By now you are all aware that there were nearly 100 live ferrets
confiscated in Virginia Beach by local authorities. There are many
stories on the news and in local papers. Comments by one of the
authorities were made about them that leads any ferret owner to
believe this authority was not well-educated about ferrets. It is
tempting to call and/or write to "educate" or inform this person and
her organization about the inaccuracy of her statements.

If this is done, however, by yelling, cursing, being condescending or
insulting, all it does is make the people there less likely to want to
work with the ferret community - and especially local ferret shelters
and owners - in the future. Local ferret experts are in contact with
the SPCA and the local animal control facilities where the ferrets are
being housed to clarify the specific needs of domesticated ferrets.
They will also let them know about the need to keep the ferrets on a
similar diet to the ones they had been on so they will continue to eat
and to check to see if bedding is needed. In my experience, ferret
specific bedding is always welcomed at a shelter, as is friendly,
useful advice.

What can YOU do?

First, ignore the temptation to call Virginia Beach authorities to "set
the record straight." It will not help and will most likely not be well
received. After contacting the SPCA, it was learned that some of the
news reports misquoted AC officials. They are aware of the domestic
nature of ferrets. Here is a statement from their office:

We have a wildlife rehabilitation program in which we care for wild
birds and mammals, and are aware that ferrets available in pet stores
and from private breeders are a domesticated species and are not an
indigenous species. We would also not advocate abandoning or releasing
any domesticated animals into the wild. The reference to ferrets
needing to remain in the wild was a truncated version of the original
statement which originally included the sale and possession of all
exotic and wild species. The full statement was not included in the
article.

Second, look at yourself and your own business as an outsider would. Do
people complain about the way your ferrets smell? Be objective. What
would YOU think if this was someone else's home? Do your clothes reek
of odors at work? Do people say things to you? Do you need help? Even
if you just need it temporarily, are you willing to ask for it? If you
needed it, who would you ask? The time to prepare is now. It is a fine
line between caring responsible nurturer of the elderly animals to
hoarder/collector and is easily slipped across. Are you able to ask
for help when needed? Even if it means you may have to show someone
your "not very pretty" situation.

Next, educate your local authorities. Help them learn about ferrets and
their special needs. Let them know that you are available. Invite them
to visit YOUR shelter or home and see conditions that are good - even
with a large number of ferrets. You may want to be sure that you are
not violating any codes first. And, if you have old or ill ferrets
requiring special care, use them to educate the person as to what can
be done for them. Volunteer at the local non-ferret animal shelter.
Help them know about ferret diets and bonding and hammies and light,
etc.

Finally, look around. In your community, your state; do you know of
someone who has a lot of ferrets and does not welcome visitors? Is it
possible that this person has crossed the line of their ability to care
for them? As a ferret community, we should help those who need it to
both care for their pets and, when they are past providing that quality
care, to do what we can to help them realize it and, if necessary,
bring the situation to the attention of others who can help BEFORE it
gets to this point again. Could those 61 ferrets have avoided this type
of death? We will never know, but there are others out there who may.

Please, if you must make a call, let it be to your local animal groups
or your newspaper or your library or tv station or school. How can you
start educating them so they know you are a valuable resource and not
the "crazy lady/man down the street with all those wild animals?"
Educate.

Is your house in order? If not, start there. Then, see what is
available in your community and WHO lives in your community who may
need help not to cross the line. Work together to help, not control.
And, if it is really getting to the point that someone else might call
animal control, make a plan so that those who will be called in are
able to care for the ferrets.

-- 
Renee Downs
It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the
credit!
"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart
Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.)
http://www.ferretemergency.org
[log in to unmask]
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org

[Posted in FML 5868]