Hi all,
 
I've been lurking around here for months now, haven't had a reason to post
anything.  I've been reading everyone else's stories, journeys, adventures,
mishaps, etc., and have simply enjoyed the sharing and caring of this list.
 
Today, I found it necessary to post something here for myself.  I have 3
fuzzies, Simba, Monte, and Dakota.  Simba is an red-eyed albino, Monte is
a silver mitt, Dakota is a sable.  They are all male ferrets.  I had 6
ferrets, but, upon my taking Dakota home, I soon found out he is ECE
positive, and it spread throughout the other 5 ferrets.  Three did not
survive, :-(.
 
That's just a little background history, about me and my clan.  I have a
roomate, who does not like ferrets very much, so she tolerates them as best
she can.  I don't know why she doesn't like them, but I have a hunch it has
a lot to do with the fact that I can't get them litter-box trained!  (she
is a neat freak, so I can understand her concern.)
 
I keep my family in a 3-story Midwest Ferret Condo.  I have tried many
different configurations of shelves and ladders, and found it necessary
to order an extra shelf to accomodate my then-large clan.
 
In cleaning their cage this morning, I noticed the bottom wire part of the
cage, the part that sits in the plastic bottom, is beginning to show signs
of rusting.  I am very concerned about how this may affect my babie's
health.  I wanted to know if anyone else has had this problem with their
cage, and how they solved it.  I hate to buy a new cage, the rest of the
cage is in mint condition.  But I will, of course, if it poses any health
threat to my fuzzies!
 
Is there any way I can repair the rust?  Paint I could use?  A good sealer
that would be safe?  If not, is there anyone out there who can suggest a
good alternate cage?  I need one with a lot of room, as it has been
necessary to keep them in there for long stretches each day.  I want to be
sure they have plenty of room to run around and play in.
 
Also, if there are any hints about potty training that anyone has had any
success with, I'd be grateful to know.  I have just tried the method of
putting a tee shirt in their cage, letting them sleep in it.  Then when I
clean out the cage, I put that tee shirt back in where they like to go
potty.  I take fresh feces and put it in the intended litter box.  It has a
so-so success rate.  They still poop in corners where there is no shirt, or
litter box.  I've also tried more than one litter box, and, you may have
guessed already, they LOVE digging all that litter out and throwing it all
around their home!
 
Feels like I'm fighting a losing battle here, I wouldn't trade them for any
pet in the world!  I've had ferrets in my life for the last 9 years, and I
love them.  I think they are the best pets, with cats a distant second.  (I
have 3 of them as well as a dog!).
 
Anyway, thanks for anyone who has any suggestions that may be of some help.
I hope this posting will find all fuzzies well, or on the mend, curled up
in their sleep sacks, dreaming raisin dreams!
 
hugs to all
vicki
[Posted in FML issue 2782]