Chinchilla update: HAWS thanks community for support; owner still will not surrender animals
WAUKESHA (WITI) -- HAWS, the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County is thanking the community for its support as it continues to care for 331 chinchillas pulled from a home in Waukesha last week. HAWS says it continues to care for the chinchillas as it encourages the animals' owner to release the animals to HAWS.
HAWS said this in a statement to FOX6 News Monday, April 6th -- just over one week since the animals were pulled from the home on Melody Lane near Laura Lane.
"HAWS is incredibly thankful for the community’s support and the overwhelming generosity of the public while we continue to care for the over 300 chinchillas seized on March 29th from a home within the city of Waukesha.
Unfortunately, as of (April 6th), HAWS is still only responsible for the housing and general care of the chinchilla herd.
“All we can do at this point is to continue giving them care,” noted HAWS’ Executive Director Lynn Olenik. “Our hands are tied.”
HAWS is working with the owner of the chinchillas to encourage their release to HAWS, so the animals may be placed in adoptive homes as pets as opposed to releasing them to a breeding situation.
It is in the hands of the District Attorney and local law enforcement as to the outcome of this case. It is HAWS’ fervent hope that authorities will do what is best for the lives of the chinchilla herd."
If you would like to help HAWS care for the hundreds of chinchillas now in their care, you can help by doing one or more of the following:
Donations of timothy hay, chinchilla dust, food and money to cover their care can still be made:
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department tells FOX6 News this case has been handed over to the District Attorney's Office for review and possible charges. Three children lived in the home the chinchillas were pulled from -- ages seven, nine and 17.