Hi FMLers,
 
In some kind of response to Edward Lipinski's misinterpretation of
"fostering" ferrets, our shelter has found that fostering can be the ideal
way to handle unusual or difficult situations.  We placed 3 older, bonded
ferrets (all over the age of 4yrs) together in one home as a "foster"
situation.  It meant that I did not charge an adoption fee for these
ferrets, with the agreement that the foster parents paid for food and
supplies but if anything medical is needed, I will be responsible.  There
was the same amount of paperwork involved as an adoption.  Five months
later, these 3 ferrets are doing great.  We traded off my babysitting these
ferrets during Christmas holidays at no charge, for rabies and distemper
shots for all 3 paid by the foster parents.  I think this is a deal.
 
Another 3 ferrets that were part of a group of 5 were placed in a "foster"
home to see if the addition of 3 older, established ferrets would adjust to
a single ferret household.  The ferrets could be returned if they did not
"fit in".  It was agreed that a group adoption fee would be discussed after
an indefinite trial-time.  That was 4 months ago.  These 3 ferrets are now
part of a family.  They still have to keep their original ferret separate
from 2 of the 3 "fosters", but they just rotate "turn-outs".  The ferrets
look great, and they run and dook and play with their now-permanent family.
The family has recently offered to come spend a day nail-trimming and
ear-cleaning and poop-scooping for us!  We're pretty grateful for this
offer!
 
If we can place some of our older ferrets or larger groups of ferrets in a
good home, then we see it as a win-win situation for the ferret and the
shelter.  The ferret has one-on-one attention and more time out at a
"foster" home than at our shelter.  We work hard everyday to get every
ferret out to play, and most nights were're up until 1am or later, turning
out ferrets.  Even 1 less ferret to turn out makes a little more time for
another one to be out.
 
Granted, we don't make an income for the shelter like this, but we hope
that by fostering IN SPECIAL SITUATIONS we can lighten our load a little
and help more ferrets this way.  We're also trying to build a "fostering
system" so that if our shelter is ever in a situation where we really are
unable to take in a ferret, we can have a foster home available
immediately.  Fostering works for us.  Give it some thought, Ed.
 
Marlene and Jammy Blackburn
Richmond Ferret Rescue League
Richmond, VA
[Posted in FML issue 2919]