It’s been a long time since I’ve mentioned our chinchilla rescue work. As my regular readers know, in 2005, my wife and I started The Matilde Mission: Pet Homes for Ranch Chinchillas. Our partners, Adam and Sally Blacke of Michigan, handle the website and much of the actual rescue work; we handle much of the fundraising. The organization, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charity, was named for our first chinchilla, Matilde, who died in 2006.
Earlier this month, Texas authorities made the largest seizure of exotic animals in American history. Some 30,000 underfed and mistreated creatures — including snakes and lizards and large mammals — were rescued from Global Exports, an Arlington-based outfit. Among the animals removed were several hundred chinchillas. The Matilde Mission has been asked to provide financial assistance for the medical treatment, long-term housing, and eventual re-homing of 70 of the chinchillas — many of whom are on their way now to a partner rescue of ours in New Orleans. (Nice to think of refugees from Texas headed to Louisiana, for a change.) This is the biggest “ask” we’ve ever received in the history of the Mission, and we need your help.
Our donation page is here, and you can contribute (securely) as little as $5 with your Mastercard or Visa. Remember, donations made on or before December 31 are tax-deductible for 2009 taxes.
Many thanks.
I will donate when my bank thing clears up. Thank you for what you do!