Hugo Schwyzer

I’m in my office early on a Monday morning, catching up on tons of weekend e-mail and the like. 

Friday night, my fiancee and I hopped a red-eye to Detroit.  We are moving forward on the development of our Pet Homes for Ranch Chinchillas charity, and as part of that process, flew to Michigan to meet with Sally and Adam, the young couple who originally came up with the whole "Pet Homes for Ranchies" project.   Sally, Adam, my fiancee and I constitute the initial board of directors, though we have a couple of experienced chinchilla folks in mind whom we intend to ask to join us. 

Sally and Adam live in Jackson, Michigan, just over an hour west of Detroit.  We showed up late Saturday morning at their place, bleary-eyed but ready to talk chins.  The highlight of our visit (photos were taken, and will be up on the blog later this week) was spending quite some time with their forty-two wonderful chinchillas.  We got lots of chinnie kisses, rubbed lots of noses, fed a few treats, and watched a dozen dust baths.  We got to hold a few former ranch chinchillas who have already been saved from pelting, and that was very emotional for us.

We’re all prepared to make re-homing ranch chinchillas a major part of our lives over the next few years.  There was much talk of the technical and legal aspects of running a 501(c)3, but also of how we hope to reach out not only to the chin community, but to the wider "pet world."  So few folks really understand how remarkable chinchillas are!  They are both much more work — and much more reward — than other rodents.  No offense to hamster lovers, but chins can live to twenty years; they require carefully monitored diets and a cool environment.  (Far too many folks assume chins can endure heat; they die above 75 degrees.  Next to pelting, heat stroke is the leading cause of untimely death for chinchillas in this country.  Love a chin, prepare to lay out capital for air conditioning!)  But the love these little creatures give is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I say that as a lifelong pet lover who was fortunate to grow up surrounded by dogs, cats, and horses.

There are so many organizations out there that deserve time and money.  In the midst of all of the suffering in the world, how can we justify giving so much time and attention — not to mention financial resources — to these small animals?  In a world of grinding poverty and unspeakable human suffering, is it irresponsible, perhaps even selfish,  to spend so much and work so hard to save cute little rodents from being pelted?  I’ve prayed a lot about that in recent months, recognizing that many of my fellow animal rights activists have shown a disturbing disregard for the well-being of their fellow humans.    I don’t like to think of myself as someone whose compassion is saved primarily for the adorable, the cuddly, and the soft!

But my beloved and I do tithe, and what we are giving to the Pet Homes for Ranch Chinchilla project does not affect what we are called to give to God.  We also believe that it is a fundamental good to struggle against all forms of suffering, whether that suffering is endured by humans or animals.   Chins, unlike almost other household pets in the United States, are regularly killed for their fur.  Imagine how anguished dog and cat owners would be in this country if they knew the breeds they loved were being turned into coats on a daily basis!  While we would love to see pelting ended, the goal of our charity is not to lobby for change.  The goal is to save chinchillas, as individuals or entire herds.  To do that, we will work cooperatively with individual ranchers.   No other organization in North America is single-mindedly dedicated to providing every chinchilla with the opportunity for a high-quality of life from birth until natural death.   

Ultimately, building the Kingdom of God is about more than justice for human beings. It is about good stewardship of the entire planet, and compassion and mercy and love for all of creation.  Though Scripture tells us that humans were made uniquely in God’s image, all life shares some aspect of the Creator.  When we protect and care for the most vulnerable parts of His creation, whatever they may be, I believe we are practicing intelligent, loving stewardship.  And I believe that a few of us have been called to protect and care for chinchillas, not because they are the only creatures that matter, but because their need is so great.

For what it’s worth, we did enjoy our whirl-wind visit to Michigan, despite the heat and oppressive humidity.  We spent some time in Ann Arbor, which has wonderful restaurants, and toured the massive campus of the university.  Yesterday, we drove around many different parts of Detroit, and had some particularly good ice cream in Grosse Pointe.  We arrived home just before midnight last night, absolutely exhausted but very happy, with lots of good ideas for the charity and even more love for chinchillas in our hearts.