Chinchillas, hamsters suffer four-day layover en route to Newfoundland

GANDER, N.L. – Dozens of fish didn’t make it, but a contingent of small animals has arrived in Gander, N.L., dirty but apparently healthy after a four-day delay in Halifax.

The animals had been slated for a one-day trip to Pet Central Pet Store Wednesday from a Montreal supplier but got repeatedly bumped at Halifax’s international airport.

“I made 16 calls, I made eight attempts to go to the airport. I was frustrated, I was in tears to be honest with you,” said Pet Central manager Terri-Ann Crisby.

“I’m leaving my home and my family at 12:30 at night to go get these animals at the airport. And we had blizzards here too. So I was driving in extreme conditions.”

Crisby said the manager of a PetSmart store in Halifax kindly sent someone to feed and water the animals during the wait.

The animals — two chinchillas, two hamsters, and two gekos — finally made it Sunday morning. Most of about 40 fish, including goldfish, angel fish and guppies, weren’t so lucky.

“There’s probably only eight to 10 fish maybe that made it. The rest died.”

Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said Monday the shipment was delayed “due to weather.”

“We are now following up with the various parties involved,” he said in an email.

Crisby said her store has had repeated shipment problems since adding a live-animal section in September. She is looking for a new carrier, and said she will make the four-hour drive to the St. John’s airport if necessary.