Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative

10/28/2026

📢 **IMPORTANT CHINCHILLA HEALTH INFORMATION**

The Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative (ECBC) is sharing an important educational resource from the **Global Chinchilla Alliance** regarding *Streptococcus* (strep zoo) infections in chinchillas.

Following the recent seizure of approximately 800 chinchillas in Ohio, questions and concerns about exposure have become an important topic within the chinchilla community. As information continues to circulate, we believe it is important to share educational resources that can help breeders and pet owners make informed decisions about the health and safety of their animals.

🐭 **We encourage all chinchilla breeders, owners, rescues, and anyone with concerns about potential exposure to review this resource.**

🔗 **Learn more about strep in chinchillas:**

https://chinchillasanctuary.org/strep-zoo

(https://chinchillasanctuary.org/strep-zoo/)

**A few important reminders:**

Stay informed.

Seek information from knowledgeable, reputable sources.

• **Be proactive.**
If you have concerns about possible exposure, consult an experienced exotic animal veterinarian for guidance.

• **Practice responsible biosecurity.**
Take appropriate precautions when handling animals, sharing equipment, or introducing chinchillas from different environments.

• **Share responsibly.**
Help spread reliable information.

Our priority is the health and well-being of chinchillas and the protection of the broader chinchilla community. Education, communication, and responsible action are essential.

Concealing possible exposures and active cases only causes further harm to the chinchilla community and public as a whole.

Please share this resource to help ensure that chinchilla owners have access to this valuable information. 💙

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus disease (Strep zoo) in chinchillas: signs, animal and human risks, scientific studies, GCA magazine articles and prevention efforts.

10/28/2026

The board of Empress Chinchilla Breeder’s Cooperative (ECBC) has been aware of the R&R Chinchilla situation in Janera, Ohio since the beginning of August 2026 and we want to ensure the chinchilla community and the wider public that while the organization has been mostly silent publicly about the ever-evolving situation, we were neither ignoring nor being silent in the background during the process. Because of the organizations involved in the initial complaint and court filings, the eventual placement of 800 chinchillas was initially in limbo, and due to their beliefs and mission statements, any organization with any positive attitude towards breeding was barred from participation in placement – including ECBC.

ECBC board members were working diligently to support and advocate for the 10 page well-formulated and complete plan submitted to the Department of Justice and the lead prosecuting attorney on this case by the Global Chinchilla Alliance (GCA); a plan that provided a USDA licensed, secure location with complete quarantine of all the chinchillas, veterinary care, and the appropriate husbandry knowledge. This proposal would ensure these chinchillas were afforded the best chance at a life moving forward after appropriate quarantine periods for both pregnancy and communicable, zoonotic diseases, which this herd is known to harbor. This plan assumed 6-12 months to bring these animals to full health.

Despite industry experts providing the solution to a burgeoning problem, GCA was rebuffed, and the animals were slowly released into the care of PETA and Humane World for Animals (HWA) who had no plans in place aside from social media pleas to non-chinchilla shelters to take in these animals. Both of these organizations were informed of the presence of Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus in this herd, and the need for appropriate quarantines and testing; despite this information, they opted to farm out these already ill and vulnerable chinchillas piecemeal across the Eastern Seaboard, New England, and now the Midwest, to Humane Societies with little to no experience in chinchillas, and no warning of the zoonotic disease they may be carrying.

Members of ECBC have been diligently attempting to contact each of these places as posts show up on social media but have found that the warnings are akin to putting out an inferno with a glass of water. Because the industry experts were kept out of the conversation, despite repeated attempts to assist, these chinchillas are being put up for adoption already and sent out to pet stores in communities for sale, or adoption at the organizations who received them. The last of the chinchillas were removed from R&R on 10/13 and 10/14/2026 by HWA, and no appropriate quarantines, testing, or pregnancy holds have been performed in that amount of time, as pregnancy quarantine should be a minimum of 115 days. These chinchillas came from a breeder, so any females should be assumed pregnant and not sent to new homes. The chinchilla industry standard recommended minimum for quarantine is 30 days for males and animals too young to breed.

ECBC is disappointed that our information has been disregarded by both PETA and HWA, and most, if not all, of the locations that have received these chinchillas have expressed surprise at the information regarding a zoonotic illness. The possibility of cross-species infection including humans is known, and the warning was issued by GCA to those involved in this case. Any illnesses linked to these animals in non-chinchillas was 100% preventable, but because the chinchilla community lacks millions of dollars and a slick PR firm, we will be dealing with the fallout from this for years to come.

We at Empress Chinchilla feel that this reckless disregard for the health and safety of the chinchillas, and those who received them, to be utterly reprehensible and we condemn it in the strongest possible manner.

10/28/2026

💙 **A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY SAFE BIRD STORE!** 💙

The Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to **My Safe Bird Store** for their generous donation to our 2026 National Show raffle! 🎉

Finding safe, enriching toys for our chinchillas is so important, and My Safe Bird Store offers **a wonderful variety of chinchilla-safe options for toy parts and toss toys!** 🐭💙 Whether you're creating your own custom toys or looking for fun items to keep your chinchillas entertained, they offer great options to explore.

We are so grateful for businesses that support our chinchilla community and help make our national show special. Your generosity helps us continue bringing breeders and chinchilla enthusiasts together through education, fellowship, and our shared love for these amazing animals!

Please join us in thanking My Safe Bird Store for supporting ECBC and our 2026 National Show! 💙

🛍️ **Looking for chinchilla-safe toy supplies?** Be sure to check out My Safe Bird Store and explore their selection of toy parts and toss toys!

www.mysafebirdstore.com

My Safe Bird Store provides discounted healthy and organic bird food and bird safe toys and accessories. Don't put your birds at risk. Our environment is TOTALLY BIRD FREE. Free and discounted shipping available. International shipping discounted 10%

10/27/2026

Exciting things happening in the Colorado Branch!! Go on over and show Colorado some love !!!

10/22/2026

✨️​Why Chinchilla Shows Matter✨️

✨️​Main Focus: Breeding healthy chinchillas is a top priority for ethical breeders, and shows play a vital role in that mission.

✨️​Overcoming "Barn Blindness": When you only see your own animals in person, it prevents you from noticing flaws as you have nothing to compare them to. Shows allow you to compare your animals side by side with others' and learn what your program might be lacking.

✨️​Networking & Mentorship: Shows are an incredible wealth of knowledge, offering hands-on experience, training, and direct advice from experienced breeders. Animals are also entered via a numbering system so judges do not know who each animal belongs to. This allows for true unbiased comments on each individual animal based purely on what the judge is seeing infront of them in that moment.

​✨️Expert Critiques: Getting in-person evaluations helps you understand how to pair your animals for higher quality future generations—something impossible to do from pictures alone. After the show, you're also able to talk one on one with the judge(s) or other experienced breeders, ask questions, and learn hands on.

✨️​Expanding Your Breeding Program: Shows give you access to purchasing from distant breeders, allowing you to introduce crucial new health traits and bloodlines into your herd.

✨️​Have you been to a show? How have shows been valuable to you?✨️

✨️Want to attend your first show?
Let's chat now!✨️

10/17/2026

RESPONSIBLE RANCHING SERIES: Genetics & Understanding What We Produce**

Responsible ranching begins long before a litter is born. It starts with understanding the genetics behind the animals we choose to breed. 💙

As chinchilla breeders, we have a responsibility to look beyond beautiful colors and desirable coats. Understanding genetics helps us make informed breeding decisions, preserve quality, and prioritize the health and well-being of every animal in our herds.

🔹 **Know Your Genetics.** Learn the genetics behind your chinchillas, including color mutations, dominant and recessive traits, and the difference between what an animal visually expresses and what it may carry genetically.

🔹 **Understand Your Pairings.** Before breeding, research the genetic possibilities of your planned pairing. Know what outcomes to expect, what traits may be passed on, and whether there are genetic considerations that should influence your decision.

🔹 **Look Beyond Color.** A beautiful mutation is only one part of a chinchilla's overall value. Health, temperament, fur quality, conformation, and sound structure should all factor into responsible breeding decisions.

🔹 **Keep Accurate Records.** Pedigrees and breeding records are essential tools. They help us understand inheritance patterns, track the traits appearing in our herds, and make more informed decisions for future generations.

🔹 **Never Stop Learning.** Genetics can be complex, and none of us knows everything. Ask questions, consult experienced breeders, study reliable resources, and be willing to revisit what you think you know as you gain new information.

🔹 **Breed With a Purpose.** Every pairing should have a thoughtful goal beyond producing a particular color or selling offspring. Consider how the pairing contributes to the long-term health, quality, and improvement of your herd.

💙 **Remember: What we produce today influences the generations that follow.** Responsible breeders take the time to understand their animals, evaluate their breeding decisions objectively, and make choices with the future of the chinchilla in mind.

At ECBC, we believe education, shared knowledge, and responsible breeding practices help strengthen our chinchilla community and support the future of the animals we love.

**Know your genetics. Understand your herd. Breed responsibly.**

10/15/2026

💬 **Let’s talk genetics!** When planning a breeding, what genetic factor do you believe breeders most often overlook—and what advice would you give a newer breeder to help them make more informed pairing decisions?

Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇 Let’s learn from one another, exchange knowledge, and build a stronger chinchilla family together. 💙

10/14/2026

💙 A Heartfelt Thank You to ChinPals & Little Pals Pets!💙

We are so grateful to ChinPals and Little Pals Pets for their generous donation for the **ECBC 2026 National Show raffle!** 🐭🎁

It means so much to have wonderful businesses supporting our chinchilla community. Your kindness and generosity help make our National Show even more special, and we truly appreciate your support!

🐭 Help us show these wonderful businesses some love! Drop a 💙 in the comments to thank them for supporting ECBC, and tell us which toys or goodies your chinchillas would love most!

✨ Check them out and show your support!

🛍️ **Little Pals Pets**
Website: [https://www.littlepalspets.com/](https://www.littlepalspets.com/)

🐭 **ChinPals**
Social media, shop, and more: [https://linktr.ee/chinpals](https://linktr.ee/chinpals)

Thank you again for helping us build a stronger chinchilla family together! 💙

10/08/2026

🐭 Looking for a Chinchilla? Start With an ECBC Breeder. 💙

Finding the right chinchilla is about more than finding one you love. It’s about finding a breeder who is committed to the **health, quality, temperament, and well-being** of the animals they raise.

The Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative (ECBC)is proud to connect prospective chinchilla owners with breeders who are part of our organization and share a commitment to responsible ranching and continued education.

Our ECBC Breeder Directory is a great place to start your search. Whether you’re looking for a pet chinchilla or interested in learning more about pedigreed chinchillas and responsible breeding, our member breeders are available to help answer questions and guide you through the process.

💙 Why start with an ECBC breeder?

• Connect with breeders who are part of a community dedicated to chinchilla excellence
• Find breeders who value education and responsible ranching
• Ask questions about care, temperament, genetics, and pedigrees
• Get guidance before, during, and after bringing your chinchilla home
• Connect with breeders who are passionate about the future of the chinchilla fancy

And remember — a responsible breeder should be happy to answer your questions. Don't be afraid to ask about health, lineage, care, socialization, and what support they provide after your chinchilla comes home.

🐾 Ready to start your search?

Visit the ECBC Breeder Directory to find an ECBC member breeder:

https://www.empresschinchilla.org/breeder-referral-breeders

10/07/2026

🐭 RESPONSIBLE RANCHING | PART 3

Breeding With Purpose

Responsible ranching isn't simply about producing babies. It's about having a reason behind the pairings we make.

Every time we choose to breed two chinchillas, we are making a decision that can influence not only the next generation, but generations to come.

That means asking ourselves:

🧬 Why am I making this pairing?
What qualities are we hoping to preserve, improve, or learn from?

📖 What does the pedigree tell us?
Understanding the animals behind our chinchillas can help us make more informed breeding decisions.

⚖️ What are the strengths and weaknesses of each animal?
No chinchilla is perfect. Responsible breeding means looking at the whole animal—not just the traits we love most.

📊 Objectively Evaluating Our Animals

One of the most important parts of breeding with purpose is being able to objectively evaluate the chinchillas in our own herds.

It's easy to see the things we love about an animal, especially when we've raised them ourselves. But responsible ranching means learning to look beyond our personal attachment and honestly evaluate both strengths and weaknesses.

Using an objective scoring system at home can be an incredibly valuable tool. Regularly scoring your animals allows you to identify areas of strength, recognize areas that could be improved, track development over time, and make breeding decisions based on something more than simply “I really like this chinchilla.”

And objective evaluation doesn't mean being overly critical of our animals. It means being honest enough to learn from what we see.

🏆 The Value of an Unbiased Evaluation

This is also why attending shows is such an important part of responsible ranching.

Having your animals evaluated by experienced, unbiased judges gives you an opportunity to see your chinchillas through a different set of eyes.

The animal that looks exceptional to us at home may have areas that an experienced judge identifies as needing improvement. Likewise, a chinchilla we may have overlooked could have qualities that deserve greater consideration.

Neither perspective should stand alone.

Our own evaluations + objective scoring + unbiased evaluation at shows = better information for making better breeding decisions.

Shows aren't simply about winning ribbons. They are an opportunity to learn, receive feedback, compare our animals to a larger population, and continually improve our eye.

🏆 How does this pairing support our goals?
Whether our focus is conformation, fur quality, size, color, type, temperament, or preserving valuable lines, our breeding decisions should have a purpose.

❤️ Are both animals appropriate to contribute to the next generation?
Being willing to make the difficult decision not to breed an animal is just as important as knowing when an animal should be bred.

🔎 Are we evaluating the results?
Responsible ranching doesn't stop when the kits are born. We should look at what our pairings produce, learn from the results, and use that knowledge to make better decisions in the future.

Responsible ranching is about intentional breeding—not breeding simply because we can.

It means thinking beyond the next litter and considering the chinchilla we are working toward five, ten, or even twenty years from now.

And sometimes, responsible breeding means changing our plans when the animals in front of us tell us that we should.

At ECBC, we believe education, experience, evaluation, and a willingness to continually learn are all part of becoming a better rancher.

💙 The goal isn't simply to produce more chinchillas. It's to thoughtfully contribute to the future of the chinchilla.

💬 Let's talk:

Do you objectively score your chinchillas at home? And how has receiving an unbiased evaluation at a show influenced your breeding decisions?

Share your thoughts and experiences below. 👇