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Support PHFR by donating or posting the above logo with a link to this page. 2006 PET HOMES FOR RANCHIES (synopsis, report and photos, project contributors) 2006 SYNOPSIS 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- 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 rehoming 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!