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.  

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.

For the month of March, thirty-four (34!) chinchillas were surrendered, and twelve (12) were adopted. 

Last month we had the Montgomery County mass surrender, plus our "usual" number of surrenders on top of that. On average, this type of mass influx seems to happen two or three times per year. We are very fortunate to have met so many kindhearted people who are interested in providing a loving home for the chinchillas in our care. And the outpouring of support by store orders, food and supplies donations and even monetary ($) donations has been a blessed relief.

The mass group has been doing very well since they've arrived. We've moved all the females into a huge baby safe cage where they can continue living together while on maternity watch. One female has already produced kits; one boy, one girl. The babies weighed in at the typical 41 and 44 grams. Considering the size and condition of the mother, this is quite miraculous! 

Four of the Montgomery boys have been adopted to two different homes. We have also learned just which of the boys love or hate each other and have divided them according to their preferences. At this time, we have two pairs and one group of 4 left, plus about 20 or so other chins who are waiting to meet their future families. 

Why adopt a rescue? 

These chinchillas depend on us to keep them comfortable, fed and loved. Usually, when chinchillas are surrendered, they have passed the adorable, but crazy baby stage and settled into their personalities. By that time the former owners have either lost interest, developed allergies, or had some sort of life-changing event which caused them to have to give up their pets. The little critters deserve a second chance! Baby cuteness is what makes pet stores thrive, but that period of time is very, very short. With and animal that lives up to 20 years, that opportunity for adoption is like a blink of an eye.

When you adopt from us, we provide a no kidding, honest assessment of their personalities and potential.  We also present a crash course in chin care and handling, with lifetime support. We make sure each adoptive home is properly equipped to ensure a full and happy life for the fuzzbutts, but the rest is up to you.

Now who is up to the challenge?

For the month of February, six (6) chinchillas were surrendered and nine (9) chinchillas were adopted.

We received word yesterday that Montgomery County Humane in Maryland got in a mixed group of over 26 chinchillas surrendered by one family! The wonderful folks at the humane society did an amazing job sexing and dividing the groups into male and female. Unfortunately, three of the chins had to be euthanized before we could help evaluate and assist. 

The group appears to be the result of a family left to breed without restraint. The size and condition of all 26 chinchillas is heartbreaking. Several have torn and chewed up ears. Most are fur chewed and all are grossly underweight. We are grateful that the family finally surrendered the group where they could receive the care they need.

At this time the chins are undergoing evaluation for health, behavior and possible pregnancies. 

While most of the time the surrenders we receive are from truly concerned folks who for whatever reason can't keep their pets, occasions such as this underscore the rescue aspect of Whimsy's Menagerie & Chinchilla Rescue. 

Your adoption fees and store purchases go to support such efforts as this. If you would like to contribute, or even better, make a store purchase, your donation or order would be humbly appreciated.