Chinchilla rescue: from fur farms to fur-ever homes!

The tireless advocacy efforts and campaign work of Eco Veg Animals – Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only organisation dedicated to the protection of all animals – resulted in a law enforced to end the cruel fur industry in the region. Following the victory, as another fur farm finally shut down, 34 gentle, inquisitive chinchillas were destined for life – and death – inside a fur farm, but rescued by advocates at Eco Veg Animals just in time.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Animals Australia was able to help Eco Veg Animals with the rescue, veterinary care, and rehoming of the chinchillas through our emergency grants program.

All 34 rescued chinchillas have been placed in safe forever homes – where they will be properly cared for and seen for who they are, not what they produce.

Native to South America, short-tailed and long-tailed chinchillas are considered endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While their wild populations are suffering, they are also being bred and killed on fur farms in South America and Europe. While one animal being killed for their skin is one too many, shockingly as many as 150 chinchillas may be killed to produce a single full-length coat.

Their rescue comes at a time when animals trapped in factory farms have also been ‘collateral damage’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions upon millions of animals trapped in fur farms and other intensive farming systems have been killed and buried due to fears of the virus spreading between the animals and humans. In 2020, Denmark killed all 17 million mink on Danish fur farms for this reason, and animals around the world are still facing the same cruel fate (even those who are being bred for ‘pet’ stores).

Each and every animal who is raised and killed for clothing, be it a chinchilla, mink, cow, lamb, or duck, is an aware, feeling individual with a desire to live free from harm. Chinchillas can naturally live beyond ten years of age, and in the wild, they spend their time in large and highly social groups called ‘herds’. By confining them in cages until they are killed, the fur industry deprives these animals of their natural behaviours and lifespan.

The plight of these rescued animals is helping to shine a light on the cruel reality of the fur industry

Spared from confinement in barren cages and horrific, early deaths, these lucky little chinchillas are now free to express their natural behaviours – like dustbathing to clean their coats – and live out their lives.

While helping to raise awareness of fur farm cruelty in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and across the globe, the chinchillas are also spreading a message of hope – showing caring consumers that opting for animal-friendly clothing can change the world for these animals.

You can help animals, just like these chinchillas

By pledging to be fur-free, you can spare animals from suffering on cruel fur farms.

Opting for animal-friendly clothing is a simple and effective way to help shape the future we all dream of – one where compassion extends to all animals – domestic, wild, and farmed.