pinkpiggy1989
'No they're not bunnies'
So I was browsing the Craigslist Pet Section as I frequently do, bad habit I know, when I noticed a posting advertising a FREE pink white female chinchilla. I figured SHE was free, but you had to purchase her cage and supplies with her for an additional fee. Nope, completely free. Not wanting her to become snake food or worse, I got in contact with the owner.
The owner gave me the typical 'it was a gift for my daughter, but she no longer cares for her so we want to find her a new home' story. I ask how old she is, and she tells me shes barely 8 months old. I arranged with the woman to pick her up today. I was not prepared AT all for what I saw when I went to this womans house...
When I first pulled in the driveway I wasn't sure if it was the right house, until I saw the chinchilla sitting in her cage OUTSIDE! I live in Maryland, and if you're not familiar with the weather, we have a VERY hot summer. It was AT LEAST 80+ degrees when I showed up and this poor baby is sitting out right in the sun and god only knows how long she was out there. I get out of the car as quickly as possible to get the chin in my car and in the AC when I notice how disgusting her cage is. This nasty thing looks like it has NEVER been cleaned and it was rusted from the top to the bottom. The litter pan had no bedding what so ever, and there was even a small hole that had rusted completely through. When I asked what kind of bedding she used, she said 'Oh well we usually don't use anything, but you can just throw some newspaper in there if you'd like?' At this point I've had it with this woman and my only concern is getting this poor chinchilla to safety. As I'm loading her supplies(if you can even call this crap supplies) into my car, she comes over and starts talking to me. She tells me how she loves her but her cats are always sticking their paws through and attacking her. She then goes on to tell me how much she 'LOVES' apples, grapes, carrots, raisins, etc. I'm gritting my teeth at this point and just trying to pack her up and get her out of there as quickly as possible. As I'm detaching her water bottle from the cage, I notice the entire bottom of the bottle is settled with dirt or god only knows what else.
I finally say my goodbyes and promise to take good care of her and as I'm about to pull off she comes over and says 'You know shes not your regular chinchilla. Since shes white shes worth a lot more. You could breed her and make TONS of money. Shes already produced 2 litters(but I thought shes only 8 months old?) and I got $300 the first time and $400 the second time. You should really consider it.' I was absolutely SPEECHLESS. I didn't say a word, and pulled out of the driveway.
I now have her home, in a small but CLEAN cage, and shes never been happier. Her poor fur is matted and instead of being white, shes a dingy yellow looking color and her bottom is almost completely black. I have her cage stocked with plenty of fleece, chew stick, food, water, and hay. Is there anything else I should do? I never done a rescue before so any information would be greatly appreciated!
Its hard see because of the lighting, but the cage is nothing but rust! The nice lady did however include a free bell toy and salt wheel! :thumbsup:
Her litter pan: In the TRASH! where it belongs!
The owner gave me the typical 'it was a gift for my daughter, but she no longer cares for her so we want to find her a new home' story. I ask how old she is, and she tells me shes barely 8 months old. I arranged with the woman to pick her up today. I was not prepared AT all for what I saw when I went to this womans house...
When I first pulled in the driveway I wasn't sure if it was the right house, until I saw the chinchilla sitting in her cage OUTSIDE! I live in Maryland, and if you're not familiar with the weather, we have a VERY hot summer. It was AT LEAST 80+ degrees when I showed up and this poor baby is sitting out right in the sun and god only knows how long she was out there. I get out of the car as quickly as possible to get the chin in my car and in the AC when I notice how disgusting her cage is. This nasty thing looks like it has NEVER been cleaned and it was rusted from the top to the bottom. The litter pan had no bedding what so ever, and there was even a small hole that had rusted completely through. When I asked what kind of bedding she used, she said 'Oh well we usually don't use anything, but you can just throw some newspaper in there if you'd like?' At this point I've had it with this woman and my only concern is getting this poor chinchilla to safety. As I'm loading her supplies(if you can even call this crap supplies) into my car, she comes over and starts talking to me. She tells me how she loves her but her cats are always sticking their paws through and attacking her. She then goes on to tell me how much she 'LOVES' apples, grapes, carrots, raisins, etc. I'm gritting my teeth at this point and just trying to pack her up and get her out of there as quickly as possible. As I'm detaching her water bottle from the cage, I notice the entire bottom of the bottle is settled with dirt or god only knows what else.
I finally say my goodbyes and promise to take good care of her and as I'm about to pull off she comes over and says 'You know shes not your regular chinchilla. Since shes white shes worth a lot more. You could breed her and make TONS of money. Shes already produced 2 litters(but I thought shes only 8 months old?) and I got $300 the first time and $400 the second time. You should really consider it.' I was absolutely SPEECHLESS. I didn't say a word, and pulled out of the driveway.
I now have her home, in a small but CLEAN cage, and shes never been happier. Her poor fur is matted and instead of being white, shes a dingy yellow looking color and her bottom is almost completely black. I have her cage stocked with plenty of fleece, chew stick, food, water, and hay. Is there anything else I should do? I never done a rescue before so any information would be greatly appreciated!
Its hard see because of the lighting, but the cage is nothing but rust! The nice lady did however include a free bell toy and salt wheel! :thumbsup:
Her litter pan: In the TRASH! where it belongs!
