Kids Shared Smelly, Squalid 'Hoarder House' with 331 Chinchillas

WAUKESHA, WI — The parents of three children found living in a squalid home with 331 chinchillas and 25 chinchilla carcasses could face child-neglect charges, according to Waukesha police.

The children are 7, 9 and 17, and they were living in “deplorable” conditions, according to Capt. Ron Oremus. Police were called the house on March 29 to investigate comments made on social media that compelled a well-being check. Quickly, the officers recognized that the house was “a hoarder home based on the pathways through the residence to negotiate through the stacks of clothing and various belongings.”

The living room and dining room were filled with chinchillas. Dead chinchillas were found in the garage and in a basement freezer alongside bacon, bologna and other foods.

Police said the ammonia odor inside the rental property was overwhelming. The fire department tested the air, which was found to be unsafe to breathe. Police said one child is being treated for a respiratory issue. The three are now staying with relatives.

The Humane Animal Welfare Society was called in to check on the welfare of the chinchillas and remove them from the house. The parents refused to give up the critters. Department of Health and Human Services is investigating, too.

“They actually had cages that were fairly substantial, not temporary. It appeared they were built-in cages constructed in the house and had areas for the waste to drop, and it wasn’t being addressed quickly and there was a lot of it,” Waukesha Fire Marshal Brian Charlesworth told WISN TV.

Police said the family described the indoor chinchilla farm as a family business.

“Child neglect charges will be referred for each of the parents,” according to a police statement. “We are also exploring charges reference the poor treatment of the animals.”

HAWS is seeking donations to cover the cost of treating and caring for the chinchillas.

“We’re going to have to lean on all of our shelter partners to help us find homes for them. It’s going to be difficult enough to find homes for a handful here in Southeastern Wisconsin. They’re not a popular pet,” Jennifer Smeza of HAWS told the TV station.

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