First of all, apologies for not updating the diary for 2009 until now, but time has been very limited.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during the year – especially with the credit crunch when every penny counts.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated as without your help and donations, we could not continue to help these unfortunate furries.

During the year we have taken in nearly 100 chinchillas, including over 20 chinchillas from the RSPCA.  We also took in a tank full of fish and Boris, a 40 year old tortoise!  We have been lucky to re-home over 60 chins. 

We currently have nearly 70 chins available for adoption and a further 25 possibles – these do have ailments but we believe they deserve a loving home just as much as the healthy chins.  These ‘possible rehomers’ will only be available to experienced chinchilla homes where they will be able to receive the care and attention they need.

There are a further 35 chins currently being monitored and 50 are now permanent rescues.

During the year, we had to say good night to a few rescues, including
Sable, who was a delightful beige female.  She suffered from a prolapsed uteris and underwent surgery for a hysterectomy, making a full recovery.  We paired her up with Charlie who fell in love with her instantly.  Sadly, Sable began to suffer from kidney and liver failure – we didn’t know her age but believe she was in her late teens!

Mr F had been living here at the rescue along with his son, BB who is still with us.
We believe Mr F was about 19 years old.  He began to suffer with heart failure and passed away peacefully.

Dear Rambo, the chipmunk.  He was so tame and friendly, despite having to go to the vets every few weeks because of his incisors.  We believe Rambo was about 7 years old when he passed away.
On Christmas Day, we said goodnight to the lovely Dirk.  He had cheated death so many times before, but it all became too much for him.  Dirk was very well known at the vets, even to the point when Martin would say other chins were ‘doing a Dirk’ when they responded to treatment.  Dirk, I have cared for you for a few years now, it seems strange without you. Goodnight little fighter!

These are just a few of the rescues that have now gone over the rainbow bridge where they can run, free from pain.  Goodnight special ones
Throughout the year, we have had many highs but also many low points.  On a personal note, Roman had to undergo emergency surgery for a detached retina, so was unable to move for the first two weeks after the operation, which was 100% successful.  However, he will have blurred vision for a further 6 months.  Roman will need another operation this year for a cataract which is forming because of the gas used to repair the retina. 

Then in October, we had to say goodnight to our beloved great dane, Tiny, who is very sadly missed by us all.  Tiny was a gentle giant who had left a huge gap in our lives – we miss you big boy!!

As for the rescues, we have had many vets appointments during the year for various ailments and operations.  Many of the rescues are suffering from dental problems, which we monitor closely.  As long as the chinchilla has a good quality of life, we endeavour to make them as comfortable as possible.  

We lost one rescue to cancer, he was also showing signs of jaundice, so his kidneys were also affected, bless him.  Chelsea Girl also passed away, she had been suffering from bloat but with no improvement and nothing showing on the x-rays, our vet operated for further investigation.  It was found she was suffering from Typhilitis – something we had not come across before.

A pregnant rescue had to undergo a hysterecomy but was unable to feed her kit, so another female stepped in as step mum and the kit is doing very well.

Chewit decided to slice open his tongue, so I syringe fed him over a few weeks.  He did cause us some concern at times as he didn’t seem to be improving, he was also swallowing air , so developed bloat.  We eventually got him back to full health and he is now living with another permanent rescue called Lilly who has just undergone dental work.

Olive, who our vet operated on last year, removing her detached lens, is now showing similar symptoms in her other eye, glaucoma is also developing, so she will have to have surgery in this eye in the new year.

Bling has had to have two operations on her ‘missing’ ear.  She had to undergo a Total Ear Canal Ablation and is doing well so far, but again monitored closely.

One of the rescues we accepted from the RSPCA was Lara, a friendly standard female.  A cat had dragged her through a cat flap and she was found in the kitchen of someone’s home.  Enquires were made to try and find her owners, but no one came forward.  The RSPCA took her on, but they were having problems getting her to eat so asked for our help.  We had her x-rayed, and no broken bones were found but believe she was badly bruised.  She also suffered trauma to the right side of her face, affecting her eye.  We had to administer tear drops every day.  Lara is making a good recovery, and turning into a lovely chin.  We are hoping to put her up for adoption in the New Year, where she will be looking for an extra special home.

On a good note, we have had a TV crew here for a day, filming the chins and some of the work we do – so look out for Pet Shame which should be on Sky 1.  We were also honoured with having Jo Page here (from Gavin & Stacey) who was delighted to have a cuddle with Scruffy and Charlie.  As requested by all the film crew, a female kit is now named after her.

We managed to replace most of the cages in the hospital area during the year, thanks John, and aim to replace the cages in the rehoming section next, moving the old cages to quarantine – finances permitting, that is!