Chinchilla rescue

Last month, 331 chinchillas were seized from a couple living in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The furry critters were found in “uninhabitable” conditions—the house and cages were filthy, there were flies everywhere, and the ammonia reached toxic levels, causing a serious stench. The policemen even had to wear masks to bear the stinging sensations caused to their eyes and noses.

The 331 chinchillas were rescued and are now being housed at Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS). It has, however, proven to be a significantly expensive rescue—the welfare group spendsUS$2,000 (S$2,673) a day looking after them, and the critters’ numbers are multiplying. The different gendered chinchillas were not separated before the rescue, resulting in some already being pregnant. The waiting list for adoption currently stands at 80 eager animal lovers, but nothing can be done until the case against the offending couple, Garett and Tricia Rees, is closed. For the full news story, watch here:

They’ve been slapped with five misdemeanor charges, and await their court appearance on 15 June.