Hi,
 
I have a problem that is getting bigger than I can handle.  Two of my four
ferrets have always been rebellious about using their litter boxes, but
their mistakes used to be manageable.  I have tried everything I've seen on
the FML, been told by my vet that I am expecting too much of them, and am
now getting "stinked" out of my small apartment by their potty
"on-purposes".  These two are sweet, loving, precious "babies", and I love
them with all my heart.  However, they have never completely adapted to
being in a home with my other two ferrets.  The male, Felix, has a major
territorial problem, and refuses to adapt to the other male/female pair.
He gets downright bloodthirsty, and tries to kill them, and at my last
attempt at introduction, drew blood in numerous places on my poor dear
Henry.  I separated them as soon as I was able to move the couch from where
Henry had tried to hide, but it only took seconds for Felix to do the
damage.  Fortunately, all of Henry's wounds were superficial and I was able
to clean them up with Hydrogen peroxide and a little antibiotic ointment.
But I won't EVER try that again!  The tiny little female, Angel Baby, gets
along great with Felix and he is so sweet and gentle with her, just as he
is with people.  Angel gets along well with everybody that isn't aggressive
towards her.  She delights in chasing my three HUGE cats around the house
and is virtually fearless.  Felix is the worst potty perpetrator.  In fact,
he sleeps *so* soundly that he often tumbles out of his bed in his sleep
and just goes wherever he lands, sometimes laying in it as he does it.
Then it's bath time.  If he does it when I'm gone, he cleans himself up and
drinks some of the urine, as if he's trying to clean up his mess, YUCK!
But he prefers to go on all levels of his 4-story "condo", regardless of
the availability of a clean (or dirty) litter box.  These two critters
don't reserve their messes for corners of the house, only, when they are
out.  They often do it right in the middle of the floor, as if they can't
make it to the litter box in time.  I praise them and reward them every
time they go in their boxes and I am there to catch it, and they respond
well to praise, most of the time, especially Angel.
 
What this all comes down to, is that not only am I unable to keep up with
their potty messes and the overwhelming stink it's causing, but I live
right next door to my landlord, who has replaced the carpet since I've been
here (13+ years, total).  He has allowed me to have my cats, ferrets, (rats
and birds and a turtle, in the past), without ever charging me extra, or
complaining much.  He has been more than good to me over the years.
However, he needs frequent access to my place now, due to some ongoing
remodeling and repairs that are being done here.  If he set foot in here
right now, I am afraid he'd go ballistic, because of the smell, maybe even
throw me out.  I can't keep it under control.  What should I do???
 
I am going through a very sad and difficult divorce now, and for that and
various other reasons, I can't afford to move, and my finances are strained
beyond extremes.  I don't believe in giving up my pets after I have taken
responsibility for them through adoption, and I don't know if I could bear
another loss right now.  But the only solution I can see, is for me to find
a home for my troublesome two.  I just don't know if anyone can or will
take responsibility for pets with these problems.  And of course, I want
only the best for my babies.  If I have to adopt them out (only together),
I want to place them near enough to me, that I can visit them, at least
through the transitional period, and to make sure they are in a good home.
 
At this point, I am accepting any and all recommendations on solving this
problem, as well as inquiries by potential adopters who are situated to
love and care for fuzzies with overall good health and sweet temperaments,
but not able to adapt to other ferrets.  I am in the Seattle, WA area
(Kirkland, to be exact).  Please respond directly to me, as I don't have
time to read the FML regularly right now.  If I adopt my babies out, they
will come with their own, newer, 4-story (black, coated wire) ferret condo,
some bedding and toys, etc.  I can be flexible on terms, but I want to
assure that if I place them, it will be with good people, who can and will
afford them with the best regular ferret-knowledgeable and experienced vet
care, regular vaccines, etc.  I will not give them up without assurance
that they won't be euthanized, due to any potential future terminal
illness, unless it becomes the only option to keep them from suffering.
 
Thanks in advance to all responses.
[Posted in FML issue 2673]