We're a few days late in posting about our anniversary. Whimsy's Menagerie & Chinchilla Rescue has now been "officially" running for two years! What started out as a homeschool project has morphed into something much grander and more permanent.

We've come a long way since our modest beginnings where we first started out in the dining room...

The chins slowly took over...

Eventually, we had to move the operation into the converted garage where Whimsy had her office and spare room.

Not long after that, Whimsy gave up her office to the chins.

The website has had to grow to accommodate our growing reputation too. We began with Freewebs and the bare minimum with the free budget. Now, our daily visits, updates, store, videos and other information has caused us to continue expanding with help from friends like you.  we now have an amazing network of new chinfriends and others who appreciate and encourage the work we do here. Thank you all for your support!

To date, Whimsy's Menagerie has found homes for 58 chinchillas! But we have at least a dozen here who are looking for new homes. Christmas is coming...would you like to place a hold on a single, pair or trio?

Our two invalid chins who have been recovering from two different surgeries are now almost completely healed up. Kismet, the black velvet girl who needed the hind leg amputation is bumping along just fine now. She's learned how to adjust her remaining rear leg to compensate for the loss of the other. She rides low to the ground, but can still manage to hop and jump to the same high ledges as before her accident. Her stump is almost completely covered over by new fur and it's actually quite difficult to notice the loss.

Xanadu, the chin with the uterine prolapse, has been returned to her previous mate. Now that she cannot have any more kits, she can live happily ever after without concern for unplanned pregnancies. Shiloh is thrilled too. ;)

We're nearly caught up on paying off the vet fees. But we thought we'd run an upcoming holiday special to help work those costs off more quickly. If you're looking to treat your pet to some awesome new toys, or if you are looking for a creative gift idea for the chin lover you know, check out our store page.  We are working on gift "packages"....so check back often to see what we come up with. :)

Take a look at how much Xanadu has improved even since our last update! She's drinking water and nibbling hay on her own, and her bowel functions are steadily returning to normal. ;)

Running a chinchilla-specific rescue, (and having so many of them as our own pets) has allowed us to have a greater than usual amount of experience with every imaginable potential issue. We have learned from a wide range of...opportunities. I suppose this is why folks often call or email for advice. :)

Most recently though we've had the unfortunate affrontation with a prolapsed uterus. (click for picture - WARNING, graphic image!)

This is the second prolapse we've had to deal with, and both times it has occurred with the sapphire mutation. Our little mommy chin was rushed to the vet where she had to undergo emergency surgery and spay. Fortunately her kits were already 6 weeks old when it happened, so they were able to wean early without too much stress, but I sure hated to have to force them through this so young.

Xanadu has not been recovering well and needs some prayerful support. Surprisingly, she's still fighting the effects of her ordeal, and has started drinking on her own! We still have to syringe feed her, but she appears to be more receptive to it. She is very weak, but at least she's started pooing again.

It was nice of Xanadu to hold off on this emergency until we could finish paying off Kismet's amputation costs. :) Now we have a new goal to work toward.

Jimi and Jamie, a mother/daughter pair have successfully passed their 4 month maternity watch! Thankfully, neither one has turned up pregnant by the mixed grouping they came in. *Huge sigh of relief* These girls have really warmed up to people while here and have filled out too! Now all they need is someone to devote the kind of attention to them they are craving.

Eight other chinnies have come in this week from far and wide. A small group from Richmond, and a boy pair brought all the way from Maryland, and super sweet little Chili from the DC area. Let's not forget Puff, the one from Animal Control. We're hoping to match the singles up with a new friend. Is your boy chin looking for a gentle buddy? Let's try a soft intro! Would you like to devote all your time and attention to just one pet chinchilla? We have 4 singles available who just don't get along with other chins, but are people friendly.

So far we've had 3 chins go to new homes this month...but 8 have come in. We would love to balance out those numbers. Would you like to open your home to adopt? How about a sponsorship? Hmmm....now there's a neat new idea.....