The first chinchilla’s to arrive would be Haylee and her two daughters Izzy and Enya, they are all greys. I brought them as rescues, from the same person who breed Tanzy, she said she got them from someone in Timaru who kept them outside in an aviary, I have no idea at all if this was the truth or a lie to make me think she didn't breed them, but knowing what I know - I highly doubt the three did come from Timaru! Haylee was eight months old when she gave birth to her two girls which is a result of inbreeding from Haylee's father. Needless to say it nearly killed Haylee having them and there is a constant worry they will develop health problems. They are all small, took a lot to earn their trust, but love running up to the cage when they see me, or more precisely - seeing what treat I have for them all. Izzy and Enya were born February 14th 2005 and Haylee I didn't get a date for but is eight months older than they are. I got them all when Izzy and Enya were 6 weeks old. Up until a year and a half ago they were all living together, but then they had a falling out and are now living separately, I have tried to re-introduce them, but it just stressed them out too much so they are all living seperately now. There are very clear signs that Haylee had her babies far too young - with her ‘hunched’ back, extremely curly tail and ‘big’ eyes, Izzy has no signs of being inbreed, either physically or health wise, but wee Enya does - with her Mum’s hunched back, curly tail and ‘big’ eyes.
My next one is Tamika, she came here when she was 10.5 years old and had been used for breeding constantly. She didn't even have a name - was simply called Granny. She is a grey. I was told she hated dust baths, would grunt and bark and spray. All she did was grunt occasionally, but that is understandable considering. She went through a diet change, as previously she was given stale lucerne and rabbit pellets and adapted really well. She's been here three years now and still doesn't know what some of her toys are for - but she loves her hammock. The first time she saw it my heart broke really. She sat in the shelf with her two paws on in and looked into it for 20 mins, I couldn't understand how a chin didn't know what a hammock was, but she went into it and if I can't see her from the outside of the cage now - I know she is in her hammock :) And no, she has not been breed from and is by herself having her most deserved rest. She took a year to let me rub under her chin. Now when the cage is open she will come up and stand on my hand and have a gook old looksie. She enjoys the odd cuddle and pat, but can slip back and become nervous. She is a gem though. Tamika I have had since August 2005, the same month I got Abbey and Benny.
The next two to arrive would have been Abbey and Benny, they came from the 'breeder' Tamika did, it was 5 days apart from Tams coming to when Abbey and Benny did and Abbey and Benny were breed from the same as Tam's was. Abbey was a chronic fur chewer (and Benny was the object of her fur chewing) and both hated being handled, they just hated it. I collected them and saw the cage they had and the 'thing' that was used for the dust bath. That is when I decided to leave them together to settle down before I seperated them. They went into a new cage, with new untreated pine shelving, heaps of toys, good hay, clean lucerne and not mouldy and slowly changed from rabbit pellets and chinchilla ones. And like Tam's - they had no idea on what a hammock was. It took four weeks for them to not grunt when I went to their cage, but handling Abbey was easy - she loves her cuddles, Benny was more skittery so it took a bit longer for him to adapt. With the chew toys and correct diet - Abbey stopped chewing Benny's fur and within 2 months Benny's fur slowly started to grow back. I didn't get exact dates for their age, but was told how old they were so I made my own birthday's up for them. Abbey was given 5th July for her birthday and the year she was born is 2000. Benny's is 13th September 2001. They were seperated seven months after arriving and doing well. I didn't want them to breed after being told that Abbey 'bites' her babies, unfortunately, I did leave them together too long and Abbey did have a baby which she promptly bit that much the baby died. It was then that I realised all the trauma she had gone through. She does like her cuddles and will stay so still on my arm when she is out soaking up the cuddles. Benny - well he loves moving but does like his ear scratches and tummy tickles. Abbey is beige and Benny is black velvet. Abbey is very happy living in her own big cage, while Benny shares his very happily with Tyson and Niko.
Next to arrive was Niko, a grey boy. He was born on 5th October 2005. I got him originally as I was told he was a she, so went over to meet the chinchilla and 'she' turned out to be a 'he', I didn't want to leave him so needless to say - he came home with me. The idea was to introduce a wee girl to Abbey so she would have a wee playmate, but Niko was in a small cage and I just didn't want to leave him there and thankfully I had one all set up which is fine for a permanent one. Any slight changes will set Niko off fur chewing (he came from cronic fur chewing lines), so I needed to be aware of that. He was beside the boys and once, when I moved his cage, he started on chewing and when I realised what it was moved him back and he stopped. He did have a bad habit of humping my hand as soon as I put it in his cage, after about a month of this I found a wee soft toy for him and popped that in and he loves his wee lamb, he carries it everywhere in his cage and the hand-humping has stopped - phewww. He doesn't want to be with other chins so thought the wee toy was the next best thing and it's worked. I got Niko when he was 10 weeks old. He has now been living with Benny and Tyson for over a year and not once has he chewed his fur, it's lovely seeing all three of them snuggled up.
Krystal was next to arrive. I actually saw her on Trademe a few times and no-one seemed interested so I thought I'd take her in and give her a home. I had a huge battle with her keeping weight on for 2 months I think in the end. For every gram she gained she seemed to loose the next day, but she was so friendly it was lovely. By the second month of her being here her weight stabilised nicely and she went into a bigger cage and she flourished. She is another one - as soon as the cage is open - she is out on your shoulder and she'll stay there for a bit then get on top of the cages and go visiting all the others. She is a very sociable wee thing :) and loves her tummy tickles - she'll pull my hand closer to her tummy and grow a right tanti when I move my hand away. I can't understand why no-one wanted her - she is just lovely. Krystal is a grey girl and was born on the 19th September 2005 and I got her when she was 6 months old.
Then there is Chico, he is a beige male and was also advertised on TradeMe. I've had him for 13 months now. He is neutered and I figured no-one would want a neutered chin, which I was told was correct as no-one showed any interest in him and his breeder was more than happy that he come here as he wasn't happy and she was concerned about him. But like Krystal, it was a huge battle getting him to eat and after weeks of up's and down's - yippeee - we got there. I was told of his past and understand he won't be a big chin, or the size of mine really, so that's ok - he is healthy and that's is what matters. He was born on the 8th January 2006. About four weeks after I was satisfied his weight was stable and he settled down, I introduced him to Krystal and they are both very settled with each other and another lovely match. Chico has learnt from Krystal that it's ok to get out of the cage on my arm and sit on my shoulder, but he also has a daft habit of when I am tending to the cages and he is out - he sits on the back of my legs. I've had Chico (his owner called him Scruffy, but I quickly changed that) for the past 2.5 years.
Mika was the next to arrive, yet another chin I saw on Trademe, his wee auction 'blurb' really touched my heart as he was 4 months old and just being seperated from living with a female and looked tiny. Some people who were bidding were asking all sorts of daft questions and I just knew he had to come here, so the bidding war started and I won (woohoo) I went to collect Mika on the 27th August 2007 and he has settled in very well. He is a very small chin and will always remain that way due to breeding, but he has a beautiful nature and as soon as the cage is open, he makes a jump for my shoulder and he is most content to go visiting the other chins.
Bandit came next, he is 18 months old when he came on the 2nd January 2008 and has three legs. He has three legs as one got amputated when he was playing in a rat wheel, but like that has slowed him down! I was told he had a ‘fiery’ nature, and yes, if you get too close and he doesn’t want you there, he will tell you off, but he also loves nothing more than giving noses kisses or getting his wee nose rubbed, he has settled in very well. If Bandit comes to you when the cage is open, he is more than happy to lay in your arms getting lots of cuddles and pats, but it has to be on his terms lol.
Kuzo and Ouzo were next in the door. They are father and son and have the most beautiful nature. Another club member sold me these two as he was very concerned about their fur chewing and size and while he tried to get them to stop, it wasn’t working, so the boys came on the 4th February 2008. I have to say it was hard seeing them, yes they were terribly fur chewed and the worst I have ever seen, but they were so skinny - you could feel their ribs, what felt like every bone in their body and also their spine and one is meant to be a year old and one 2 years old - there is no way you can tell the difference as they are both the same size and they had some old wounds on them. I am certainly not saying it was the club member’s fault at all, as it was all previous damage as I did see the briefly the day he got them and thought then “they will be some work”. The boys have been here just over two months now and the changes is just wonderful - putting weight on nicely and their fur has all grown back and is looking just wonderful. Since their arrival and incredible improvement’s Kuzo and Ouzo have now been separated, I was hoping to get them living peacefully together again, but now they are better and content, all they try to do to the other is ‘hump’, which upsets the recipient to no end, so to keep the peace and not cause either of them to slip back, they are living apart.
Jett arrived on 15th February 2008. He was brought as a black velvet 'rescue' prior to coming to me, along with his cage mate, she passed away and then he had a young male cage mate, but apparently they didn't get along too well and was calling out and fur chewing so he was offered to me so needless to say I brought him and while I knew he was coming he arrived on the 15th as that is when I could afford to buy him. He did call out a few times, but once he settled in he quickly stopped and I didn't see any evidence of him fur chewing. His age is given at approx 2 years when he came, but I think he'd about 3 years. He didn't arrive with his own date of birth, much like most of them really, so I gave him his own birthday, like I do with the others :) Jett has a beautiful nature and is very nosey, as soon as he hears the door open, he is at the front of the cage seeing what is going on and waiting for his cage door to open. It's been lovely seeing his personality develop.
Next to arrive is Dante on 23rd April 2008 (previously known as 'Squeaks'), I changed his name as I knew someone with the nickname "Squeaky" and I didn't like it. He adapted very well to his new name and comes over when called. Dante was kept with a female chin, prior to coming here, and he was viciously attacked by her when the owner was away, after all the care being given by his owner to help his wounds, the owner brought him here to remain permanently - so Dante is what I'd call a 'rehome' as the promise I gave was that he would remain in my care permanently. When Dante arrived, he was a tad underweight, which was understandable considering the wounds, and had some nasty wounds on his head still. The reaction of Dante going into his cage here was extremely unsettling, not only for myself, but his owner. I cannot say I have ever seen a chin, huddle in a corner and cry out. Dante had a very strong reaction and each time he called out I picked him up and just walked around with him, when he did it at night - I'd get up and pop him in my dressing gown and sit up in bed with him and after he settled/calmed down, I'd keep him there another 10 mins and then return him to his cage. After he had his vet appointment, I popped Dante in with Ouzo and this helped to no end, the unsettled feeling Dante had. He is now seperated from Ouzo and in his own cage. Ouzo tried being the dominant chinchilla of the cage and I didn't want anything to upset Dante, but by the time this happened - Dante was back to being a chinchilla and stopped calling out. Dante's wounds have healed up nicely, often while sitting up in bed with him, I'd gently rub his head (which is where most of them were), he still has a wee scar but most of his fru has grown around this now.
Then on the 17th of June 2008 Button and Leo arrived from the North Island. These two are from someone I knew and who's home situation changed and while she had other chinchilla's to rehome, the concern was with these two as one has an 'eye' issue and the other needs a very strict diet as there is a 'liver' issue going on. The lady I brought them off is friend's with the lady she got from them, who, I am pleased to say, is a friend of mine, so I have been very fortunate to be able to ask all sorts of questions and find out a lot about their history. Button is the one with the eye issue and it's since been confirmed as cateracts, it was irritated when she arrived, but after settling down, it has toned down somewhat. Leo is the one with the liver issue and he can never had anything sweet, sugary or anything with fats or oils. He was a tad fur chewed, but I did put that down to the stress of their journey. Once they went into their new cage, realised I will be a familiar sight and had a good dust bath - they soon came right. The original owner is kept informed of their progress and, like Dante, they are here on the understanding that they will remain in my care permanently as previously they have been shuffled around a fair bit. Yes, they are together as they are very bonded, but Leo was neutered so there is no worry about Button becoming pregnant. Both are shy and reserved, but are coming out of their shells nicely and while Leo is more outgoing than Button, I am delighted with the progress of them both. I did want them both to gain a bit more weight and get them onto Vitakraft chinchilla pellets - which has now happened. It's just a matter of keeping an eye on Button's eye and ensuring Leo get's all the right food.
Kazia arrived today (12th August 2008), she is a wee grey girl. Her owner contacted me about a 5 weeks ago now and needed a new home for her chin (Shilo) as she had a condition that her owner wasn't sure on how to treat. So it's been a waiting process waiting for the wee one to arrive, but she has now and is now in quaranteen. She is fur chewed, but I can't see any evidence of fungus which is what the owner was told she has, or mites, but she will be going to the vets just to have this confirmed. I have spent some time with her already and once she learns that I'm ok and not a threat, she will settle right in. She simply loves getting wee scratches by her ear and under her jaw.
My latest arrival is Tiffany, she came to me on 12th September 2008. The person who brought her to me was contacted about her and when he saw her, all he wanted to do was remove her and that's what happened. There is no history with her except she was living with her mate and he died. She was fur chewed quite badly and had a HUGE abcess on her jawline. I was warned she could be pregnant, but not knowig when they mated or how long he died before she was taken from the 'home' - we had no idea. But it did become evident she was pregnant and the concern was the abcess. I delayed the vet visit due to her pregnancy and also that she was simply not use to being handled, or really interacted with, my vets did know about her arrival and understood my concerns about handling her while pregnant and supported this my discision. The abcess did burst and I kept the area clean and trimmed her fur and so date, it's all cleared up. She did have her baby on October 29th 2008 and now bubs (I've named him Chokotah) is doing well and big enough, they'll both be going to the vets for an appointment. She is a wonderful Mum and raising Chokotah very well. I just assumed her mate was a grey like she is, but Chokotah is a beige, so guess her mate must have been too! It's been lovely having a baby chinchilla in the house and the result couldn't have been better - both are doing so well and all my fears laid to rest with what could have gone wrong. I have decided that Chokotah will remain here as well. I don't know if he should be classed as a rescue or not, but my plan is to get him living with Dante, he has a lovely nature as does Chokotah and I think it would help Dante having a same sexed friend.
On 13th January 2009 the girls arrived - Taya (homo beige), Ishla, Kailua (both hetero beige’s), Maddy and Xandra (both grey‘s). These girls were part of a group of 10 that needed a home and a group of us all put some money in to buy them all. The five girls that were housed together came to me, the pair of boys, single boy stayed in Wellington and one was humanely euthanised as she suffered blindness as well as severe neurological damage and the smaller female was paired up with a single female in the Wellington home, which helped her settle down and gain the weight she desperately needed. It did take some time for the girls to settle down and while they have been here 6 months now - I am amazed at their progress and how friendly they are becoming. The only one I had concerns about was Taya as her weight was very low and as soon as she gained even a gram - she’d loose 3 it seemed, she had her check-up though and thankfully her teeth are fine and the eye cream soon cleared up her weepy eye. But they are all doing great and now Taya is finally over 420grams and actually maintaining her weight now - phew!
Kahma (a standard grey) arrived next, she came on the 2nd April 2009. I was contacted by an owner of a Pet Shop in Wellington who had concerns about her fur chewing and that she wanted her to go to a home with experience as Kahma (not her name then) is 11 years old and more so if anything happened with her getting older. So after a few weeks of being in her Foster Home, she arrived by the Pet Bus on the 2nd April and what a pleasant experience dealing Karyn who operates the Pet Bus as Kahma arrived so settled and happy and extremely well cared for. Infact, on the car ride home, Kahma was in the carry cage on the front seat and kept wanting tummy tickles. I felt kinda bad not giving her any, but thought it best to drive and not have an accident from diving into her demands. I did feel bad for this wee girls as she wasn’t even here for 24 hours then I ended up in hospital - poor wee thing - new cage, new home, whole new environment and I’m not here to help make it easier for her! But she hasn’t suffered for it and is doing so well. I have recently moved her back into my room as while she was ok in the dining room - she was more settled in mine. Her fur chewing has completely stopped now and she has the most ‘demanding’ nature - what is that?? She snorts - yes, she snorts at me if I am taking too long in giving the others treats before she get’s her’s. She will pace the cage, come up to the front, put her two front paws on the cage and snort at me, ironically this stops as soon as she has her treat in her paws. Such a honey with a wonderful personality. And needless to say - she will be a permanent as that is what I advised the lady in the Pet Shop given her concerns and my promise to her.
Then on 6th July 2009, I got a call asking if I could take in Ziggy and Marley (both grey’s), these boys were part of the group of 10, where my girls came from, and while they were adopted into a home, the owner was moving ‘down south’ and couldn’t take them, so instead of the foster home going to get them, I agreed they come here. I did ask where down south, as I know the Southland ban is in effect, and thought that was a valid reason, but to Timaru? Anyway - I’ll stop my thoughts on that there! There was a bit of mucking around getting Ziggy and Marley due to the owner’s plans changing - but the day they were meant to come - they didn’t so I sent a text and 2 hours later, found they travelled right through and ended up in Timaru, patience wearing thin at this point, it was made clear they were to be here the next day (Wednesday) before 3.30pm. So yes, they arrived at 12.15pm that afternoon. I wasn’t impressed about a few things and best leave that there as well! It did take some time for the boys to settle down - at one point I wondered if I needed to separate them, due to little tiffs that I didn’t feel were helping them settle, but by the 6th day of being here, they were snuggled up together. Sure they will have wee spats - but it’s not fighting and there is no fur and the more settled they get, more interaction they receive from me, the less that becomes. Both their ears are rather bitten - Marley has one ear that isn’t chewed and Ziggy has both ears with wounds - old ones thank goodness, but considering their past - I do understand and at least it makes it easier for me to tell them apart J The boys are starting to trust me, which is always good to see, but there is some work ahead yet - but I certainly don’t doubt it won’t happen as you can just see they want desperately to trust and to be loved, so they are getting all the love they can and the trust is getting there J
My next arrivals come on 2nd August 2009, Holly and Piccolo (both homo beige’s, both paired up but have been separated since being at Belinda’s) from the North Island - they are arriving by the Pet Bus and currently they are in Belinda’s care - I actually called this a “safe house’ when I speak of her home as is what I feel they have gone to. So I’ll update more on them when they arrive - but this is my next due, unless of course, something happens in the next few weeks and someone arrives before they do.
Holly and Piccolo arrived while I was at the Expo (2nd August 2009) but thankfully a good friend was more than happy to collect them from the meeting point and had them at her home until I was able to be home for them. After a few text messages between the Pet Bus, my friend and myself, I received the one I wanted - that they were with my friend and doing very well after their big trip from Auckland to Christchurch. Once home from the Expo, it wasn’t too long til they came and what beautiful wee ones they are, my friend and her husband just adored Piccolo and they both wanted him and asked that they be contacted should I feel he was suitable for adopting. The ringworm they had and foot infection Piccolo had was all cleared up by the time they arrived through the treatment they received in Auckland with Belinda, and I wouldn’t have expected anything else given the care I know she gives her critters and I was just delighted with how they both were as from the photos I received when Belinda first got them, they were a ‘tad’ sorry on it. They were quickly settled into their cages set-up in my room and Piccolo had no problems settling in, but Holly was the more reserved one which Belinda did tell me about.
I totally forgot to write dates down for the next arrivals - but a pair of ‘boys’ came from a lady and her daughter. These two were purchased from a pet shop in Christchurch and just weren’t getting the time the Mother felt they needed and after talking about this with her daughter - it was decided that they come into my care. Beautiful wee chins and so well cared for - just a ‘time’ factor. Once I had them settled in their cage I did sex them and both chinchilla’s were actually females, I remember sexing one and thinking “opps there is going to be a male and female” but nope - both were girls - thankfully as it saves the issue of one being pregnant as well as separating a bonded pair as that is something I try not to do unless it is necessary. This group came mid August 2009.
Shay and Chokotah arrived back on 15th August 2009, due to a change of circumstances with their owner. They were going to be here until the owner was settled into her own home and could take them back, but after discussing this with the owner on the 23rd November, it was decided I will refund the adoption fee and keep them here.
The next chinchilla’s that arrived were two pairs of females, email contact had been going on for a few weeks with their owner as while she wanted them to come it was a very difficult situation with the owner and far from a neglect or ‘time’ issue, but had received a lot of information regarding this group personality types, ages dietary requirements etc and she came with their date of births as well as their parents from the breeder so that was extremely helpful. This group arrived on 12th September 2009. The owner and her father brought them over and I tried my best to keep out of the way while she set-up their cages (as they came with their own) and she set everything up for them, I wanted to keep out of the way so I could give her the time she needed to do this as it was a very emotional time for the owner and once they were all set-up and in the dining room - I promised to keep in touch with how they were settling in and would keep her updated should, I feel, they be suitable for adopting.
These are all the rescues and rehomes in my care, some will never adapt to being in a different environment and some I would never trust someone else to care for incase they slip back to how they were when they first arrived and that, in my opinion, would be tragic!
