Please keep this in mind when rescuing or adopting a ferret

This is a story, author unknown, about shelter ferrets. Please keep this in mind if you plan on getting a ferret, and consider adopting rather than encouraging pet stores to flood the market with baby ferrets while some many wonderful older kits and adults go without, waiting for a home to call their own

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, all nicely tucked in my warm bed, I'd like to open my baggage Lest I forget, There is so much to carry- So much to regret.

Hmmm... Yes there it is, right on the top, Let's unpack Loneliness, heartache and loss, and there by my carrier hides Fear and Shame.

As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave- I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, but I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.

Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack? Or will you just look at my things- and take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack?

To put away my baggage, To never repack? I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,

But I do come with baggage - Will you still want me?

A Task for Ferret Lovers

It bothers many of us to see our beloved ferrets in pet stores, looking adorable, often in less than ideal situations simply waiting for impulse buyers to swoop in and take them. We tend to feel helpless in these situations, and resigned to the fact that the animals are being kept in sawdust or not given food or appropriate care. There are, however, things that you can do to improve the ferret's condition and plight.

1) If possible, check the animal over to ensure it is healthy and insist on proper vet care if it is not. Most pet stores do not have staff knowledgeable enough to be able to tell whether the ferret is well. If you suspect that the animal is sickly, politely explain to the attendant, manager or kennel tech (depending on the store), that the animal may be sick and why you suspect this. Giving them valid information will make your claim more credible. Ask which vet the store uses and, if it is not a ferret-appropriate vet, offer the name of a near-by vet that treats ferrets.

2) Say no to saw dust. Because ferrets are small animals, most people that clean the cage assume that ferrets should be kept in sawdust. Explain that ferrets should be given warm, fuzzy blankets and beds, similar to what one would give to a puppy or kitten and most importantly, explain to the attendant that sawdust has been linked to respiratory infections and lung cancers in ferrets.

3) Offer up some toy suggestions - most attendants have no idea what toys are suitable for ferrets, so name a few - give them some examples.

4) If you notice an attendant doing something inappropriate such as feeding ferrets sweets or other foods which can cause health problems, politely inform that they are risking the animal's health. If they respond with "but they like it" or a similar response, follow up with a simple statement of fact such as "I am sure that dogs love chocolate as well, but that does not make it safe for the animal to eat it" - this may help the attendant realize that the animal enjoying the food does not mean that the food is safe for the animal.

5) If you are part of a ferret organization or club, or simply a ferret enthusiast, offer your contact information and make yourself available to answer any ferret-related questions that the employees may have. Offering to do a free information session for the staff may be a good idea and help with creating a ferret- educated pet store staff.

6) Rather than simply claiming to be a ferret expert, providing literature, business cards linking you with a ferret organization or bringing pamphlets containing ferret specific information will help give the employees context. Doing so can help transform you from "local crazy" to someone who may actually know something in the eyes of the employees.

7) ALWAYS be polite and respectful, no matter how frustrating the situation. The old saying "you can catch more flies with honey" lends itself well to this situation. Remember: most of these people are low level employees and are not deliberately harming the animals - they simply don't know any better. You will also gain more ground with the higher ups if you are polite and respectful; make it clear that your focus is simply to improve the situation of ferrets in their store and that your emphasis is on the health of the animal - after all, well adjusted, happy, healthy animals cost the store less and sell better than sick, unhappy and aggressive animals.

Having a ferret-safe Christmas

The holiday season is full on hidden dangers for our beloved pets. Most people are already aware that chocolate and alcohol are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets, sweets are tough on their digestive systems and to avoid tinsel as some animals LOVE to eat it and it can tear through their intestines like shards of glass. Now here are a few special considerations for those beloved pet ferrets...

Consider keeping the tree is a ferret-free area of your house, or placing a ferret gate around the tree to keep your pets a safe distance away. If this is not possible, then there are certain precautions that you should take. 

1) if you have a real tree, avoid putting any fertilizer or tree preserver in the water. Ferrets have extremely long necks and skinny faces - they can often manage to get to the water and seem to really enjoy taking sips from this neat, new water container.
2) Decorate with caution. Be sure to place any and all fragile ornaments and decorations well out of ferret reach - broken glass can injure your pet and losing your favourite ornaments can be quite upsetting.
3) Be sure to place lights out of reach to reduce risk of electrical shock. Lights look very interesting to some ferrets, and they may decide that lights should be played with and put in their mouths. Placing the bulb/ bright portion out of their reach may reduce the likelihood of your ferret being tempted by these fancy new 'toys'.
4) If the tree is on an unstable base, consider tethering it to the roof or wall. If your ferret attempts to jump at ornaments on the tree or is interested in pulling garland off the tree, the tree will rock and may wind up falling on to your beloved pet. Falling trees also damage ornaments and gifts which have been placed under the tree.
5) Be careful with placing gifts under the tree - some ferrets feel the need to unwrap and play with these items, especially if their contents are candy or chocolate.
6) Always supervise your pet around the Christmas tree - some ferrets are incredibly good climbing  trees (though they are quite bad at descending without falling), and who knows what trouble they will get in to way up there!
7) Christmas gifts are fun for us, but are our gifts safe for the ferret? Resist the urge to leave un-safe gifts under the Christmas Tree after the present opening is complete. A toy truck, for instance, is a great toy for a child, but the small rubber tires can put your beloved pet at risk.
8) Don't forget about the stockings! Keep their contents well out of fuzzy reach and out of harm's way. While people will often remember to move their larger gifts, stockings are sometimes forgotten on coffee tables or fire place hearths, ready for ferrets to plunder.
9) Consider letting fuzzy out after the initial Christmas morning excitement. Your ferret will pick up on the hyper vibe and most likely be extra excited during present opening. They may be running and bouncing about and could easily get trod on in all the excitement and confusion that inevitably goes along with Christmas gift opening.  They may also choose to pick through newly opened gifts and ferret away their favourites before you get to enjoy them.
10) Not all guests are ferret aware or ferret friendly. Consider locking fuzzy away when non-ferret people come over to enjoy the celebrations. This will help prevent your pet from accidentally getting sat on, stepped on or let out by those unfamiliar with ferrets and their behaviour.



If you can think of any more Christmas dangers for your pet ferret, let us know and have a happy holiday!

Pawsitively Gifted - Ferret Booth

Our friends at Pawsitively Gifted (1234 4th Avenue, Prince George, BC) have let us know that they are having a sidwalk sale Saturday August 7th, and asked us if we would like to set up a booth there. We jumped at the chance!!!

We will be there from 10-2 (or later if demand is there) with a table, some pamphlets and most likely two of our adoptable ferrets. If anyone has any questions or wants to meet some of our adoptable ferrets, do not hesitate to stop by!!!