[CAChinsRescue] Newsletter - May 2007

[Lori Cope]

CALIFORNIA CHINS and ChinchillaRescue.Org
 
Newsletter
 
May 2007
 
 
EVENTS
======
 
California Chins Annual Meeting and Party in Mountain View, CA - June 2,
2007
 
Since we are a 501(c)3 organization, we are required to have an annual
meeting.  However this event is mostly a social gathering, with just a very
brief meeting. :-)  The party will be held on Saturday, June 2 starting at
4pm.  We will BBQ, have some chin fun and just have a good time.
 
Location: Fran Reed's Home
13121 Sun Mor Ave.
Mountain View, CA
 
RSVP: fkreed at comcast.net
 
We'll send out more detailed information soon.
 
 
RESCUES
=======
 
New Rescues in April: 2
Chins Adopted last month: 7
Chins Available for Adoption: 14
Total # of Chins in Foster Care: 15
 
 
Available for Adoption
----------------------
 
Check our website to see the chinchillas that are currently available for
adoption. www.chinchillarescue.org/rescues.html
 
 
TIPS, INFORMATION, REMINDERS
============================
 
It is shedding season, at least in California.  This is a good time to groom
your chinchillas to help rid them of the excess fur.  Regular grooming is an
important way to help prevent your chinchilla from ingesting fur which can
cause an intestinal blockage. There is some opinion that chinchillas do not
get hair balls, but CA Chins have had chinchillas die suddenly for no
apparent cause, with the autopsy finding multiple hair balls in the
intestines.
 
All the loose fur flying around can also mean more chances for your male
chinchilla to get a fur ring around their penis.  Even if you've never found
a fur ring on your male before, shedding season is a good time to check.
 
To groom your chin, hold it by its tail, firmly at the base.  Place the chin
your lap, [don't do this with bare legs], and start combing.  A good
fine-toothed dog comb, available in pet stores, works well and is much
cheaper than chinchilla combs.  Do not use a flea comb. Most chinchillas do
NOT like to be groomed and will be very vocal about their feelings.
Otherwise sweet and gentle chins may try to bite, so keep fingers away from
their mouth!
 
Start the comb from the base of the tail, combing under the fur to the ears,
tail to top.  Angle the comb so it goes through the thick fur.  Comb the
sides, then comb under the tail, and comb the belly.  Be very careful around
the genitals.  When you have combed out all the dead fur and mats, then wipe
your hand from tail to head, over body, removing all the loose static fur.
After combing, give your chinchilla a dust bath.
 
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
===================
 
Lani Ritchey - calchins at aol.com
Fran Reed - fkreed at comcast.net
Lori Cope - lori at chinchillarescue.org