Hi, My name is Gale Putt and since I'm part of the Otto/biting ferret story I
think it's time I came out and cleared up a few things.
 
I am a licensed wildlife rehabber in Suffolk Co. N.Y., I am also a licensed
humane nuisance trapper. I have Federal licenses for migratory bird rehab and
most endangered animals. We are one of the few places that will still handle
rabies vector species.  Suffolk is also the last county on Long Island and
metropolitan NY that will allowferrets and fitch to be harbored, bred, and
bought and sold.  Being on the end of a long narrow island Suffolk is quite
isolated from other areas where ferrets maybe legally kept.  To do this we
must go through a licensing procedure from DEC.NY. every year  Because of
this we DO NOT have easily reached ferret breeders.
 
The wildlife rehabbers here handle ferret rescue, and since we run the 24hr
Wildlife hotline for theSuffolk Police and are posted in all Town and County
Facilities and switchboards we did not think it necessary to be added to Pam
Grants very good data base, but we are here and work very hard.
We received a call from Otto's owner telling us he was 3yrs old and in good
health, his owner was going into the service.  If a ferret can stay in it's
original home, we keep it there since it is less disruptive to the ferret and
prospective owners can see how the ferret was kept and see its nature with
out the "honeymoon" period that comes when animals are moved and unsure of
their new surroundings
 
Mr. Flaster was contacted when he posted he was looking for a ferret.  He had
never owned a ferret before and said he had had cats he had gotten rid of
because they found out they were allergic to them.
This DID NOT seem like the right place to put a young ferret that should be
brought up in a permanent home.  How many breeders do you know who will sell
knowing the animal might not continue in agood home?
We told Mr. Flaster that if Otto didn't work out, we would take him.  In this
way, Otto would either stay with one of us forever or go to another permanent
home.  Mr Flaster E-mailed us that he was not ready to take on a ferrets for
some months, and that was the end of it till we read his post .  Normally, we
would go to the meeting, offer counseling and help the adopted set up for the
ferret.  We also have lists of very fine vets who handle ferrets  (they all
attend the State veterinary seminars on ferrets)
Please remember: Being on a list means just one thing, you are on a list, a
database can not judge the quality of care or advice.
 
Also can you all truly say you have NEVER had your ferret mouth you or nibble
a finger or toe?  I know lots of fine healthy ferrets who do,
Most ferret owners do not consider it a bite till blood is drawn!
 We shall continue to care for all wild animals and ferrets in Suffolk,
we NEVER charge a fee or insist on a donation, only that you take the animal
not only into your home, but into your HEART.
 
Gale Putt and the Independent Licensed rehabbers in Suffolk County
 
[Posted in FML issue 0900]