The Humane World for Animals recently took around one thousand chinchillas from an Ohio breeding facility. The poor animals were left in incredibly unsafe, unsanitary conditions. Now, they’re on their path to recovery, but they’ll need loving humans to help care for them.
Authorities Rescue 1000 Chinchillas in Ohio
On November 3, Humane World for Animals rescued approximately 1,000 chinchillas from horrific conditions at a commercial breeding facility in Ohio, R & R Chinchilla. The U.S. Department of Justice enlisted the organization’s help in saving the animals after numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
“On Oct. 13, Humane World for Animals rescuers entered a dark, bleak environment where they were met with hundreds of chinchillas in rows of filthy wire cages,” the organization writes. “Over the course of two days, the team brought 642 chinchillas to safety. On Nov. 3, the responders returned to rescue the remaining 309 chinchillas from the facility after federal authorities secured their surrender. In total, Humane World for Animals removed 951 chinchillas from the now-shuttered facility.”
Thankfully, the chinchillas are now receiving proper veterinary treatment. Sadly, many of them have sustained serious injuries from their time in captivity in poor conditions. Laura Koivula, director of animal crimes and investigations for Humane World for Animals, issued an official statement on the matter.
“The darkness, filth, and utter confinement these chinchillas have languished in is a striking contrast to the lives chinchillas are meant to experience—bathing in volcanic ash and socializing in herds in the Andes Mountains. It was like walking through a factory of forgotten souls,” Koivula said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the chinchillas settle into a safe place and express natural behaviors, like enjoying their first dust baths in our care,” she added. “We are grateful to the Department of Justice for securing their surrender so they can have a chance at a better future.”
The Rescued Animals Now Need Adopters
As the chinchillas recover, they will need safe, secure homes with responsible humans to care for them. Boston’s MSPCA-Angell is looking for adopters for more than 60 of the rescued chinchillas.
“[Humane World] reached out to us for help when the scope of the operation became clear, as we’ve collaborated on these kinds of large-scale cases in the past,” MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley shared.
“Obviously taking in animals and rehoming them is a big piece of this, but there’s more to it,” he continued. “We also sent several staff members out-of-state to help Humane World with intake and daily care of the chinchillas.”
MSPCA-Angell staff went to the Humane World facilities over two weekends in October and collectively brought 63 chinchillas back to Massachusetts.
“We’ve long been saying that the only way to address the most pressing issues in animal welfare is for groups to work together, and this rescue is a perfect example of that.”
Those interested in adopting one of the chinchillas in need can seek more information on the organization’s website.
One Thousand Chinchillas Rescued From Ohio Breeding Facility Now Need Homes