Home .Site Updates About, Achievement Reports FAQ's Disclaimer, Copyright, Contact Pet Chin Rescue & Rehoming ..International Chinchilla Rescue Network (ICRN) Quotes For Compassion Saving Ranch Chinchillas ..Pet Homes For Ranchies: News, Information, Photos Make A Difference ..Change by Choice Show You Care, Donate ChinCare: Educating Chinparents MM promotes positive activism, not AR extremism, see: Correcting Misconceptions and Defining Terms PHFR NEWS, INFORMATION, PHOTOS PHFR is the ranch chinchilla outreach program of MM. CbC details the facts of pelting today, FAQ's explains what PHFR is, how it works and why it succeeds. Anyone interested in starting their own PHFR project is welcome to notify us. Support PHFR by donating or posting the above logo with a link to this page. 2004 PET HOMES FOR RANCHIES MIDWEST PROJECT (synopsis, photos, project contributors) 2004 SYNOPSIS Below, 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 rehome, 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 since the mid 1990's 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 crisis, 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 unfit 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!