This is just a mean joke
By AZChins:
"I would never in a hundred years think anyone would turn me into animal control. It would have to be a neighbor or someone, who has been here."
On the contrary, I would think that the complaint could only come from someone who has NOT been there.
There was no specific complaint. If it were someone who has been there or anyone anywhere near there, the complaint would read with more detail: "It smells" or "Chinchillas are starving with their ribs showing", etc. I am 100% convinced that this report was out of someone being vindictive and absolutely NOT based on fact or personal experience with you.
A complaint of vague "neglect" could only come from someone who has never seen your Herd and just wants to hurt you. I have no doubt in my mind about that.
You have the most organized Chinchilla Herd that I've ever known. Let's see...
You name ALL of your Chinchillas
You buy thirty dollar bales of hay because you only settle for the best
You feed one of the most expensive Chinchilla pellets there is (IMO the best!)
You spend hundreds on toys
You take care of you Chinchillas fulltime with no outside employment
You spend hours with your customers
You recently went to a vet for an emergency C-section...(That is not something that a neglectful person would do!)
When the Humane Society has Chinchillas that they can't take on themselves THEY CALL YOU.
You have receipts showing food supplies, vet visits, toys...documentation of all of your Chinchillas - birthdays, sales, pedigrees.
You've maintained a good reputation for over 10 years - honest, loves these animals, a great amount of knowledge & experience. I've seen a lot of Breeders come & go, but you're still here, Your website is still here, You are obviously still very much actively involved with these animals & this community. The same could never be said of a neglectful owner.
If this were a complaint about the Number of Chinchillas that you have, what is Animal Control going to do? Demand that you get rid of 50? 100? 200? Where would those animals go? What does AC do when they confiscate animals? They try to find a Rescue for them. You ARE the Rescuer! If they tell you that your 'number' is too high - That means that they would rather see those Chinchillas die than be with you because There is no other choice.
They can't call you a hoarder because you keep track of every animal you have. You can give a run down of the personality of every Chinchilla that you have. You have MANY Chinchillas that are over a decade in age. You still have your very 1st Chinchilla.
If this were an abuse or neglect complaint...let's face it - Animal Control is going to be apologizing for wasting your time. I believe that they are going to be impressed when they see your beautiful Herd. You're not just 'Not Neglectful', you are at the extreme polar opposite of that! You live & breathe these animals. They are your life & your love. Your vet has told you a dozen times that your illness/mortality percentage is lower than anyone else with a number of animals.
How many people have walked into your house with the comment, "Wow, if I didn't see the cages, I would never know that there are animals here because there is no animal smell". (My favorite compliment
)
The worst part of this ordeal is what you've been going through from the time you've received this notice to the time up until AC arrives on your doorstep. Once these people see you home, they will know that the complaint was complete bogus and the accusation is laughable. So, I'm really sorry about what you've been going through for the last 24 hours.
And To the person that did this to you - Way to go! You've successfully hurt Susan!
Dawnna
