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ON THIS PAGE: *The Latest PHFR News, Project/s, Photos *PHFR Project History, Reports and Photos *PHFR Process Summary *Qualifying/ Applying to Foster or Adopt PHFR Ranchies  
THE LATEST PHFR NEWS, PROJECT/S, PHOTOSThe 2007 PHFR Project: Synopsis, Report and Photos, Ranchie Update, Project Contributors This report on the 2007 PHFR Project was written as progress unfolded, the second week and finale' section contains the concluding news as the Project wrapped up at the end of 5/07. 2007 PHFR PROJECT: SYNOPSIS For this Project we collaborated with the same ranch that we worked with for the 2004 and 2006 Projects (they haven't pelted since 2004! WOOHOO!), we have plans in the works to expand and collaborate with others in the Midwest very soon. On 5/11/2007 we picked up 24 ranchies, this was a mix of boys and girls, standard grays except for six mutations. Many are retired breeders and some are in their teens. We've had some wonderful rescues volunteer in advance to receive and foster these ranchies. We'll be dropping off some with Second Chance Chins Chinchilla Rescue in MI and ForCHINate Chins Chinchilla Rescue in OH on the weekend of 5/18, the rest will head out to Wisconsin Chinchilla Rescue at the end of May. 2007 PHFR PROJECT: REPORT AND PHOTOS *photos in bold type* (first
week, second
week and finale')The First Week, 5/11- 5/18 This is really a sweet crew, mostly mellow temperaments (see these old gals in two poses: photo 1, photo 2) because for the most part chinchillas get more sedentary as they age, becoming more the "lap pet" that most people want in a pet chinchilla but rarely get with the younger crowd. Here's a chin settling in on his first day off the ranch. There are some middle-age and younger chins in this group as well and to help indicate ages more readily we put their birth year in their ear with marker. Since they'll be here for only a short time before being fostered out by rescues, we're just referring to them by their date of birth; we'll let the rescues name all 24! Our main worry with an older crowd is their ability to adjust after living so long entrenched in the ranch environment, which is overall a much less stimulating environment compared to the busy sights and sounds of domesticity that it is our job to help them acclimate to. To aid the transition we always simulate their previous smaller cage environment by starting them out in carriers so they don't have to cope with too much profound change all at once; they have their small secured space wrapped in a sheet that helps them feel safe and from which they can take in all the new developments. Chinchillas are housed in solitary cells on the ranch, when we pair them up we don't put in hideaways (houses, hammocks, etc.) until we're sure there'll be no risk of barracading that could easily lead to compatibility disruptions. Normally we group in pairs by spotting like temperaments, in this case we felt that the retired breeders may enjoy herd companionship more (still grouping by temperament) and that's been working out quite nicely for them: photo 1, photo 2. Since the older chins would need an immediate sign that things were getting better and they had something to live for and look forward to so they had cause to keep their spirits up, we provided things that would make an immediate positive impression on their senses: cloth instead of wire under their feet, some unsweetened Wheat 'N Bran mini Shredded Wheat biscuits (read the warning that goes with feeding grains) and Forever Feisty Chinchilla Rescue's Organic Herb & Grain Fusion in their food dishes, and on TV they could watch and listen to low-stress cartoons like The Pink Panther series on DVD. Sadly, one dear old gal didn't make it, she was ear-marked '96. We had our eye on her from the time she arrived because she never perked up, just spent all her time immobile, huddled and terrified until she finally succumbed to shock despite being held, massaged and encouraged by us. This is '96 with one of her playmates and resting on daddy's knee just hours before God took her home. She did smile for us, she smiled as she was held by those who loved her right until the end. And she died free, with dignity, as a pet chin. One young chinchilla boy in this group was born only a few months ago in 2/2007, and either his litter mates or mother managed to gnaw his ears to stubs or this was a birth defect, but in any case precious little "Nubs" is incredibly cute, and has spunk to spare! Here is Nubs resting, he's quite the character and his "deformity" is more of an attraction than otherwise, but it was this perceived defect that made him an at-risk ranchie. Now he'll be placed by rescue in a carefully-screened home and have an excellent pet life! There is one young biter in this bunch, whom we've named Chewy (Chewbacca) and he's paired with Han. We've gone through several "floor plans" and a little bit of cagemate shifting to determine who's best grouped with whom and who will be ready to go after one week and who will need more socialization time and will be going with the last rescue transport. Chewy and Han seem well suited for each other, Chewy only bites at us when he's picked up and the rest of the time his snippy behavior through the carrier bars has decreased rapidly. When chins use biting it's from severe stress, fear or frustration, a self-defense gesture meant to express the intensity of their grievance. Here Han and Chewy are using us as a "safe base" during playtime and here's Chewy letting it all hang out just three days off the ranch. On day six he's actually touching noses with us from inside his carrier but is still prickly about being picked up. He'll outgrow the biting soon, he's only the second biter we've encountered in a ranchie and it's clear that he's just very intimidated by being picked up. We'll work on training him out of it, that's part of the socialization process they go through with PHFR. Some of the retired female breeders have a hairless ring around their neck where their collar used to be, the skin there is calloused and some even have a large piece of hairless dewlap where the skin once bulged around their collar. All will greatly benefit from exercise, the lack in muscle tone compared with the chins in our own chinfamily is pronounced. A few of the retired female breeders have ragged or heavily scarred ears from years of being repeatedly mounted by aggressively dominant males that bit during pre-copulatory grooming. The old girls' demeanor was quite submissive and reserved upon arrival but with playtime we've begun to see all these chins' delightful personalities emerge: playtime 1, playtime 2, playtime 3, playtime 4. This senior male has learned to hop into his hammock by the fourth day: hammock 1, hammock 2. Here a senior female tries her first raisin. On day six the senior girl "herd" is looking alert, interested and happy! The Second Week And Finale', 5/19- 5/30 After dropping off some of the ranchies with Second Chance Chins Chinchilla Rescue in MI and ForCHINate Chins Chinchilla Rescue in OH on the weekend of 5/18, we had a very busy second half of the 2007 PHFR Project! We continued socializing with playtime: playtime 1, playtime 2 and the ranchies got to explore more of our chin-proofed upstairs and they began to relax and enjoy their time out even more than before. The small cages that housed the cohabitating retired female breeders were graciously lent to us by Second Chance Chins Chinchilla Rescue (thanks!). The girls made great use of them, notice how in the beginning of the second week everyone has made great strides in mellowing out, they're sleeping on their side and more have discovered the hammock. We had a big surprise on 5/22 with the arrival of Fred, who was born to one of the retired female breeders. When cleaning cages that night we discovered him scurrying about the cage with his left ear torn off at the top, we applied some styptic powder to the wound and thought that perhaps he'd been bitten by one of the other females for trying to nurse from them. After verifying which was the mother by checking undersides for signs of recent delivery, we put Fred and his mother in a cage by themselves. I, the webmistress, had been up all night but the next morning I took MANY, many pictures of darling Fred of which here are a few: Fred 1, Fred 2, Fred 3. I was too nervous and upset about Fred's ear to sleep so I held vigil nearby. Later that morning, about 6am, I noticed he had a little scratch on his other ear and above his eye but since there was loose hay in the cage and he was being so very active, trying to climb the walls and sitting in the food dish, I assumed the scratches were due to his getting into some kind of mischief. He'd been nursing from his mother and everything seemed alright when I'd watched him approach her... Then about 7am, I heard a small, piercing cry and the mother bounced hard around the walls of the cage. I rushed over to Fred, who now had a flesh wound on either side of his left shoulder, he was cradling his left arm. The cut went through the skin but that was all, thankfully. I removed him immediately and started frantically making phone calls, clearly Fred's mother had had enough of nursing kits and had rejected him. I didn't want Fred to be hand-fed by us if we could find a surrogate mother for him, that'd be more nurturing. When I contacted CHINtuition they told me they were hand-feeding a boy named Einstein, he was at four weeks, his mother had died and he needed a friend; I knew they'd do a good job caring for Fred and this way he'd have companionship. This was one of several long days that both of us struggled through for the 2007 PHFR Project... When I dropped off Fred at CHINtuition a few hours later, Einstein totally adored him and Fred received his first hand-feeding. In fact, Einstein was SO thrilled to have Fred as his new friend that he did the chinchilla happy dance again and again! In the week that followed Einstein and he were inseperable, Einstein cleaning the styptic powder off Fred, checking up on him and showing him how to take his first dustbath. They splinted Fred's arm when it didn't show immediate improvement and later when he developed bloat, it was probably due to the associated stress. Despite being treated for his bloat and showing improvement, Fred ultimately passed away after living for just over a week, and although Einstein was nearby it was most difficult for him, he was so grieved at losing his dear friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with Einstein, it's so hard when they're young and can't comprehend loss and death. Another sad point in the second half of the 2007 Project was the loss of '93 due to old age. We've had our share of senior deaths at our rescue, you can tell when a chin is on the path to the Andes Mountains in the sky when they start to act weak, wobbly and then finally lay on their side, exhibit agonized breathing, sometimes seize and then it's a short time until they pass. This is '93 at the start of the process where she still looked bright and happy. Death really takes a toll on those of us who do chinchilla rescue and ranchie homing work, but it's worth it to know that we made their last moments here worthwhile. We upgraded the retired female breeders to one large cage and put all eleven of them in it for herd companionship, combining the groups from the two smaller cages they'd been in previously. It was interesting to see and this was possible both because these girls had been subservient breeders their whole lives and because ranch chinchillas are socially inexperienced: herd behavior 1, herd behavior 2, that is, they didn't exhibit territorialism whereas normally female chinchillas would. At first they all stayed on the bottom of the cage where it seems they felt most secure, but gradually they worked up to the higher shelves and finally into a group hug in the hammock. We even caught one gal on the wheel and managed to snap one decent picture before she got embarassed and hopped off. Chewy and Han stayed buddies while they were here, this picture was taken of them at night while they were watching TV. We worked with Chewy a little more and by the time he arrived at Wisconsin Chinchilla Rescue they were able to pick up Chewy without getting bit, at least the first time, lol, he'll still need some more work but they have a wonderful way with rehabilitating biters there. Before we left for Wisconsin we took some final shots, we had to shift everyone around after the weekend cage cleaning to get our chinfamily back into place and the girls had to go back into the smaller cages for just a couple days. These pictures are so precious, they all look happy and content at this stage, just like pet chins should: finale' 1, finale' 2. 2007 PHFR PROJECT: UPDATE ON A RANCHIE TURNED PET CHIN! The following update was submitted to MM by Second Chance Chins Chinchilla Rescue who heard from the adoptive chinparent of the ranchie we called "Nubs." He has been in his forever home with Miranda for several months now and was officially named "Teddy"! 
Miranda writes: "I fell in love with Teddy (aka: Nubs)
the minute I saw his first pictures, and I am so happy that it was
me who got to give him a home. I wouldn't trade Teddy and his nubs
for any 'perfect' chin. Teddy is a friendly, outgoing, bouncy, happy
guy! He is totally an 'in your face' chin just like he was the day
we met him. He has to rub noses with me at least once a day and tries
to take my glasses off when I wear them. He just has a ton of personality,
and he loves to be petted, scratched, stroked, anything. He very rarely
gets tired of any type of attention. He is so much fun - thank you
so much for giving him such good human interaction when you had him!
He absolutely loves people. PHFR is such a wonderful project, and
I have much admiration for everyone involved."2007 PHFR PROJECT: CONTRIBUTORS Our MM donators! Their funding helped with railroading, supplies and saved all 24 chins from pelting! ABB in MI: fostering, railroading! CHINtuition in MI: fostering, hand-feeding! ForCHINate Chins Chinchilla Rescue in OH: fostering! KFO in MI: railroading! Second Chance Chins Chinchilla Rescue in MI: fostering, loaned supplies! Wisconsin Chinchilla Rescue in WI: fostering!
PHFR PROJECT HISTORY,
REPORTS AND PHOTOS(2004 PHFR Midwest Project: Synopsis, Photos, Project Contributors) (2006 PHFR Project: Synopsis, Report and Photos, Project Contributors) 
2004 PHFR MIDWEST PROJECT: SYNOPSIS At right is the banner that was displayed on ChinCare.com to raise awareness for the first Pet Homes For Ranchies project, titled "2004 PHFR Midwest Project," which ran from 10/04- 6/05. The 2004 Project was led by the webmasters of ChinCare and now MM, it began in September when we contacted a rancher in the Midwest and offered to purchase their at-risk (of being pelted) chinchillas so they could be given loving, responsible pet homes. The ranchers called these chinchillas "extras" at the time and that's reflected in our banner, but due to the many reasons a ranch chinchilla may be regarded as at-risk, we eventually used that term to be more inclusive and indicative. We learned that the ranchers had approximately one hundred at-risk chinchillas, mostly standard gray males between the ages of one and three years old. There have been individuals over the years that have taken in ranch chinchillas and even retired ranch herds to re-home, but those efforts were basically a one-on-one effort between the individual and the ranch. For the 2004 Project we gathered a core team that networked for support and participation within the pet chinchilla community at large; donations and volunteer efforts came in from Japan and Europe as well as the U.S and ranchies were transported to adopters and foster workers in several states, including: MI, FL, OH, KY, WI, IN, GA, TN, VA. The ranchers welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with us, after all, in the U.S. pelting has not been profitable for about a decade so the 2004 Project was in the best interests of everyone: the ranchers who didn't have to pelt at a loss, the pet community that got to save chinchillas in need, and the chins who got to live! High production costs and a market demand for cheaper pelts for fur trim have made pelting unprofitable in the U.S. Today ranchers sell their chinchillas live as pets (pet stores, direct sales) or breeding stock (to other ranchers or pet breeders). When pelting is done it's at a financial loss compared with wholesale pet prices; young, healthy chinchillas become at-risk when they are deemed expendable or undesireable for live sale. The 2004 Project was successful in getting the one hundred at-risk ranchies, which were purchased at the rancher's wholesale live animal prices; not as profitable as what they could get through their usual live animal (pet or breeding stock) contacts but definitely better than pelting at a loss. On 2/16/05 the 2004 PHFR Midwest Project received the final donation, thanks to the generosity of Matilde the fundraising chin, which allowed us to purchase the remaining ranchies. It took a few more trips out to the ranch to get them all, and June of 2005 marked the completion of the 2004 Project. One hundred at-risk ranchies were saved from certain death and could be hopeful of a new life as a cherished pet! The ranchers told us from the start that they preferred not to pelt, and after the success of the 2004 Project we were invited to continue working with them into the future, so this is one ranch that will never pelt again! For privacy reasons we respect the wishes of the ranchers to keep their name and other personal information undisclosed. It remains our sincere hope that in addition to future MM PHFR projects, others will be encouraged to start PHFR projects of their own so that pelting in the U.S. can be quickly and peacefully phased out altogether.
2004 PHFR MIDWEST PROJECT: PHOTOS *photos in bold type* Ranchies temporarily housed in carriers, just off the ranch: photo 1, photo 2 and closeup. In the first week it's very important to get them acclimated quickly to the domestic setting, so they don't stress at the change in environment. We've found that TV does a wonderful job getting them used to the new sights and sounds of a pet home, it helps them relax and that makes it easier for them to socialize with both people and other chins. We keep their carriers wrapped with sheets during the adjustment period, it makes them feel secure and gives them a dark, quiet, private surrounding so that they can get sufficient daytime rest. Ranchie photos taken by a foster worker: Jerry, Mickey, Roo, Sancho, Paco, Yoshi Joji Before and After. Notice the weight gain and how he's more relaxed, for weeks after we got him he would cling to us frantically when held. Now he's snuggling with friends and using an exercise wheel for the first time! He also used to stay on the top level of the cage only, now he uses all the levels and comes forward eagerly for treats or to "converse" by rubbing noses. Elsie, from our first pickup at the ranch. She's so shy, and SO precious! Adorable Elsie, Elsie Giving Kisses Ranchie boys acting as a herd: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3. In their native habitat, where chinchillas remain an endangered species, they onced roamed the Andes mountains in herds, "It is said that it was once possible for a person to see thousands of chinchillas in the course of a day's journey." (quote- Walker's Mammals of the World, when it was still online)
2004 PHFR MIDWEST PROJECT: CONTRIBUTORS ABB in MI: MULTIPLE cash donations for chins! Cheeky Chinchillas in the UK: MULTIPLE cash donations for chins! Chin Colorés Ranch in CA: donation of chew toys for chins being railroaded! chinchillas2home in the UK: cash donation for chins! ChinQuest in the UK: cash donation for chins! dianamator in FL: railroading from OH to FL and VA! ET in the UK: MULTIPLE cash donations for chins! ForCHINate Chins Chinchilla Rescue in OH: Fostering!  HF
in the UK: cash donation for chins!Hide 'n Sleep Co in KY: railroading from MI to KY and TN! Jen's Chins in WI: railroading, fostering! J. Naser in MI: MULTIPLE cash donations for chins! JT in IN: MULTIPLE cash donations for chins! MATILDE in CA: the fundraising chin! Raised over half of all donations! MC in FL: cash donation for chins! mcihak in MI: project accounting, railroading, fostering! Midwest Exotics in IN: fostering! mmantyh in WI: cash donation, project logistics, railroading! Nature Coast Chinchillas in FL: railroading, fostering! Nippon Chinchilla Rescue in Japan: MULTIPLE cash donations for chins! PEANUT in FL: donation for chins! Pet Products by Nature in AZ: MULTIPLE donation of chew toys for chins being railroaded! SS in MI: cash donation for chins! Sugarloaf Chinchillas in MD: cash donation for chins! TE in GA: cash donation for chins! The Chinchilla House in WI: donation of Tradition feed for railroaders! ...and, lest we forget, God for opening doors and giving us the energy, the resources, the kind and willing hearts in the pet community. Honestly, everytime we pray the rosary, God has blessed us with more opportunities, strength and hope for a brighter future for ranch chinchillas everywhere!
2006 PHFR PROJECT: SYNOPSIS (Report
and Photos, Project
Contributors)
This report on the 2006 PHFR Project was written as progress unfolded, the Final Update contains the concluding news on this Project that began in 10/06 and was wrapped up in 2/07. We collaborated with the same ranch that we worked with for the 2004 Project, they had invited us back after that project and on 10/22/06 we picked up 16 ranchies, all boys. With the exception of three gray fur-biters (fur-biting is stress-related), the 2006 Project ranchies were all mutations (colors other than the chinchilla's original gray), and in our experience and that of others we've consulted it seems that the mutes are generally less temperamentally stable and resilient than the grays, consequently all these ranchies needed extra socialization work and a longer adjustment period to be prepared for life as cherished pet chinchillas.
2006 PHFR PROJECT: REPORT AND PHOTOS *photos in bold type* (first night, few days later, first wk, second wk, third wk, fourth wk, fifth wk, sixth wk, final update) The First Night Carrier setup, we put in litter, dustbaths with lots of dust, wood chew sticks, hay cube, pellets (and a few unsweetened Wheat 'N Bran mini Shredded Wheat biscuits, also see the warning that goes with feeding grains) and filtered water. This accomodates two chins, we pair them up when we get them home but during the ride from the ranch they're in groups of 3 or 4 to a carrier. Watching TV and relaxing: photo 1, photo 2. Although their carriers are twice the size or more than what they were used to on the ranch, they still sometimes run about them wildly (ranchie racing) as if trying to escape when we reach in to change out dust, hay, etc. For socializing we spend a lot of time just holding them, so they can feel safe and secure and know that people are fond of them, will care for them with gentleness.
Few Days Later Is this cute or what? These two, whom we called Chip and Dale, were the exception to the general temperament of the group; they were so mellow and well-bonded that they went to ForCHINate Chins Chinchilla Rescue in OH in their first week off the ranch to be fostered there until they can be placed into a forever home. First Week, 10/28 End of first week, starting to settle in some: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5. The ranchies stay in carriers for awhile (about 1-2 weeks, sometimes more depending on how they're adapting) when they're first off the ranch because they need a smaller cage to act as home base (small is what they're accustomed to coping with, it's familiar, ranch cages are tiny battery cages about or less than 2' square) while they become familiar with the sights, sounds and people associated with pet life. This part of the adjustment period eases them into things without making them experience it in a cage where they feel too exposed and overwhelmed in addition to being in a foreign environment altogether. Ranchies are also initially unable to jump to or between ledges or shelves, when they are finally moved up to a cage with their new adopter or foster home they'll have to be shown how to do so by being carried through the motions. Eventually they'll even learn to use a wheel by watching how other chins do it, it's hilarious to see their reaction when they step on one for the first time and it swings back and forth under them, do they ever look surprised!
Second Week, 11/04 Most ranchies by the end of the second week are starting to look and act more like pet chins, i.e., they come forward for kisses and raisins or unsweetened Wheat 'N Bran mini Shredded Wheat biscuits and they aren't as startled or frightened by the sights and sounds of activity in their new environment: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5 intently watching TV. A couple of the ranchies, though, needed to backtrack in order to better adjust. First Sparky (we sometimes use a placeholder name for reference purposes; he's so precious, has a spark of God in him) and then Speedy (at one point flew out of the carrier and halfway across the room from a stationary position, he was ok, but yikes!) spent a few days in the little show cage (8" wide by 12"long by 8" high) we have for such purposes. Here's Speedy (he's not greasy, those are kisses on his face, lol!) in the setup, which is upstairs beside our bed, where they get held and soothed very often and have some closely monitored out-of-cage exercise time. After a few days of that treatment they were much more confident and ready to move up to carrier status again, here's Sparky being held and then making some adorably serene expressions once moved back to a carrier: Sparky 1, 2, 3, 4. Third Week, 11/11 Two boys were placed with foster workers at the end of the third week and that makes five that have been fostered/ adopted out altogether. Sparky and Speedy (and with head turned) have begun cohabitating, they're still being kept in a more sheltered environment and worked with closely. We have at least one pair ready ready for adoption/ fostering, then two more pairs should be ready in another week, the rest sometime after that.
Fourth Week, 11/18 Ahh yes, now they've all made considerable progress, finally! No one barks or gets surprised anymore and no more "ranchie racing" which is our term for when they race around the sides of the carrier at break-neck speed, something that some ranch chins do to compensate for confinement in a tiny cage on the ranch. One little fellow from this group broke his wrist doing that the other week, here he is a few days after the emergency visit to our exotics specialist vet, resting his chin on his hind foot. He's healing nicely now but will stay in the show cage as a precaution until completely healed. Some nervous behaviors, like ranchie racing or fur-biting, will continue for a time after they've left the ranch because these behaviors are the only outlet the chin has for reacting to something he finds upsetting, like severe confinement on the ranch or the unpredictability of a foreign environment, i.e., domestic life. At this point two of the fur-biters have quit barbering and the third was re-paired with another cagemate so he may take a bit longer to reform. Nervous behaviors don't necessarily indicate that a chin is anti-social with people, in fact, all these ranchies have proven extremely people-friendly, they were just initially very scared. The first stage in acclimating chins to a new environment is to help them realize 1) that they are safe 2) that they are valued and respected as fellow living beings 3) that their needs will be met. After those precepts are established, and it takes time and patience to get there, then it's smooth sailing. The passage of time has a lot to do with it, really, wherein they can see that nothing bad will happen and they become accustomed to the people and activity of domestic life. We give a lot of credit to TV for helping chins relax in a new environment, our chinkiddies all get TV during their waking hours and we've watched it work wonders on both ranchies and rescue chinchillas. For the 2006 Project ranchies we've played, among other things, the entire Star Wars saga on DVD and we could see them noticeably relax after that. Perhaps TV helps them realize that they're safe because if so much that's unfamiliar by way of sight and sound can happen right in front of them without affecting them directly or detrimentally in any real way, then maybe much of what they're experiencing on a daily basis now (doing laundry or dishes, vacuuming, shower running, etc., sounds and activity we take for granted) is also non-threatening and shouldn't be fretted over. Here are some photos as they (those still awake) watch morning cartoons: photo 1 and same chin moments later, photo 2, photo 3. Fifth Week, 11/25 Had a great Thanksgiving, were able to get all the ranchies out for exercise, they're all getting better about actually using the time for exercise rather than hiding, lol. This trio is darling. Two groups that will be ready to go soon are the bonded two fur-biting grays, they each have a few patches that are growing back: gray1, gray2, and then the two we've given the placeholder names of Thomas and Tangerine (orangish cast to his fur) to. Since the ranchies in this 2006 bunch have had a bit of a time adjusting and they're all doing so well now after a LOT of attention and care, we're going to be pretty particular about making sure they get into exceptional foster/ adopting homes. It's going to be so hard to part with them, we've grown so close! Sixth Week, 12/2 For the first (2004) PHFR project, we only kept the chins for about 2-3 weeks for the adjustment period, so this group has been here a while longer but they needed it and have greatly benefitted: Thomas & Tangerine, Felix (Flipper's carriermate and his wrist is doing much better), Speedy & Sparky, Stan and Ollie (the gray pair) and Zen and Yin (Yang is in the hammock, this is the trio). HURRAY! A WONDERFUL foster home, WI Chinchilla Rescue, will be taking all but two pairs (Speedy and Sparky, who need more socialization work and Felix and Flipper, Flipper will still be recovering from his broken wrist) who will be with us until late winter. WI Chinchilla Rescue is exemplary in their conscientious caretaking and re-homing efforts, we've worked with them before and are very happy that they offered to help these chins in need. Donations of supplies to help WI Chinchilla Rescue are welcomed on their donations page.
Final Update, 1/8/07 Some photos taken over Christmas of the remaining two pairs that were cohabitating as a foursome at that time: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3. We've renamed Flipper since that placeholder name was only meant to be temporary; placeholder names aren't used when communicating with the chins so they won't learn them and will therefore more easily respond to whatever they're named later on in foster care or adoption. But since Flipper has been with us awhile healing from his broken wrist, we've renamed him "Hosea." Felix and Hosea will be going to foster workers in another month, Hosea's wrist has been healed for a couple weeks now and by then the fur will have regrown where the cast had worn it away; these boys are really well-adjusted and will make fantastic companions to a loving pet home. Sparky and Speedy are still overcoming hurdles in their adjustment process so they'll be staying with us for the time being, we don't make ranchies available for fostering or adoption unless we're certain they can successfully cope with the transition. Thanks to everyone who's written to express well wishes and offer assistance with fostering/ adoption and transporting, and thanks again to our generous donators who show they care! 2006 PHFR PROJECT: CONTRIBUTORS Our MM donators! Their funding helped with supplies, railroading, Flipper's vet bills and saved all 16 chins from pelting! ABB in MI: adoption, transporting! Clarissa's Chubby Chins in MI: fostering! ForCHINate Chins Chinchilla Rescue in OH: fostering, supplies! Rabbitwise, Memphis, on Petfinder in TN: volunteered cross-country railroading assistance! WI Chinchilla Rescue in WI: fostering!
PHFR PROCESS SUMMARY(laying groundwork, pickup and adjustment period, entering the pet community) LAYING GROUNDWORK The project leader initiates communication with the ranch, finds out how many at-risk chinchillas there are and ascertains the rancher's wholesale prices, then arrives at the MM purchase price which would be somewhere between pelt and wholesale pet prices. After that, the project leader and teammembers (if there are others needed/ able to work with the project leader), discuss roles (transporting, fostering, etc.) and work out pickup times with the ranch. The project leader or teammembers can do pickup at the ranch depending on what's feasible and with regard to the rancher's privacy requests and personal schedule. PICKUP AND ADJUSTMENT PERIOD Ranchies are picked up in carriers and taken to the home of the project leader or teammember to begin the adjustment period: to become accustomed to the domestic environment, to become socialized to people, and to become socialized with their own kind by being paired with a same-sex cagemate; chinchillas are herd animals in the wild. During this adjustment period, which can last anywhere from one to several weeks depending on the adjustment progress of the individuals, they are kept in a carrier or small cage that is a size improvement over their tiny ranch cage but is not so overwhelming as to introduce too much change, too quickly; that can cause death from stress-related shock. ENTERING THE PET COMMUNITY After the ranchies have completed the adjustment period AND developed a confident, resilient disposition that will allow them to make another transition, then they're made eligible for adoption (from the project leader or teammembers) or fostering (cared for by a foster worker until they are adopted) by the pet community. For the future welfare of these ranch chinchillas, requirements are made of both foster workers and adopters. Requirements include the use of an adoption contract, acknowledgement that these ranchies will not be used for breeding and the understanding that an adoption fee will be charged.
QUALIFYING/ APPLYING TO FOSTER OR ADOPT PHFR RANCHIES(fostering, adopting) We reserve the right to refuse to allow fostering/ adoption to anyone for any reason. It should go without saying, but only healthy chinchillas will be taken off the ranch and made available to the pet community; there is no need to "quarantine." Ranchers do take measures to ensure their herd stays healthy, it prevents epidemics and protects their business interests. It is important that both those doing foster care and adoption candidates recognize that the ranchies will not leave the PHFR project leader or team's care unless they are in superb health, have successfully completed the adjustment period and developed a confident, resilient disposition that will allow them to successfully make the transition to foster care or adoption. Problems that are not immediately reported by new adopters or those doing foster care within the first 12 hours after dropoff will be considered the sole responsibility of the new adopters or those doing foster care; MM and the PHFR project leader/ teammembers are not liable for emergency health or vet expenses incurred after that time has passed. The temperament of ranch chinchillas will vary both from ranch to ranch and animal to animal. People can generalize or speculate but it is NOT true that all ranch chinchillas are anti-social due to their relative isolation and lack of interaction (socialization) with people or other chins on the ranch, in fact, ranchers often plan their breeding efforts to produce chinchillas of good temperament.
FOSTERING Foster workers must be chinchilla owners of at least one year experience, preferably rescue workers with experience in dealing with under-socialized chins. Contact the PHFR project leaders with an example of your adoption contract which must include mention that: 1) PHFR ranchies are to be regarded as NFB, Not For Breeding 2) An adoption fee of no less than 50 USD (charging more is strongly adviseable to avoid inflicting the "less valuable" stigma) per chinchilla will be charged to the adopter. Adoption fees are imposed as a way of proving financial competence on the part of the adopter and the fee reimburses the foster worker, project leader or teammember for the caretaking expenses (veterinary, accomodations, transportation, routine care expenses, etc.) incurred while the chinchilla was in their care. FTGH is not an option, it puts a chin's life in danger. Use of our adoption contract (.doc) is acceptable. If the ranchies are not able to be dropped off directly at the foster worker's home due to transporting logistics, then photos of the foster worker's facilities must also be submitted for our review.
ADOPTING (Review these points FIRST!) 
Notify
PHFR project leaders of your state location, the gender and number
of ranchies you're interested in adopting, and acknowledge in writing
that these ranchies are to be regarded as NFB,
not for breeding. Submit
the adoption
contract (.doc). It is the responsibility of the adopter to arrange
to meet and pickup the chin/s they're interested in adopting, there
will be no shipping of these ranchies but we may be able to help arrange
meetup with a foster worker. We recommend consulting The
Chinchilla Railroad or posting on forums
to request transportation assistance. The
minimum adoption fee
of 50 USD per chinchilla is in effect when the adopter is notified
of acceptance of their adoption contract. The minimum adoption fee
reflects the baseline charge, not the actual or final charge, which
may be greater. |
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