Hi Everyone,
 
Okay, the great question "How to ferretproof a laundryroom" has appeared,
and I would like to suggest a few things.
 
If at all possible, keep the ferrets completely out of the laundry room.
This is the easiest.
 
For the person who said they had to move the litter box from the kitchen to
the laundry room, if your ferrets are anything like my ferrets, moving the
litter box will just mean they go on the floor in the kitchen instead of in
the box in the laundry room!  I am sure your ferrets will be happy to
demonstrate the above principle to your mom!  If you scoop the box every
day, that will cut down on the odor.  Heck, your mom should be happy that
they go in the box in the kitchen as opposed to going besides the box,
nowhere near the box, in the opposite corner from the box, right in front of
the entrance to the kitchen, well, you get the picture!  :)
 
Okay, your mom is not convinced and the box IS going in the laundry room.
First, pick up everything off the floor in the laundry room (except perhaps
the clothes basket, where your ferrets will happily sleep).  Especially
remove any powders or chemicals, so that little inquisitive noses do not get
into poisonous and/or indigestible substances.  You might also want to
remove the broom and mop since the ferrets will play with those, and scare
the heck out of you when they knock them over producing a sudden loud noise!
 
Next, for the washer and dryer.  Okay, the main problem here is keeping the
dryer hose attached to both the wall and the dryer (yes, ferrets will
quickly remove the hose from either end and either climb in the dryer or
escape outside through the vent).  To do this, get a tall box that you can
shove inbetween the washer and dryer to block the gap.  If your washer and
dryer are NOT touching walls on the other sides, you will also somehow have
to put boxes or books there to keep them out.  The main thing to remember,
is the gaps around the machines must be completely and sturdily blocked.  IF
your ferrets are NOT climbers, you can use chicken wire to block the gaps.
 
When you have finished, just let the ferrets in, and they will happily show
you if you have made any errors.  For example, with my climber (Tiye), I had
used books to block the gaps.  She easily climbed the books.  I put the
books in an inverted pyramid (largest books on top), and she still climbed.
It wasn't until I got a box, and then put large books on top of that, that I
kept her out.  And then she took to climbing the wooden slat doors on the
laundry closet and just jumping on top of the machines and crawling down
behind.  So, then, I had to get large rocks and permantly prop the doors
open (so the two folds were flush together), so she had no place to climb.
 
Just remember, any place can be ferret proofed if you are thorough and
determined!
 
Kathleen and the 4 fuzzballs
[Posted in FML issue 1796]