Davidson Chinchillas - Specialising in Charcoal Chinchillas

Chloe is a rescue who has well-and-truly landed on her feet! She is a character and a half and rules my bedroom with an iron paw.

Chloe was originally rescued with a male and a kit - apparently they had been abandoned in a garden in a cardboard box in the snow. All three chinchilla survived, despite the harsh treatment they had received.

They were adopted by a friend of mine who discovered that, unfortunately, Chloe was pregnant again. Chloe gave birth to a stillborn kit and she then went into a decline. Despite best efforts, she became withdrawn, lost weight, and began to fur chew badly. Following long discussions, my friend decided that a change of scenery and a complete break from the male chinchilla might prove beneficial and so Chloe came to the Manor.

At the time neither my friend nor I were sure Chloe would survive - she was very run down and depressed. It is possible that she had to endure multiple pregnancies before she was dumped with her mate and kit. The last, still-born kit was the final straw for Chloe - a sad reminder that indesciminate, constant breeding has disasterous consequences.

On arrival, Chloe was quarantined in my bedroom, away from the other chinchillas - both as a safety precaution (quarantine) and so that Chloe could settle into The Manor.

Over a period of weeks I tempted Chloe's appetite, built her weight back up, and watched her personality reveal itself. Chloe had some kind of traumatic event at some early stage in her life and she has had her left rear leg amputated at the hip. Despite this, Chloe gets around very well and now lives in in a large Paul Spooner wooden framed cage - she still lives in my bedroom and thoroughly enjoys watching TV (favourites are CSI and ER).

Chloe has regained all the weight she lost (and a bit more!) and her fur has grown back nicely. She enjoys a life in her own private Manor and will sit and stare at me until I give her a treat. It has been agreed that she will spend the rest of her days at the Manor.

Chloe is very unusual for a chinchilla - she craves heat and does not like being cold! I have a small reptile heat mat under her nest box. She lets me know, in no uncertain terms, if she is not happy about something - literally - she goes into her house and grumbles. It is vey funny. Currently I have discovered she does not like noise which disturbs her sleep (she grumbles), does not like being cold (grumbles until the heat mat is put on), and does not like other chinchillas (leaps about her cage like something possessed until the other chinchilla is removed from "her" bedroom).

My friend is kept constantly updated on Chloe and receives photos and webcam images regularly. A good decision was made -  Chloe's progress is proof that sometimes a change of scenery and adaptation to a chinchilla's preferences (however strange!) can work miracles.

Chloe is affectionatley known as "Madam", "Chlo-Chlo", and Her Ladyship.

Chloe a few days after arrival at The Manor.   

    Chloe as she is now.  

Intently watching CSI!