Tanzy's Chinchilla Rescue NZ.
Taking in Rescue and Unwanted Chinchilla's
About Me
Welcome to the Chinchilla's of "Tanzy's Chinchilla Rescue NZ" official website.
My name is Lycia and I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. My passion is Chinchilla's, but I am also owned by two dogs, two cats, two cockatiels, four rabbits and one guineapig at present - even some of them have been 'rescues'.
I have been very fortunate to own chinchilla’s for the past five years and during this time have taken in 22 rescues, or as I call them ‘unwanted’ chinchilla’s, some have come to me with health issues, but, sadly, it’s generally been case of ‘no longer wanted’, so each has been purchased and received the veterinarian treatment required and also the care and attention they have all individually needed in order to ‘come right’, and now they are happily living out their days with me.
Starting an official rescue has been something I have been wanting to do for some time and it’s only recently that I have had some spare time to do so, it has taken a lot of work and dedication to even get this far, but it is a passion I have. I can’t say it took me long to think of the Rescues’ official name, Tanzy was my very first chinchilla (and she is the chinchilla is the logo) that I brought and within 24 hours she claimed my heart, it was not til later however that I noticed she had a few health problems so took Tanzy to the vet and sadly she was put to sleep. The vet explained how she had malocclusion and would have been bred from chinchilla's who had it and passed it on to Tanz, which I knew as at that point I was in touch with Tanzy’s breeder and she admitted it was passed on through those lines, although later she tried to deny it! Tanz was only 18 months old, I promised her that day, as she drifted off to sleep in my arms that I would never forget and do what I can to stop this sort of ‘breeding’ and what greater honour could there be but to start a rescue in her memory. Through the Rescue and my own breeding, if I can help make people aware of what can happen and improve the quality (health) - it's all worth it, but I'd sell my soul if it meant I could have Tanz back.
I will never say I am an ‘expert’ as I am far from it, but I have been very lucky to have known Sarah (who did a chinchilla rescue and boarding service in the North Island a year or so ago) and Sally, (who does a chinchilla rescue in the United States of America), without both of these ladies, well I wouldn’t know as much as I do now and am very grateful for all their time and effort in answering all my questions and to Sally who still does and gives me a lot of the encouragement I need to carry on.
As with any critter, there is always so much to learn and to be informed about and it is people’s arrogance when they say they “know it all”, it will never be the case!
Thank you for taking the time to pop in and read and please - if you have any questions, feel free to email me at: tanzychins@gmail.com.
Regards
Lycia
Tanzy
Yes, I used to breed .....
... my own personal chinchilla’s, not those that were purchased (by myself) on the understanding that they were rescues, or with Rescue funds; or because I felt they are rescues and need to come here; nor those that came here (by their original owner) under the rescue status or those given to me on the understanding that the original owner has first rights back to the chinchilla should my own circumstances change; or those that come with the original owner that should the chinchilla’s emotional, physical and health all meet and ready for adoption that I contact the original owner and give them first rights back; nor have the permanent rescues in my care ever been breed and nor will they ever be used for breeding not whilst in my care, in the rescue or even when/if they are adopted as it is in my contract that NO rescue shall ever be used for breeding, which must be completed prior to the chinchilla being adopted.
I don't currently breed my own chinchilla's now, I made that decision middle of 2008, I just couldn't justify it when I had more rescues in my home that I did my own chinchilla's (by ratio of 3:1 respectively) that all needed my time and care as well as my own, so my own breeding is on hold and it is a decision I am happy to have made.
I will continue to place those Chinchilla’s that I know are ready (and received the full amount of rehabilitation work on their emotional, physical, dietary needs and will flourish) into a new permanent home with their (vetted) new owner and that is entirely at my own discretion given each chinchilla’s own individual requirements.If you have an emergency....
If you have an emergency and need to get hold of me quickly, my cell phone number is 027 645 7344, please either send a text message or call. My phone is turned on between 9am and 10.30pm seven days a week, 365 days of the year regardless on if there is a public holiday. I can also be contacted at
tanzychins@gmail.com. Or the landline number is 03 930 3946, if I am not in, please leave a message on the answer phone and I will return your call as soon as I can.My Stance
Incase this needs to be said, I do not support pelting (fur breeding) in any way, shape or form nor do I support breeding chinchilla’s in the hopes of making money. Chinchilla’s need to be protected - not sacrificed for their soft fur or because the people see them and have dollar signs flashing before their eyes!
Information Copyright
Where I do find my information (including photographs) on other sites or publications etc, I will be following this up.
