'Factory of forgotten souls': Humane World for Animals rescues nearly 1,000 chinchillas from dire conditions

Federal authorities requested assistance after years of Animal Welfare Act violations at an Ohio commercial breeding facility   

JENERA, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, completed the rescue of nearly 1,000 chinchillas from dire conditions in a commercial breeding operation in Ohio. The U.S. Department of Justice requested Humane World for Animals' assistance in rescuing the animals from R & R Chinchilla following years of Animal Welfare Act violations at the facility.

On Oct. 13, Humane World for Animals rescuers entered a dark, bleak environment where they were met with hundreds of chinchillas in rows of filthy wire cages. Over the course of two days, the team brought 642 chinchillas to safety. On Nov. 3, the responders returned to rescue the remaining 309 chinchillas from the facility after federal authorities secured their surrender. In total, Humane World for Animals removed 951 chinchillas from the now-shuttered facility.

Humane World for Animals transported the chinchillas to an undisclosed location to provide much-needed care and treatment. In-depth veterinary exams revealed that many of the chinchillas were suffering from a variety of ailments including severely matted fur, inflamed skin, overgrown teeth, scabs, sores and urine scalding. A number of chinchillas were found to be missing limbs, toes or ears.

"The darkness, filth and utter confinement these chinchillas have languished in is a striking contrast to the lives chinchillas are meant to experience—bathing in volcanic ash and socializing in herds in the Andes Mountains. It was like walking through a factory of forgotten souls," said Laura Koivula, director of animal crimes and investigations, Humane World for Animals. "It's incredibly rewarding to see the chinchillas settle into a safe place and express natural behaviors, like enjoying their first dust baths in our care. We are grateful to the Department of Justice for securing their surrender so they can have a chance at a better future."

Chinchillas are wild rodents who are endangered in their native mountainous habitats in South America due to pressures from hunting for fur, habitat destruction and the pet trade. 

"In the U.S. and around the world, chinchillas are confined and bred for the pet and fur trades, systems that treat wild animals as commodities rather than as living beings with complex welfare needs," said Laura Hagen, managing director of wildlife protection, Humane World for Animals. "The nearly 1,000 animals we rescued from these grim conditions are victims of an industry that puts profit first and leaves animals to suffer."

Humane World for Animals is working with its network of shelter and rescue partners to arrange placement for the chinchillas. Caring families prepared to meet chinchillas' unique, lifelong needs are encouraged to adopt from shelters or rescues. The organization urges the public to refrain from purchasing chinchillas from breeders or pet stores, which fuels an inherently cruel trade.

Media downloads:

Photos/b-roll of the chinchillas receiving care and treatment following their rescue.

Public record photos from USDA inspections of the facility

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About Humane World for Animals

Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals—formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International—addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world.
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SOURCE Humane World for Animals.