November update

Adopted:

• Marty and Blaze are being fostered permanently. The pair has been in three different foster homes and we're happy that they have finally settled down.
• Another Black Jack has found a home and we hope she benefits from a loving environment.
  
• Buffy and Jody were adopted and join a group of three other ferrets. This energetic duo deserved to go to a good home after spending almost a year at the shelter.
  

Arrivals:

• Rob Roblin was found abandoned in an empty apartment. We're surprised that his abandonment has left no damaging effects to his playfulness and overall appearance. We're excited to see him develop into an even more beautiful ferret!
• Since her arrival, Punkin Pie has already gained six ounces and is on her way to recovery. Despite being severely neglected, Punkin Pie has been a sweetheart.
  
• The aptly named Girl Next Door was surrendered by one of the neighbors of the director. Up until her arrival at The Ferret Inn, she has never been out of her cage. When we let her out for the first time, she didn't know what to do with herself! She's about 8 months old, has beautiful soft fur and unique markings over her body.

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Before and after: Flea

Flea doesn't even look like the ferret she was just one month ago. When she arrived at The Ferret Inn, Flea was severely underweight and anemic because she had so many fleas on her. Her cage mate was not as fortunate and died a few hours after being rescued by our volunteers.



Both Flea and Rob Roblin come from the same local animal shelter. They have taken a liking to each other and are now cage mates. Flea is becoming more and more playful and never misses and opportunity to dook as loud as she can. Flea is looking better everyday and can't wait for a permament home.
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New arrival: Pumpkin Pie

Poor Pumpkin Pie was found in a cage outside on the freezing weather. She was put outside because the mom didn't want the smell in the house and the daughter lost interest. She was surrendered by an acquaintance of the previous owner. The guy who rescued her took her to a vet, but after the vet could not get a blood sample, the vet released her saying she'd have to stay overnight. She was then taken to The Ferret Inn and was unresponsive, severely dehydrated, barely breathing, and with a body temperature so low that the thermometer would not register. She was rushed to a ferret-knowledgeable vet and stayed overnight. Twenty-four hours later, she is conscious and able to move herself. Seeing how this is one of the worst neglect cases the director has seen, we cannot believe that she is alive today.





She also shows many burns on her foot pads and nose (possibly due to the severe cold), her legs are injured and still has trouble walking. She's very underweight and shy. However, she is eating dry kibble, prescription canned food and drinking water. We expect her to be in critical care for the next few weeks. This little chocolate has a cute mouse face and is probably around two years old. We can't wait for her to benefit from the nurturing environment that she's always deserved.
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The Giving Tree 2008

The Giving Tree is up for this holiday season. All of these ferrets are shelter ferrets like our own at The Ferret Inn. People can choose a ferret and send them gifts based on what's on their wish list. We all know how many resources it takes to raise them, so we encourage people to think about the ferrets this holiday season.



Ferrets from The Ferret Inn can be found on page 4. Please make sure to check out all fourteen pages.
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Spotlight on volunteers: Amanda

Amanda Mitchel has been with The Ferret Inn since the beginning of October 2008. She moved from Arizona and graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont. She's had four ferrets and currently works as a theater intern in DC.

How did you get interested in ferrets?

Well, when I was about 8, my mother and I decided it was time to get a pet that wasn't a rodent. Since my dad is allergic to cats and dogs, we decided a rabbit would be perfect. We researched for weeks, were all set up, went to the pet store--and fell in love with their only ferret. It's been true love ever since!


How did you find out about us and what made you want to volunteer?

Ever since I had to get rid of my ferrets when I went college, I've just missed being around them terribly. Once I realized I had some free weekends here, I started researching ferret shelters where I could donate some time. The Ferret Inn seemed particularly in need of help--and also particularly close, haha.

What's your favorite part about volunteering at The Ferret Inn?

Being around all the crazy personalities! Furry and otherwise.

And the least favorite part?

Well...honestly, who likes cleaning up poopy newspapers?

Do you have any favorite ferrets?

Haha, yeah. I just can't resist little Luna, Kitty, Clyde, Thelma and Louise, and Calypso. And then of course there's Aries and Socrates...and Tiff (one of the BlackJack 21).

What were your ferrets like?

Oh, I could go on for ages about my ferrets! But I'll try to sum them up. Ricki was my first ferret; she wasn't much of a cuddler, but kept us laughing. Bandit came along a bit later; she and Ricki were thick as thieves, but Bandit died shortly after we got her. Crysta was a little princess, who wanted nothing to do with any other ferrets, but loved people. She liked to hoard toys, too, and make little nests of her 'babies'. Cliff was the only ferret who could deal with Crysta, mainly becuase he was too doofy to realize she was trying to beat him up. He was incredibly sweet, and just always wanted to be around everybody (except in the living room...he was scared of it!).

What's it like not living with them anymore?

Not living with them now is a terribly hard adjustment. I miss the endless supply of love and smiles; I miss always having a playmate; I even miss having my feet bitten when I'm asleep! I don't know what else to say--it's like not having a pet. Fewer responsibilities, fewer bills, sure--but fewer rewards as well.



The Ferret Inn values its volunteers tremendously and is always in need of more. If you are interested in volunteering at The Ferret Inn, please email Fili at fili.telles@gmail.com.
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New arrival: Rob Roblin

Rob Roblin was found abandoned in an empty apartment. We cannot believe someone would leave behind this cuddly little guy. Despite coming from a neglected situation, Rob is sweet and has already become comfortable enough to dook and dance around the room.


We think he's around one and a half years old. And even though he looks healthy, he's a little thin. We're working on fattening him up to a healthy weight. We're surprised that his abandonment has left no damaging effects to his playfulness and overall appearance. We're excited to see him develop into an even more beautiful ferret!

To see more pictures of Rob Roblin, click here.

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Ferret and human flu season

Did you know that your ferrets can get the same strains of influenza as humans? And even more likely is that they will catch it from you, not vice versa! So remember to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your ferret(s) during this flu season and to avoid close contact if you or your ferret are exhibiting flu symptoms.



For more information, Dr. McLeod, DVM, writes a good article about ferrets and flu.

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October update

Adopted:

• Dookie went to a home after a long time at the shelter. After his bilateral adrenal surgery, his two cagemates Fiona and Cheedle no longer recognized him and Dookie had to be separated from his group. We are delighted that this story has a happy ending after all.
  
• One of the two male ferrets from the Black Jack 21 group was adopted by a loving ferret owner. Having never been in a home, the Black Jack boy will thrive in his new place.
  
• Templeton and Wilbur, the two strays that were reunited at the shelter, have been adopted. They will be missed, but we are happy they finally found a home.

• Cesar was adopted by me. He's since been renamed "Gummy Bear" and loves Opie, my other ferret.
  

Deaths:

• Chloe underwent surgery on October 22 for adrenal disease and insulinoma. A hairball was found during the surgery and was removed. Unfortunately, she did not recover from surgery and passed away on October 24.

• Flea #2 came from an animal shelter with a cage mate (Flea #3). They were both anemic because they were infested with fleas. Sadly, Flea #2 did not make it despite the efforts of our volunteers.
  

Arrivals:

• Flea #3 has been at The Inn for a little over two weeks, and after being severely underweight and anemic, her weight has already doubled and she looks better every day. While at the vet, she received a life-saving blood transfusion from the Black Jack boy (who was adopted later).
  

• Since their arrival, The Black Jack 21 have become more playful and comfortable in their new environment. We are always excited to see the different personalities developing among the sea of weasels. We placed the group in a tree-story Ferret Nation cage. And even though the levels are all connected, the entire group prefers to sleep on top of each other.
  

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Spotlight on volunteers: Cortney

Cortney Baca has been with The Ferret Inn since the beginning of September 2008. She got married in June and moved from New Mexico in July. She's been coming Tuesdays and Thursdays and, other than scooping and fluffing, she's The Ferret Inn's "scribe."

How did you become interested in ferrets and The Ferret Inn?

My husband and I have always loved animals, and we're constantly looking for new ways to help and to bring new critters into our lives. When we first moved here, I needed a job and was searching online for a job where I could put my love for furry friends to good use. I saw your website and was touched by the work, but I was very busy then, so I put it in the back of my mind. A month or so later, we were at a pet store picking up food, litter, etc. and Antony was really into the ferrets. I suggested we learn more about taking care of them and went home to research online. I read loads of information, but I wanted something more concrete.Then it clicked! I remembered "the Ferret Inn" online, and thought what better way to learn more about them than to volunteer and care for them hands-on. The rest, as they say, is history!

Do you have any ferrets, or other pets?

We don't have any ferrets yet, we are still getting settled into our new life and think that ferret keeping is a big project better suited for our future goals. We do have 3 fishtanks with various aquatic friends and 3 rescue cats that have come into our lives. Midna, Ganon and Azrael.

What's your favorite part about volunteering at The Ferret Inn?

I'd have to go with....kisses. No, maybe cucumber snack time. Well, maybe its big rowdy play sessions...No, probably Nancy's coffee. Well, lets just say I love everything about volunteering, but most of all I love the feeling of helping out the ones that can't help themselves.

What's your least favorite part about volunteering at The Ferret Inn?

Bad poop.

Do you have a favorite ferret?

I've got several favorites. Jumpin' Bean (from the Black Jack Crew), Luna, Buffy and Jody...those are probably my favorite friends.

How did you learn most of the ferrets' names in just under a month.

I can't remember human names for the life of me, but I've always had a knack for animal names. It might have something to do with the fact that I talk to them all day while I'm cleaning, using names over and over helps you to remember. I feel bad when animals don't have a name, so I like to be polite and use their names whenever I can. :)

You recently got a job. What is it that you do?

I'm teaching dance at a local studio. I've been dancing since I was 13, and am planning on going back to school to finish my dance degree. I love working with the kids and passing on my love of the arts to the next generation.

What's it like to be a newlywed while being away from the people and places you've known your entire life?

It's hard. I miss my friends and family, but we will be seeing them at Christmas. When we were in Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX, we were right on the border to Mexico, so one of the things I miss most is authentic Mexican food. We miss the desert some, but the change in scenery is most welcome. I love the trees and creeks, the pathways by our house are gorgeous. That is something you don't get back home. So far as being newlyweds on top of that, there are pros and cons. For the pros, we get to spend lots of time just the two of us, which we didn't back home, because we shared the same group of close-knit friends, so we were always in a big group. For the cons, we spent lots of time just the two of us, hahaha. We can bug each other quickly. We are enjoying settling into our new place and getting to know the area, though.


The Ferret Inn highly values its volunteers and is always in need of more. If you are interested in volunteering at The Ferret Inn, please email Fili at fili.telles@gmail.com.
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Special delivery: 21 ferrets!

We want to introduce you to a new “special collection” of ferrets available for immediate adoption! These 21 ferrets (19 jills and 2 hobbs) have come to us via a research facility. They are some of the most beautiful fitches and points, with little dark noses, luscious coats and lovely dispositions. Prior to their arrival they led a very sterile and unstimulated life. We are always amazed to see how eager they are for affection and are very engaging with our staff. The arrival of these special kids is an event here at the "Inn". Watching these ferrets running through tubes, pouncing on crinkle sacks, and popping in peanuts for the first time, is a real tear jerker! We are grateful that the folks at the research facility have chosen us to mainstream these ferrets into homes and allow them the life they so deserve.

The research done on these little ones has left no ill-effects. In fact, they have all been properly vetted with all shots and are ADV negative! A year of so ago we received a smaller group of ferrets from a research facility and we were able to place each of them into their forever homes in a very short time.

We will be hosting an “Open House” to the public to meet our special houseguests and all of the other beautiful charges that are currently residing at the "Inn".




This is what happened when they were let loose for the first time:

See the rest of the pictures here.

If you are interested in adopting one of these ferrets, please fill out an adoption application.

Needless to say, The Ferret Inn is in need of volunteers to help with the extra time that it takes to care for 21 additional ferrets and their shenanigans. And as always, donations are most welcome! Read more...