, busy, busy!

*cough* But I digress....

For the month of June, nine (9) chinchillas were surrendered, and nine (9) chinchillas were adopted. We are also currently boarding nine (9) chinchillas here for summer vacations. 9, 9, 9....creepy.

It was an interesting month where the number of adoptions looked like we were finally winning back some elbow room, then, 4 more chinchillas came in on the very last day. (Party crashers.) :P 

But we have some exciting news!

The girls of the mass surrender from the Montgomery County Humane Society have passed their maternity watch and are now available for adoption! Of the 14 females, only 5 actually littered. Several other females showed initial signs of pregnancy, but we suspect the impact of the changes in their little furry lives caused the kits to be reabsorbed. This is actually a blessed relief.

Animal shelters all across the country are having a difficult time placing unwanted animals into homes. Even we have seriously started thinking it may come to the point where we would have to turn away those inquiring about surrendering their pets. We have NEVER in the past had to do this, but our moderately sized home, even with the chinchilla room extension, is unusually swollen with chinchillas waiting for new families. So I have an offer for you. Yes, you!

Like the McRib sandwich, like Shamrock Shakes, like religious freedom in America, for a limited time, anyone willing to adopt 3 or more of the Montgomery county girls, and promise to keep them together, we will give a totally free, (albeit ugly) cage large enough to house a group.

Hear me out. It is just as easy to care for a group of chins sharing the same cage as it is to care for one chinchilla. Plus, our very low-cost supplies make chin ownership cheap enough for even a child paying for upkeep with their allowance. 

We strongly prefer chins in groups and these girls are perfect for someone looking to adopt a herd of their own.  In the event something happens to one of them, the remaining chins still have each other for company. See the logic? I hope so.

Yes, we are available on nights, weekends, most holidays, etc, etc, etc. We only ask that potential adopters follow the guidelines listed on the Adoptions page and email to set up an appointment to meet the chins. We're looking forward to hearing from you. :)

For the month of May, seven (7) chinchillas were surrendered, and four (4) chinchillas were adopted.  Ouch! It's been an especially low month for adoptions, but we've gotten many, many inquiries from people who are waiting for summer break to adopt. 

We've also had the privilege this month of helping three families find a new fur friend for their chinchilla(s).  Introducing chins is not for the faint of heart! Sometimes, unknowing newbies get lucky when they toss a couple of chins together and they get along right away. Many times, however, the results are disastrous. Chinchillas, if not properly introduced or socialized, WILL fight to the death. A chinchilla introduction can be quite unnerving and risky.

With the countless numbers of single chinchillas who come through our doors, we've had plenty of experience with bonding the lonely ones. A rare few are determined unsafe to put with other chins. For this reason, we don't often have single chins available to pair with those seeking a friend for their chinchilla.

Lately we've had the opportunity to accommodate those requests now that the Maryland mass surrender from Montgomery County is becoming available. Of the nearly 30 chinchillas that came to us back in March, all of the young males have gone to new homes. Of the females, five of them have littered so far and with their exceptionally long gestation period, we may still see more. The first two babies have gone to new homes with the third one spoken for already! 

In the meantime, we still have roughly 100 chinchillas here who are in our care. Some of them are on maternity watch, some are undergoing medical care, others are under quarantine and observation while still others are simply waiting for their new families to find them.  Please remember, your donation and/or store purchase helps us keep our ministry to these exceptional pets strong. 

Which reminds me!...

Before I forget, thank you Shawn, for the kiwi wood donation and the exercise wheel.

Thank you, Denise, for the flowers and cookies. 

Thank you, Ann, for your never-ending supply of donuts and all the volunteer cage cleaning, chin scritching, and rant listening. 

Thank you, Ken, for the cage donations and pear wood. 

Thank you, Jay, for the new computer and camera!

Thank you, Jamie, for including us in your new song/video and your unfailing extra monetary support. 

And thank you to everyone who has rounded up the payment on their store purchases!

The outpouring of community support and all around goodwill has us overcome with joy. It's been a pleasure serving the chins and all our new and old friends.  

This weekend we removed several chinchillas from horrid conditions. A person alleging to be a rescue and rehabber was seriously putting the animals at risk. Just because someone professes to be a rescue, does not necessarily legitimize the claim.

Sometimes weakly distinctive lines exist between rescuing, hoarding and collecting. A true rescue will improve the lives of the animals in their charge. A rescue makes sure the animals have plenty of proper food, water, and housing. At the very least, all the basic needs are fulfilled without reserve. A rescue’s objective should be to rehabilitate and re-home, not amass. Although with the economy the way it is currently, finding homes for unwanted animals can be an excruciatingly slow process.

There are gradients of goodness to animal rescue groups. We always strongly suggest that anyone who is considering giving up a pet, check out the facility first. A concerned pet owner will want to know that their furry friend is going to be taken care of. The best facilities should be clean, welcoming, with personnel willing to spend time answering any and all questions. A red flag for a highly questionable rescue is one that operates as strictly pick up only, or arranges to meet in a public place. A public facility that has an overpowering stench, empty food and water bowls, especially where the animals are already emaciated, and uptight staff are not going to be an ideal place to surrender your previously beloved member of the family.  

Animal hoarding is a psychological condition where a person sincerely loves animals and wants to help, but becomes overburdened by the responsibilities of care and provision. They simply cannot bear the thought of giving up a pet even if it means the animal suffers. When a person cannot financially support the animals in their care, some serious reconsideration should be implemented. 

A person with a lot of pets is not necessarily hoarding. Recall that the difference lies in the fact that the animal’s needs are met. Where one person can have difficulty providing for a single pet, others are perfectly at ease managing entire farms. It’s a matter of personal strength and ability.

Animal rescue is a noble goal, but it requires a lot of time, a lot of experience, and a lot of money. We are fortunate to have sufficient quantities of each. ;) As a home school family, we have the time. As long-time chinchilla owners, we have specialized experience. And operating the affiliated chinchilla supplies store, adoption fees and donations fund the rescue work. With the incredible amount of community support we have, we are able to do our job well! Thank you all for your past and future support.

Well....May is supposed to be National Adopt a Pet Month. It being midway through the month, I can understand why this particular season was chosen. By this time of the year, many live Christmas gifts have lost their appeal and many young animals are given up when they are well past the cute baby phase. 

To help address the vast numbers of unwanted pets, the North Shore Animal League America is hosting a 2012 Pet Adoptathon. http://http//www.animalleague.org/events-news/events/tours-events/pet-adoptathon-2012.html This is our second year partaking in the event. This year we have more chinchillas than ever who need good, safe, loving homes.

While we have received countless inquires from people interested in adopting, many of them fall prey to the impulse buy of a pet store animal or cheap "for sale" ad from someone who wants to recoup their losses. This is a particular pet peeve of Whimsy's. In no way is buying from a pet store or a backyard breeder considered "rescuing" an animal, no matter how pitiful the conditions.  When an animal is bought and sold, there is always another to replace the sad little creature. So why support this? Pet stores focus on what sells. A pet store will not advise when a chin is in trouble, other than to refer a worried owner to the vet, or to us ;) Thank you, mystery person at the local PetSmart.  

Is it because of our reputation for the excellent care we give these animals that perhaps is our own worst enemy? Our chin room is far from the horrific conditions seen in pet stores and even the sparse enclosures one would find in most humane societies or animal control facilities. But these chins were never meant to be here permanently. They need homes where they can receive an abundance of one-on-one attention...even more than we can provide. 

Our primary goal here is to ensure that each chinchilla is paired with another of his or her own gender, to discourage perpetuating the countless numbers of unwanted chins, but keep their need for herd living intact. We also screen and teach each potential adoptive family about chin care and handling, as well as offer lifelong support and advice. 

Your adoption fees and store purchases are applied directly to the care, vet costs and upkeep of those chinchillas with whom we are entrusted. When we are able to re-home sweet tempered, healthy chins, this frees up room and time to help the mass surrenders and medical cases that inevitably come our way. 

Won't you please help us help the animals? We have at least30 chinchillas who are ready to go to new homes right now. But if you hold off for an opportune time, you may miss out on finding your best friend. First come, first choice. ;) So, which of the chins will choose you?

For the month of April, five (5) chinchillas were surrendered, and (7) chinchillas were adopted. It's been an interesting balance, but we did also take in 3 chins for boarding this month. Out of necessity, we've expanded the chinchilla room, yet again. Whimsy is digging in her heels to keep from moving her office out of the chin area. Instead, we're strategically moving appliances. ;)

On a totally different note, we've been contemplating the variety of folks who contact us regarding adoption. Many times it's a sheer joy to meet people whose hearts are reaching out to give a home to an unwanted animal. Other times it's rather disheartening to know that some come to us with less than heroic intentions. Some unabashedly call looking for cheap exotic animals to breed. Others want a play toy for their children with absolutely no idea about the requirements for housing, food, handling, etc. And then there's always the joker who wants to adopt and inquires about how many chins it takes to make a fur coat. It was amusing the first time, and the answer is 150 for a short coat. Now can we get serious? 

Is it any wonder why we require a signed contract?

The sad part happens when we take in and care for these animals, do our best to screen for a good home, adopt the chinnies out, and never hear from the adoptive family again. We truly want to know that the fuzzbutts are well, and it's frustrating when, months later sometimes chins are returned with crappy pet store food and treats and filthy cages. *gasp!* Did I say that out loud?

We DO appreciate those who stay in contact, continue their chins on the same high quality food, treats and chew toys that we offer and keep us updated on the fur babies. We want to help! Stuff happens. Emergencies happen and it's not necessarily the fault of the adoptive family. If something goes terribly wrong, we can assist.