We just got in a nice supply of fresh dry hay. If you're ready for a refill, now is the perfect time to come. (I tend to be more generous with the portions when there's an abundance) ;) We have two kinds available right now. We're all excited to try the new organic alfalfa orchard mix. It's a soft third cutting with a bunch of seed heads. Usually this is not what horse people want in their hay, but chins and bunnies love it. Ours are stuffing themselves now.

If you're looking for something richer, we also have straight alfalfa which is perfect for nursing mamas or those who need a calcium boost. If your chin is low on calcium, their teeth will show it. Have you checked your chinnies teeth lately? They should be nice and orange.

We received a phone call from the local Animal Control office yesterday. *duhn duhn dunnnnn scary music plays* It turns out they asked us to take in a chin someone brought to them. It appears our positive reputation has grown more than we imagined. We are honored to be so positively recognized by "the big guys" now.

The little chinnie they asked us to take is currently under evaluation. Check back for more information about Puff!

As a courtesy to a friend of ours in Richmond, we now have 5 new chinnies available for adoption. These little ones were part of a breeding project, but didn't make the cut for showing well or for continuing a particular line of genetics. They would make wonderful pets though and each needs a loving new home. Check out the adoptions page for more details.

We have also updated our store page with new items and pictures. We're still trying to figure out the most economical way to make and price these things, so please bear with us while we work out the kinks.

Also, check out our new FAQ page. We are currently working on adding all of the most common questions we've been asked here at the Menagerie. If you have a question to submit for us to include, you can contact us through that page.

The little chinnie with the amputation is doing very well! Her incision is nearly healed up, but her fur is very slow to start coming back in to cover the scar. She's eating on her own and has even managed to get to quite a high shelf in her enclosure. I'd say she's adjusting to being a tripod quite nicely.

Also, thanks to all who have supported the menagerie in the past couple of weeks, we've been able to bring in $500 toward paying off Kismet's surgery fees! 

Another happy bit of news is that 6 and a half chinnies have found new homes so far this month...

(The half being a chin on maternity watch who is not ready to rehome yet).

And....Karen and Adam are the second family to take us up on the FN for CN cage trade. Thanks Karen and Adam, I can't wait to show off your new split cage tomorrow!

Before I post today's update, please take a moment in remembrance of the victims of 9/11/2001...

It has been a very difficult past couple of weeks. A rescue hamster here developed a particularly aggressive form of cancer. What we thought was a perpetually full cheek pouch, turned out to be a tumor. For the first time ever, we had to have a critter put down. It was a very sad occasion.

Less than two weeks later, one of the chinnies broke her leg. Yesterday (Friday) she went in for surgery to have it amputated. The vet says the surgery went well and we can bring her home this morning.

Now this is where we need some help. The original estimate for the amputation was $1500! (Gasp!) Fortunately for us, our back-up exotics vet had pity and worked a fee that was much, much more within our grasp...but we still need to come up with $600.

If you've been considering upgrading a cage, adopting a chin, or showing your monetary support, now would be a perfect time to do so.

Please keep Kismet in your prayers as she heals up and gets used to being a tri-pod.