[CAChinsRescue] Newsletter - Sept. 2007

[Lori Cope]

CALIFORNIA CHINS and ChinchillaRescue.Org
 
Newsletter
 
September 2007
 
 
THANKS!
=======
 
Thanks to everyone that offered to help foster chinchillas last month.  Even
if we didn¹t take advantage of your kind offer (yet), we appreciate your
support.  We still have about 12 chinchillas waiting to be surrendered to
our rescue group, so those of you who volunteered, may still hear from us
soon. :-)
 
 
NEWS
====
 
I have just started a Blog on our website. I thought I¹d give it a try to
see if it turned out to be a useful way to keep everyone updated with what
we are doing, as well as share more of the stories about our rescues.  We
are also hoping that it may be a way for more potential adopters to find out
about our group.  The URL is www.chinchillarescue.org/rescue_blog.html.
 
 
RESCUES
=======
 
New Rescues in August: 22
Chins Adopted last month: 5
Deceased Chins: 2 (due to multiple health problems)
Chins Available for Adoption: about 9 (more available VERY soon!)
Total # of Chins in Foster Care: 36
 
We have a number of rescues that are not yet available for adoption for one
or more of the following reasons:
 
- Need a check-up or recheck with our vet.
- Too young to be adopted (less than 4 months old)
- Possibly pregnant
- Being watched for possible dental problems.
- Broken leg
 
 
Available for Adoption
----------------------
 
Check our website to see the chinchillas that are currently available for
adoption. www.chinchillarescue.org/rescues.html
 
 
TIPS, INFORMATION, REMINDERS
============================
 
One of our adoptive families had a novel idea for cage bedding that I
thought I would pass on to you.
 
³We were experimenting with different beddings, and we found something
that's working very well for us.  We are now lining the cages with thick
cotton baby diapers, which we "change" every day. We have a stack of
diapers, so we only have to wash them once a week.  It works really, really
well.  They don't stand in their own urine, and it's very easy to see if
there are changes in their stools or urine (including color). It's also
cheaper than the paper bedding.²
 
They are using Gerber 100% cotton 6-ply cotton diapers, 19" x 14" which can
be found at stores, like Target.  One of their chins was having a bit of
foot bleeding before they changed to diapers as bedding, and that's now
completely gone away. They think it's because on the diapers, his feet are
always dry and clean.
 
There would be an initial investment for the diapers, but it would quickly
become cost efficient. This would also be a lot less messy than using wood
shavings or paper products.  We also like the fact that this is an
environment-friendly idea!
 
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
===================
 
Lani Ritchey - calchins at aol.com
Lori Cope - lori at chinchillarescue.org