Animal rescue in the United States primarily focuses upon finding homes for dogs and cats. However, rescue organizations dedicated to exotic animals are few and far between. One such rescue, the Forever Feisty Chinchilla Rescue of Granby, Connecticut, specifically caters to finding “forever homes” for chinchillas.
Andrea Kundrotas, founder and owner of Forever Feisty Chinchilla Rescue, has identified the Northeast as the focal point of chinchilla homelessness. “Other parts of the country do have problems with homeless chinchillas, but from what I have heard from other chinchilla rescues, the Northeast part of the country does seem to have more of a major problem and these beautiful, loving and very intelligent critters simply have no proper place to go. Every year the requests for surrenders seem to multiply with the interest to adopt being less and less. People’s wanting to surrender chinchillas is never ending. It is truly heartbreaking,” she said. Forever Feisty has received owner surrender requests from New England to the Midwest to the deep South, even as far away as Texas. No matter the distance, Forever Feisty travels over 8,000 miles a year to various states to rescue each chinchilla in person.
Why are chinchillas in such a state of desperation in the United States? Even the most avid animal lover may not know that the United States chinchilla population as a whole faces hardships every day. The crux of the problem is that those who purchase chinchillas in pet stores often do not realize the time commitment and special care that chinchillas require. New chinchilla owners may not realize that the average chinchilla has a life span of fifteen to twenty years. Also, chinchillas must be housed in cages that are uniquely safe for them; keeping chinchillas in glass tanks and rabbit or ferret cages may result in injury, even in leg amputation. In the wild, chinchillas give themselves “baths” in the volcanic ash in the Andes Mountains; therefore, chinchillas require dust baths two to three times a week. In short, chinchillas require specialized care, and because irresponsible owners are often unprepared for the challenge, they see surrender, abandonment or neglect as their inevitable options.
If you have the patience, time and ability to accommodate a chinchilla into your home, consider adopting one from Forever Feisty Chinchilla Rescue. You must be twenty-one years or older to adopt a chinchilla. Once your application is approved, you may be called for an interview and an opportunity to visit the chinchillas in person. Once you have provided all appropriate information and have convinced the rescue that you are an ideal potential chinchilla owner, the finalization process begins. You must firmly establish a chinchilla-savvy animal hospital in your area. Here is a list of chinchilla-friendly veterinarians in Connecticut. The adoption fee is $75.00, which includes an adoption kit of organic food, toys, a quick reference guide, and an adoption certificate. If chinchilla adoption is not an option for you, consider Forever Feisty’s Honorary Adoption program, which provides the opportunity to sponsor one of the rescue’s permanent residents for $40.00 a year. You will receive photos and updates throughout the year, along with a brief history of your chosen chinchilla and an Honorary Adoption certificate.
The annual budget at Forever Feisty Chinchilla Rescue often exceeds $17,000, with $5,000 spent in medical bills alone. Forever Feisty not only cares for its rescues but also for its permanent special needs and elderly residents. As a private, non-profit organization, the rescue relies heavily upon the generosity of others. To assist Forever Feisty financially, make an online, tax-deductible donation here, or purchase a variety of items from their online store, including chinchilla toys, holistic health remedies, and gifts.
To learn more about this unique Hartford area animal rescue, visit the Forever Feisty Chinchilla Rescue website, or contact the rescue at foreverfeistychins@sbcglobal.net. To begin the adoption application process, access the online application form here.
The Forever Feisty website features a quotation from Susan Chernak McElroy, which reads, “In their innocence and wisdom, in their connection to the earth and its most ancient rhythms, animals show us a way back to a home they have never left.” Active since 2003, Forever Feisty Chinchilla Rescue has rescued over three hundred chinchillas. By bringing one of these Forever Feisty chinchillas into your life, you and your new companion may find a “forever home” in one another.
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