Hi,  I'm Carise.   I decided on a whim to start ForCHINate Chins in January of 2003 because of a post I saw on the Freecycle website.  The post stated: Offer: Chinchilla with cage, so I got excited and opened it, I thought my boys would love a new friend!  When I opened the email, it read, I am sick of taking care of it! I replied to the man via email, and waited for a response.  That afternoon he called me on my cell phone and told me that he had already given the chin away to the first response.  I asked if they knew anything about chins, and he said he didn't care, and that he just wanted the thing out of his house.  I was heartbroken for the chin, as this could mean his death if the new owner didn't do any research about chins, so I thought that if I couldn't help that chin, that I could help others!!  The Chincessories store soon followed.

Here are some photos of myself and my family

Our chinnies, Smokey, Chewy, Chilly, Pinky, and Zorro

(Chilly was one of our first rescues....and he stole our hearts)   

Our rabbit, Bugs Bunny

Our silly kitties, Angel and Shadow

Solana, my daughter

Jason, Jr., my son

Boyfriend Jason and our son Jason, Jr.

...and finally, a photo of myself!