Things are especially difficult this summer at the Lakeroad Ferret Farm
Rescue & Shelter, the only full-time ferret shelter in upstate New
York. About 50 rescued ferrets are in residence -- maximum capacity
for shelter mom Brenda Johnson, whose typical workday starts at 4 a.m.
Brenda works three part-time jobs to keep the shelter running. But a
nasty injury to her hand was improperly set, and must be surgically
corrected. Brenda is praying her hand will heal quickly enough so she
can return to her job as a bus driver when school starts. That's the
job that pays her health insurance.
Only slightly less worrisome are the pending death of Brenda's van,
which cannot be repaired, and her leaky roof, which must be fixed
before the cold weather sets in. Up here, winter can make its
appearance as early as September, with hard frosts and snow followed by
melting, the cycle repeating itself until winter sets in for real later
in the year. Brenda's shelter is smack in the "lake effect" snow zone -
the same weather phenomenon that dumped 7 feet of snow on Buffalo a few
years ago, and 14 feet on the town of Oswego last year.
"When it gets cold then warm again, Mum calls that a thaw -- we call
it a pain because we get wet feet, and it is {{{{{{COLD!!}}}}}} in the
winter time," says Possum, one of Brenda's rescued ferrets who reports
for the Ferret Farm's monthly newsletter. "Summertime is not so bad; we
get to play in the wet like a pool ... 'til mum puts a trash can under
it or sops it up with news papers."
There is a way you can help! For as little as $2, enter to win one of
10 terrific prizes in the Friends of Ferret Shelters raffle:
http://www.shelterfriends.blogspot.com!
* A smokin' griller's gift basket with hickory wood chips, tools and a
selection of gourmet seasoning and sauces!
* A ferret pamper basket with toys, treats, bedding, a handy cage
pocket and Totally Ferret for senior ferrets!
* Beautifully delicate crystal, bead and pewter ferret earrings by
artist Lynne Whited!
* An amazing, super-comfy bed/hideaway designed like an old-fashioned
Volkswagen Beetle!
* More bedding selections - a "pick your own strawberry," a bright blue
"monster truck" set and a delightful Sleep 'N Play set of Cozy Kritter
cubes and toys!
* A super ferret play 'n sleep tent!
* A luxury Bath & Body Works gift set with lotions, slippers, candles
and a complete manicure/pedicure set!
* One totally adorable, three-dimensional wood picture frame designed
by Mary Badenhop of Pipsqueak Productions!
* A gift basket of ferret treats (and a few things for humans, too!)
in beautiful spring colors.
Every penny from the raffle is donated to the Lakeroad Ferret Farm
Rescue & Shelter. Tickets are $2 (three for $6 or six for $10). The
deadline for entries is Tuesday, Aug. 28 - but don't wait!
http://www.shelterfriends.blogspot.com!
Pay instantly with PayPal or send a check - the instructions are on our
website. You can buy tickets for one item or any combination of items
you want. You won't want to miss this raffle!
Brenda has devoted her life to saving ferrets and now she needs a bit
of help, too. Won't you please open your heart?
Thank you,
Susann Thiel and Lisa Oestereich
[Posted in FML 5694]
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