[CAChinsRescue] Newsletter - August 2007

[Lori Cope]

CALIFORNIA CHINS and ChinchillaRescue.Org
 
Newsletter
 
August 2007
 
 
NEWS
====
 
- We have about 9-13 chinchillas waiting to be surrendered to our rescue
group. Foster home space is a problem with a large number of chins that are
not yet available for adoption. Additionally, one of our foster homes is
going on much deserved and needed vacation during the month of August.  If
you are in the SF Bay Area and have been considering adopting a chinchilla
to add to your family or if you can provide foster care for at least 6
weeks, please contact us at adopt at chinchillarescue.org.
 
- We have moved our www.cachins.org website to the same web host as our
www.chinchillarescue.org site.  Please be patient if you are having any
problems with the CA Chins site.  Moving a website is never without some
hiccups.  We are also working on the site to make it more reliably
accessible via all popular web-browsers.
 
 
RESCUES
=======
 
New Rescues in July: 1
Chins Adopted last month: 6
Deceased Chins: 2 (both had bad hearts)
Chins Available for Adoption: about 8 (more available soon!)
Total # of Chins in Foster Care: 21
 
We have a number of new rescues that are not yet available for adoption for
one or more of the following reasons:
 
- Need to gain weight
- Too young to be adopted
- Possibly pregnant
- Being watched for possible dental problems
 
 
Available for Adoption
----------------------
 
Check our website to see the chinchillas that are currently available for
adoption. www.chinchillarescue.org/rescues.html

Note: The website does not include the chins waiting for foster care that
could also be available for adoption.
 
 
TIPS, INFORMATION, REMINDERS
============================
 
Summer is a great time to wash those chinchilla cages.  The warm weather
helps to dry the cages and the UV light from the sun can help disinfect the
cage.
 
Cage Washing:
 
How often you need to wash your chinchilla's cage depends on the type of
cage and the "bathroom" habits of your animal.  In general, it's a good idea
to wash your cages every couple of months. If your chinchilla has a fungus
(ringworm), Giardia, or other medical condition for which sanitation is
important for treatment, you will need to clean your cage more often.
 
Ideas for where to wash your cage:
 
- Your backyard or driveway with a garden hose or pressure washer
- Your shower
- Do-it-yourself car wash
 
For a general cleaning, a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush or pad
will do. Cleaning products that are designed to remove calcium, lime, and
rust, will help remove rust from metal and the white residue that builds up
on both plastic and metal.
 
When you need to disinfect your cage, consider using one or more of the
following:
 
- Bleach
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Portable Steam Cleaner
- UV from the sun. Let the cage dry in the sun.
 
While washing a cage, inspect it thoroughly for anything that might injure
your animal. A broken or loose wire, a sharp or rough spot on the cage or
tray, etc., can cut a foot or nose.  Check all of the latches to make sure
they are safe and latching securely.
 
No matter how you wash the cage, make sure that it is rinsed thoroughly and
dried before putting your chinchillas back in it!
 
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
===================
 
Lani Ritchey - calchins at aol.com
Lori Cope - lori at chinchillarescue.org