Maren, your post struck a note in my heart. This was the issue, years
ago, which affected our decision not to adopt out to the general
public.

Unfortunately, feeding ferrets to snakes is somewhat common out
there :(

Our story dates back to November of 1998. At that time, we had only
rescued 6 or 7 ferrets. We were very new at the whole thing--and very
in love with ferrets already. We had rescue cards printed up, and
placed them at a couple of pet stores, and hung them on some bulletin
boards.

One afternoon, I was at Petco, buying food for the ferrets, when I
noticed a college kid wearing an NIU sweatshirt. He was standing at
the hexagon ferret tank, looking at the baby ferrets. (We are about
20-25 minutes from Northern Illinois University) I approached him,
and started up a conversation.

"Aren`t they cute?" I gushed. He said "I`m waiting for them to go on
sale. They`re gourmet, you know." I shot him a look, thinking he was
joking--but he was dead serious, and continued on. "Yeh--when they go
on sale, I pop for one for my snake sometimes. He loves them. And me &
my friends look in the paper for the `Free to good home` ads too--we
get a lot of them that way" He told me what kind of snake he had, and
what kind of snakes a couple of his friends had. (I can`t remember
what they were now.)

I have a pretty strong stomach, but , like you, Maren, I thought I was
going to hurl, right there, in the middle of the store!!!

During the drive home, I envisioned a poor little ferret, pleading for
help from the human who had placed it in the enclosure with a snake.
Knowing the danger it was in---and no way out...

A few weeks later, we got a call at 9:00pm. A male voice said to my
husband "Yeh--How late are you open. I need a ferret"

Kurt said "Oh, that`s my wife`s department. Here"--and handed me the
phone. I asked him if he would like to come the next day & meet our
babies, and began to talk about them. He interrupted me, saying "Never
mind." and hung up.

At that point, Kurt & I decided that Zoo`s Ferret Sanctuary would not
be adopting out to the general public. We only send them home with
people we know & trust.

I realize that snakes have to eat too---they just won`t be eating OUR
kids.

Bless your heart for saving those babies, Maren.

All our best to Raisins From Heaven Ferret Rescue & Sanctuary.

Love,
Zoo

[Posted in FML 6383]