The Chinchilla’s have requested that I add a ‘Wish List’ to their site.
This is for items that they like having and items that they seem to constantly require. They have requested that their fun things go first, above all else - typical of them I’d say.
Toys - pieces of untreated pine, pine bark, pumice, cuttlefish and what they really like are Lava Bites. Sisal rope and only sisal rope as this is biodegradable and unlike cotton, will not cause them to choke if chewed at. Hay balls - although I think in pet shops they are called ‘ Hanging Vege baskets’, but I use these for putting their hay inside and use the chain part to thread pumice, wooden blocks and bark onto so it serves as a ‘toy’ as well as a hay ball.
Hammocks and polar fleece - they all like having their own hammocks and often, if there is an influx, I tend to cut bigger pieces of fleece up and hang these in their cages until I can get something more suitable, but even decent size pieces of fleece do the job just as well, and they also go through the wash having extra pieces allows the chins to still have a hammock in their cages while their normal ones are being washed. With older, sick and extreme fur chewed chinchilla’s - I do have more fleece in their cages to keep them warm.
Food Items - all the rescues and rehomes are fed strictly Kaytee Chinchilla Pellets, lucerne chaff and good quality hay. I currently go through 2 bags of pellets each evening. This is what I call their stable diet. As extra treats they get baked treats (that I make myself), a herb mix, supplement mix and dried (chemical free) rosehips. When I can afford it - I do buy Alfalfa Slims or Vita Special, which is another product that Vitakraft make.
Cages - these are still required at the rescue and basically any cage can be adapted for a chinchilla, but the bar spacing should not be wider than one inch, this is because some of the smaller chin’s can get through the gaps. I do use smaller cages (60cms high, 60cms wide, 36cms deep) for quarantine cages when new chinchilla’s arrive and have their issues worked on then they go into bigger, permanent cages. I, personally, have no cages with a ‘wire’ base. I prefer the chinchilla’s to be on solid floors .
Miscellaneous Items - things like water bottles, untreated dry sawdust, old (not ripped) sheets - single, double or queen sized as these cover the wire cages I have keeping the drafts off them and allowing them some privacy and the various sizes are great due to the different sized cages I have. They do need replacing from time to time as the chins love pulling them through and ripping at them and it’s when this happens that they need to be replaced so they don’t ingest any of the cotton. Food dishes are always needed and can be basically anything so long it isn’t plastic as the chinchilla’s will chew at this and it can be harmful and ones that ‘clamp‘ onto the cage are even better as they chins do enjoy clanking their dishes around the cage if they are not attached. Small brush and shovel - the plastic sort as I also go through these a fair bit as they are used constantly for cleaning the cages and sweeping up their rooms. Bowls that would be big enough for them to bathe in when they have their dust baths.
Veterinary Treatment - new arrivals have a minimum of three vet visits within the first four months of arriving. If a chinchilla here needs to go and see the vet - they go. I never hesitate in getting any of the rescues or rehomes to the vet when needed and that applies to new arrivals. I have the upmost confidence in my vets and their staff and will be staying with their clinic. Any assistance whatsoever with my vet account is appreciated - my vet clinic is Vetcall and they can be contacted via their website http://www.vetcall.co.nz.
If you would like to make a 'Wish List Item' donation the address to send it to is: Tanzy's Chinchilla Rescue NZ, c/- 407 Hills Road, Mairehau, Christchurch 8052, and please be assured - it will make it's way to the Chinchilla's here and please do remember a return address as the chinchilla’s do like to acknowledge items received.
If you would like to make a donation - the account details are Tanzy’s Chinchilla Rescue NZ, Kiwibank, account number 38 9007 0809700 00. If you are wanting the money to be spent on a specific chinchilla - please use the chins name in the transaction and please to email me at tanzychins@gmail.com so I can issue a receipt as this can be claimed as a tax rebate.
Thank you for your time.
Lycia - on behalf of the Chinchilla’s who cannot type - although they do enjoy running over the keyboard.
