another surrender/new addition *pics*

[elle]

Kim called me from the vet school this morning to say that they had a chinchilla with a tail injury coming down as an emergency and the chinchilla was owned by a high school who may decide to just euthanize him rather than spending money to treat him. Well, we basically decided right then that we couldn't let that happen. As predicted, the high school did not want to spend the $300 to fix his tail... So, Kim got them to sign him over to Kim's Ark. This afternoon he had surgery to amputate a portion of his tail and then came home with Kim.

Well, I've been wanting a chinchilla for awhile now, but have not been actively seeking one... I figured if one needed me and happened to come my way, I'd help him... And today that very thing happened.

So, meet Zeppelin (I renamed him), an 8-year-old male chinchilla who has spent the majority of his life living in a high school biology room. He's an absolute cutie and as sweet as can be. He's a little bit unsure of being picked up, but once he's in your arms/on your lap, he's as sweet as can be. He spent a few hours cuddling on my lap this evening and has completely won over my heart. He's in great health besides his now stumpy tail and a cataract in his left eye.

I've spent quite a bit of time looking at chinchilla care sites online tonight, but any additional links or food/cage/care info would be greatly appreciated. I think I'm going to get him a Martin's cage, but I haven't decided what size or whether or not it should be powder coated (suggestions?).

So, without any further ado, meet my newest addition: Zeppelin!


cuddling on my lap -- you can see his ouchie tail


a close-up, can anyone say adorable?!


bowie trying to figure out if it's a rat or not

[kim]

well, the exact words of the HS teacher were "sorry chico, youre just not worth it "

[DragonTamer]

ahh.. almost like how a 4 dollar feeder rat turned into a 300 dollar pet within a day for me..  stupid pet store picking the rat up by his tail......   *misses Mel* 

he looks out of it still, hehe..  hope he does well!  chins are great and live a longggggggggggggggggggggggg time!

[tamena]

what a cutie !
Grats on your new buddy 

[fearlessella]

That is so great that you can do that.  At our vet today we have 2 unwanted pets now.  The people wanted to euth their cat because she didn't like their other cats.  She's a year old tiger cat if anyone wants her that would be great!  She's spayed, vaccinated, & tested!  I really don't think she would do bad with another cat.  The people had 4 males plus strays in & out all the time.
Then today it made me so mad when this guy brought in his 1 year & 2 month old purebred doberman to be PTS because his girlfriend didn't want the dog anymore.  He is GORGEOUS!!!!  A girl from work wants his, but I don't think it will be the best place to go.  I am trying to get him into the SPCA (I work for them too).  I would get him the perfect home!  We have to get permission from the owners though first.  We couldn't get ahold of them tonight. 

How long to chins live?

Chelsea

[elle]

i've heard anywhere from 8 years to 20 years. kim told me that the exotics book at the vet school says usually 8-10 years.

[menagerie]

Someone I know had one that lived to 22.

well, the exact words of the HS teacher were "sorry chico, youre just not worth it "

WTF, what kind of an example is that teacher setting? I'm glad he's with you now Elle. I'm sure he'll get the best of everything. 

[mishymoo37]

awww he looks so adorable!  get well soon buddy! 

[ratqueen]

He looks like a stoned bunny in those pics, except the last one where he looks like an out of proportion dumbo   But he's adorable, and I'm sure he's softer than anything - I love that about chins.  Now I REALLY need to come visit!

[Ree]

I can't see the pics....*whine*

[Siana]

I can't see the pics....*whine*

Elle's web host doesn't like us in NZ.  I can never see the bloody photos that she posts (although the chin pics did show up for me once).  Glad to know it's not just me though.

[kim]

That is so great that you can do that.  At our vet today we have 2 unwanted pets now.  The people wanted to euth their cat because she didn't like their other cats.  She's a year old tiger cat if anyone wants her that would be great!  She's spayed, vaccinated, & tested!  I really don't think she would do bad with another cat.  The people had 4 males plus strays in & out all the time.
Then today it made me so mad when this guy brought in his 1 year & 2 month old purebred doberman to be PTS because his girlfriend didn't want the dog anymore.  He is GORGEOUS!!!!  A girl from work wants his, but I don't think it will be the best place to go.  I am trying to get him into the SPCA (I work for them too).  I would get him the perfect home!  We have to get permission from the owners though first.  We couldn't get ahold of them tonight. 

How long to chins live?

Chelsea

chelsea- contact me privately. i can put you in touch with doberman rescues for this dog. that would be his best bet, not the SPCA.

[sjay]

What a cute chin. Congrats on your new buddy! Isn't it weird how things just happen? If you want me to come smack the teacher I will- gladly. Like mean said wtf? What a great example for these kids. NOT!!!

[Tracy]

* Tracy prepares for a sneezefest next week at Kim's

So shall I bring the sucker stamp along with secret low sodium crackers for Bowie?

[Marybelle]

What a handsome guy!  I'm glad he's come home with you.    He obviously needs someone who can spoil him in his old age.    I'm hoping my chinchilla girl gets more snuggly as she gets older.  Right now she's more like a baby rat, all bounce and go. 

[Dearpie]

What a cutie and what an opportunity for you, Elle .. not to mention what an opportunity for the chin!  Yeah, GREAT lesson that teacher is teaching.  GRRRRRRRR    

[CampRhubarb]

Pics of the kitty please, if you can!  (Not that I can come all that way to get him)  I so want a kitty again.

[trubandloki]

He is adorable, and I think he knows he is at home now...look at him all snuggled on your lap!


Gotta love teachers with an attitude like that....sigh!

[Adventure Rats]

well, the exact words of the HS teacher were "sorry chico, youre just not worth it "

That makes me sick 

Elle, I'm so glad little Zep is home with you and can now know what true love is all about.

[reesesgma]

aww he is a doll! He looks so very tired. The poor buggar probably is so stressed out. I am glad he is all safe and happy now!

[nancycccslp]

How's he doing?

[nakedrats]

Congr-chinchilla-ts.  My roommate has one, and one thing I can tell you about his cage is that the chin likes to chew on its cage bars.  The powdercoating is very chipped after only a few months. A lot of chinchilla people actually prefer solid cabinet/grotto style cages.  Chins enjoy spraying urine, which is lovely of them.  Solid cages tend to keep the pee inside the cage- if you have carpet this might be useful. Shelves are often made out of 1x8 planks of wood.  They can be sanded down when pee soaked and cheaply replaced when chewed to bits.  Good luck with the little squirrel-rabbit!