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Post by feistychins on Jan 28, 2011 19:08:35 GMT -5
Does anyone know of a good reputable chin rescue in PA? So many rescues have closed in the last year or so.
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Post by booboo on Jan 28, 2011 19:51:31 GMT -5
I asked a person who lives in PA. I'll let you know =)
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Post by booboo on Jan 28, 2011 21:33:52 GMT -5
The lady I talked to said that as far as she knows, there aren't any reputable rescues in PA. She said there are several breeders who take in rescues here and there.
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Post by Jamie on Jan 29, 2011 0:34:58 GMT -5
Andrea and friends
Because of your question I went on a rampage trying to find a good rescue in Pennsylvania. On this day I ended up looking at rescues, humane societies ,even petfinder.
About the 3rrd hour in I began to cry. I looked at Rabbits, mice , chinchillas , ferrets rats, ...ALL DAY that were given up.
Our member "rescuers" both the professional and members that adopt from rescues are angels in my opinion.
The question I have is how can we educate people and change this dire need, this world of lonely animals. I didnt even look at dogs and cats.
I asked this question when I volunteered at the Utah Humane Society.. and they had no answer for me. One administrator told me people dont always do their homework, or they dont know what they are getting in to.
Here's the thing. I am hopefully going to begin a Lucky's Place class. My first class will be at the well known Hutchings Museum here in Salt Lake. If this goes well I will spend my own money to travel the US though my vision is that there will be many Lucky's Place members teaching by years end.
What would you say is the best way in these classes to teach people about how we need to RESCUE , but also teach about love and care so there will be way less need for rescuing?
It seems to me in this bountiful world animals should not be discarded as they are.
Jamie
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Post by narnibird on Jan 29, 2011 1:14:39 GMT -5
I bet if you showed slides of pictures of chinchillas who are waiting for homes and/or who were mistreated and are in rescues and sanctuaries, that would start to get the point across. If people saw the sheer numbers--so many that most will not ever be able to know all their names at just 5 rescues & sanctuaries--they might think longer about it.
I mean shoot, if you showed pictures of pets, a mixture of chins adopted from rescues and those bought from breeders, and asked people to tell which chin was which, and they realized they couldn't tell (in most cases), they might even decide that adoption is the way to go. Out of our pets here...every one but Pepper was adopted; Pepper I bought from a pet store after he recovered. You could do it on a poster board. Have 12 pictures of chins, only 1 from a breeder directly, and have on the top of it "Can you tell which chin is from a breeder?"
I did something similar when I did a seminar on LGBT folks, and most people guessed wrong, and I will never forget the soft "oh!"s I heard when I gave the answer. It caused people to pause and consider what I was saying, instead of just writing it off as another thing they already knew.
I think pictures, because those are things most people can't ignore. You can tune out words, but not usually pictures, especially if they are paired with touching music.
When we were in Kentucky, we went to a rescue fair every year. It never ceased to amaze me, the number of people who came up and said "you mean there are chinchillas that need to be rescued?" We'd have a good 50 people say that to us. So some people don't even stop to think that animals besides cats and dogs are homeless.
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Post by feistychins on Jan 29, 2011 2:06:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the world of rescue Jamie......it is one of the most frustrating and heartbreaking jobs around.
Beleive me, if there had been a chin rescue in PA, basically, I would not have posted this question. I was really hoping someone new had come along that I didn't know about and that is why I asked.
As much as I try to inform people and yes my web site is still a work in progress to get the complete message out, they just don't get that there really is a huge homeless problem for small animals in this country.
I don't know if people are really aware of it, but there is a huge homeless crisis for chinchillas in several states in the Northeast part of the US. I am the only full time chinchilla rescue in the New England area and I actually have quite a large rescue. I still can't keep up with the amount of surrenders. I would need a space three times what I have now and a full time staff of at least 2-3 people to help. That is how bad it is if I took every chin I was asked to take. An example.....in the last week I have been asked to rescue 10 chins. There had only been a couple of rescues in this area about 3 years ago and they have all closed. A couple of bunny rescues occasionally take in a chin, but they are overwhelmed with bunnies and really don't know about chins.
I travel through seven states to rescue and adopt chins including my own of course. The states bordering beyond that have had chin rescues or breeders close or stop taking in rescues. I am being contacted by people further and further away from me asking for help. The woman in PA is one of them.
It horrifies me and breaks my heart. I sit at my computer some days and just cry because there are so many asking me for help and I just don't have any more room or funds to be able to take them all. I always take life threatening emergencies and do rescue many, but the amount of surrenders way out balance the number of adoptions. We average about 100 rescues that live here all the time and right now I have about 108, so it is not like I have room for only a few chins. Plus, I am getting in more chins that have malocclusion, fur chewers or older chins that no one wants to adopt so they stay here with me which I am more than happy to provide them a home.
Please don't misunderstand me, I LOVE what I do and I LOVE these animals more than I can say. I have chosen to do this and don't regret it, but it is very frustrating to try to make people understand how serious of an issue this is.
If there is a very important message here it is that the breeding of these animals has to stop! There are not enough caring homes for them, period. No matter how much people are told they require a lot of care and not to get a 'pocket pet' for your kids as gifts or a passing phase, they still buy them all the time. Having no clue how to properly take care of them. Then they get dumped at the shelter where they will be euthanized if they are not adopted within a couple of weeks or rescues like mine are contacted.
If I had the answer to your question Jamie, I would have started to do something long ago.
As soon as I win the lottery I will have a contractor building my larger dream rescue for chins so fast it will make your head spin, lol. Until then........we all have to just keep plugging along and do the best that we can and help as many chins and other small animals as possible.
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Post by feistychins on Jan 29, 2011 2:11:28 GMT -5
This is SO TRUE!!
One of the biggest responses I get when I tell people what I do is either "I didn't even know there was such a thing as a chinchilla rescue" or "Is there a need for a chinchilla rescue?"
My response is always "You have no idea how MUCH of a need there is".
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Post by Jamie on Jan 29, 2011 6:46:52 GMT -5
thank you Marne and Andrea amazing and great posts
hugs jamie
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Post by charliebunny1 on Jan 29, 2011 7:26:12 GMT -5
its amazing that when we got chins in the rescue i volunteer at which we hardly ever do the staff had to ask the vet wot they needed coz they weren't sure, i had to tell them not to give them fruit or veg or other treats as the vet said this was ok sometimes, i know that maybe if given rarely they are but in my opinion its just not worth he risk, a few raisins a week ok but no fruits or veg. anyway, if we get people askin about the other chins we have (Herbie's family) i tell them everythin about wot they need and how much time they will take and that they don't always like to be cuddled like ppl assume, it may put people off but i don't want them to just go out to ppl that can't care for them, it has to be the right ppl.
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angel
Full Member
Posts: 206
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Post by angel on Jan 29, 2011 7:39:41 GMT -5
Unfortunately I don't know of any chin rescues in Pa. When I was looking to adopt ivthunk the closest to me was in Maryland. As much as I would love to have a rescue one day when I have the room, I'm not sure I have a strong enough heart for it.
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Post by chichismama on Feb 6, 2011 23:17:03 GMT -5
It's funny that I should read this. I was coming here to ask just how you become a rescuer. So much of my time and energy has been going into making a good life for my chins, ever since I rescued chi-chi months ago. I now have this thing where whenever I see an ad on CL where someone is getting rid of a chin I am compelled to volunteer my home first. Most times the people are just looking to make a few dollars, and I don't have the money to pay for every chin I see, but I do volunteer to allow the person to come into my home, meet my chins and then make a decision...this has led to me having 3 chins...
Also, I have an ad on CL volunteering to Chin-sit or foster chins, short term, instead or rehoming, and I decided that instead of charging a certain fee, I will take donations for my chins and their care.
I'm not sure I have what it takes to be an official rescuer, but the question is there, so I figured I'd ask. Since, "the only dumb question is the one that goes unasked", lol.
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Post by feistychins on Feb 7, 2011 2:29:36 GMT -5
I'm not exactly sure what you are asking? What state do you live in?
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Post by chichismama on Feb 7, 2011 12:29:14 GMT -5
I am asking how does one become a licensed pet rescuer. I am in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Post by feistychins on Feb 7, 2011 17:21:08 GMT -5
Well I have to tell you......we really need a chinchilla rescue in PA! Currently there are none and I have people contact me all the time from there.
You would have to check with your state government to see if you need any kind of a license or permit to have a chin rescue. Many states you don't need one, as I don't in CT. However, my business is registered with the state of CT as I am a corporation and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
I would suggest you start off slow to see if this is what you really want to do and to not overwhelm yourself. I started off with 8 cages, which filled up quickly once the word got around. I did not have a web site for the first three years I had my rescue, but people still learned about me through word of mouth and a chin chat forum.
I expanded about every six months. I would get a few cages whenever I had the money to get more and we would expand the space for the rescue. Your start up cost will depend on how big you want to start things off. Even a few cages will help to save some chins who need a home. You have to be able to handle vet bills and supplies as your biggest ongoing expense. There are times you rescue a lot of healthy chins and other times you will get one chin that you will be at the vet every week for. You just never know.
Make sure you have a great chinchilla knowledgeable vet you can depend on. That is vital to be able to help rescues.
Most important......don't take on more than you can handle. Also, be very careful about who you adopt to. There are a LOT of unscrupulous people out there looking to get chins for all the wrong reasons. Don't be afraid to ask question and yes, be very picky about adoption.
Rescue is very emotional work. No matter how much you think you know about chins......you will still learn something every day. You have to be willing to learn to better help these wonderful animals. I am constantly reading, researching, talking with vets, other rescues and chin parents to learn more and I have been living with chins for 10 years.
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Post by chichismama on Feb 8, 2011 0:42:27 GMT -5
Thanks so much for that! When I rescued Chi-chi it was totally by accident. He was left in a cage with NOTHING. Not even water. Since then, I've taken in two more. And I do plan to start slow. I hate biting off more that I can chew, but since I took him in every time I pass a Chin post on any site that says, "I just need him/her gone", my heart is flutterring, thinking of how sad it would be if the chin is hastily put in the wrong hands. My partner says that I'm obessed. I even post on CL volunteering to help owners by doing the work of finding a good owner for them, vs. pawning them off on the first one with a re-homing fee or fostering or sitting for them until their situation/work schedule. Figured I should make it official right? This is what I found earlier: www.ehow.com/how_4531380_start-pet-rescue-organization.htmlSound about right?
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Post by feistychins on Feb 8, 2011 3:08:51 GMT -5
Well in essence, that is a general idea. Some of the things I would not advise you do until you know for sure that things are working out for you and you are willing to be doing rescue for a while.
I know of so many rescues that have closed over the last couple of years. I will tell you that CL alone will keep you rescuing chins forever. There is always a never ending list of chins on there with people who are looking to dump an animal and I know that is a harsh word, but that is the attitude of people who post on there.
Just start out slow and make sure you have the space, supplies and funds to be able to take good care of the chins you will be taking in. Don't expect to be handed a bunch of free stuff or get donations. It does not happen like that. Plus most people want to know who you are and that you are legit (to prove yourself) and not someone who is doing this on a whim.
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Post by chichismama on Feb 8, 2011 4:07:08 GMT -5
Great advice! I will take it one day and one chin @ a time.
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Post by narnibird on Feb 8, 2011 5:33:37 GMT -5
And be careful. I would get an email address that only has your rescue name, not your name. Some people get really offended and nasty if you offer to rescue their chinchilla. If you are out of your home, I would suggest always meeting the surrenderer some place away from your home, unless they are enough states away that it won't be practical for them to harass you. You never know with people these days.
In Kentucky, it was always a risk with all the drug-users. They liked to break into people's homes and steal their animals to trade for drugs. And some people liked to actually (when they were manufacturers) test their drugs on animals. So it is always better to be safe than sorry.
We started with 8 cages as well, and after 6 months, we expanded by two, and the first year we expanded by number of chins, and then after that we expanded by number of cages. We did it by number of cages, because you can have pairs or trios in one cage. We have a set pet limit, a set sanctuary limit, a set boarding limit, and then a set rescue limit. When we are closed to surrenders, if we are contacted in an emergency, we double our efforts to find good foster homes, so that we don't go over our numbers.
We are still working to get our 501(c)3. We have finally finished all the documents that have to be written, but I have to send them to an accountant we know that does this on a regular basis, to make sure it is all good, and then we are sending it in. It's $300 to apply, and so I want to make sure we have a good chance of acceptance the first time.
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Post by feistychins on Feb 8, 2011 12:09:08 GMT -5
Yes, Marne is giving good advice.
I never allow anyone to drop a chin off at my rescue. That has been my policy since day one. Surrenders are much different than adoptions. You never know who you are dealing with. Have contracts written that need to be signed for surrenders and adoptions.
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Post by chichismama on Feb 8, 2011 15:11:37 GMT -5
I guess I should've read this first, lol. I'm not in CL war with some butt-head (excuse my french) that posts an ad every week about their chinchillas. I offered to help them find a home, not knowing it was the same person that I contacted last week that said, and I quote "At this point, I just want them gone..."
They were offering two chins a cage and supplies for 100 dollars, hmmm, sounds like a steal don't it??? The chins look like they NEED to be saved, lol. I guess my response was partially to see what the public would say about the idea of starting a chin rescue in the area. And as you said Marne, I don't want to start something and don't finish. Slow and steady help is the idea that I have...Well, lo-and behold, there was a response just for me, NOT in my inbox, but in on CL entitled: Chin Rescue Lady CRAZY, lol.
This lady keeps contacting me every time I list my chins. She says she is the first and only Chinchills Rescue in PA. One no she isn't cause my friend runs a rescue in PA and two she wont leave me the hell alone! Why is she sooooooo interested in having a million chins in her home. I think this woman has problems and all she can do is sit on CL all day looking for people trying to rehome there chins. If I wanted to put them in a shelter lady I would have called one! So stop hoarding the animals and leave me alone. Oh ya she says her name is Deidre Knight but her email says shes Sharnese Jones. I don't know a little strange to me.
See the email below........
Hello
My name is Deidre. I am currently in the beginning stages of starting pensylvania's one and only chinchilla rescue and adoption agency. If you feel that I can help you with fostering or finding a home for your chinchillas in any way, ple ase contact me asap.
Currently, I have three chins in my care and am not charging any finders fee. I am also not in the business of paying any fees for chins either. My goal is to take outstanding care of any chins in my care and help with finding great homes for chins. I do accept donations in the form of supplies for the chins in my care. I can foster chins; but any fees paid to adopt would go to the rescue; in that case; and if I help with adoption I would help you in finding a good home, provide adoption forms (keeping the one time adoption fee of 25 dollars that goes towards the rescue), do two home visits and keep up with family in the future. Also, if the chins should ever be rehomed in its lifespan for whatever reason they would be returned to the rescues care.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Best of wishes
Dee
Does that sound crazy? Should I cut the adoption fee part out. I only had that idea, because, well I don't know how much gas is where you are, but car fare for home visits cannot be counted as free...
And here is my response to them:
Thank you for your response, but I am not crazy. I have 3 chins. That are very well loved and taken care of. Not a million and if you know of another chin rescue in Philadelphia or PA. then I would like to speak with that person, because people like me have been trying to locate one for a while and there would be no need for me to start one, right. As far as we know they all closed last year. And the ONLY reason I had the idea of starting a reputable rescue is because I don't know of one, and there is a need, and two, because I have the time, love, room, and finances to begin one. It's hurtful that you would call me crazy as if I have spoken to you on a personal level. (OH, if you can read, I didn't say FIRST) If you would have returned any of my emails then I would know that you were the same person, and I would NOT contact you, but when I saw two chins, with what appears to be fur that has not touched dust in some time offered for 100 dollars with a cage then it rings alarms for me, because cages alone are pricey and it would appear that you are just trying to get rid of your chinchillas. Anyone looking to adopt a chin should have their own cage and supplies just to show that they really have a desire to do what it takes, or willing to pay a little more that that. Edit: and then I go look at that horrible cage. It could ruin their little paws with all that wiring. Is there a soft spot in there? You are the reason why...
In fact, I offered to help you, not HOUSE your chins. I am in the process of moving into a home with more space, where my chins would have their own room and room for more chins. In the meantime, I offered to help you by speaking with other rescuers that I know. I even offered to do home visits for you. I care about animals, children, adults--that's just who I am and what I do. I will NOT change that for anyone. If that makes me crazy, then I will certainly be that. GLADLY!
There are people out there that have chins that know nothing about them and want them only to give them a home. I would like to stop that. Sorry for caring. I have given you my phone number. And my emails usually even have my contact information for FACEBOOK. I happen to email you from a friends computer and didn't know I wasn't logged into my own account. Her name is Sharnese. That is my phone number. If you would like to speak to me, then I have given you every avenue to do so. Some people spend all day on TWITTER, or FACEBOOK socializing. I spend all day doing something that could help animals that cannot help themselves. SUE ME!
You said you didn't know WHY I was interested. And that I seem strange. What seems strange is that people with good souls are so rare that they are put into the crazy pile, without so much as the courtesy of asking a few questions before you draw silly conclusions. It would have been kind to ask instead of trying to embarrass someone with good intentions.
All I can say is God bless you:-) I truly do wish you the best of luck, but your posting only made me more passionate about being passionate about the things that I believe in. I live by the idea that when you have HATERS, it only means you are doing something NOBLE.
OK...SO AM I GOING OVERBOARD HERE? I mean I am out of work for the first time in my life, and have more time on my hands than ever before. Out of work, fortunately, doesn't mean poor or broke for me, so I figured I was putting my time to good use.
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