Hi FMLrs,

Sadly, ferrets are considered outlaws in sunny California. Thus, many
in this state must live vicariously through you. Currently, Sandi's
Heaven Scent Ferret Shelter in Alabama is conducting an auction &
raffle to help these critters. Learn about Sandi by reading the column
on the left titled "Ferret Rescue in Alabama." Afterwards, click on the
link within the article to get to know her better. Hopefully, you'll be
inspired to support her "business." (pun is intended;)

What makes someone decide to start a ferret shelter? Let me introduce
you to Sandi.

It was 1994 when I got my first ferret, Ms. Smokey. She was the
sweetest lady, a tiny five year old dew. Until then, she was living
on a diet of cat food, mac & cheese, and Fruit Loops. Poor thing had a
sore on her side when she was given to me so my vet referred me to a
"specialist." She told me that Ms. Smokey needed to be spayed ASAP. So,
I paid the $700 only to have my own heart ripped open when she died
twelve days later.

After this heartbreak, I knew that I had to learn more about ferrets.
So, I did some research. The next thing I knew, I was at the pet store
where I met and bought Bandit. He was a teddy bear with a heart bigger
than Texas. His cage mate, Snoop was purchased by my son's girlfriend.
Unfortunately, her mom didn't share our enthusiasm for ferrets. When
I heard that Snoop was living in a cardboard box on their porch, I
adopted her. It wasn't long before word got out about my love for
ferrets. Soon after, I was in the kitchen with my mom when I looked
down and saw thirteen beautiful faces staring up at me and said "Ya
know, I think I'm becoming a shelter."

Currently, I have forty-two ferrets either at the shelter or at one of
our two foster homes. Normally, our day starts at 6 a.m. This allows
time to administer meds and soupie along with the nineteen cages that
need to be cleaned twice a day. In addition, I have four playtime
rotations three times a day. All this and I have a full-time paying
job.

Once a week, I am fortunate to have a family who volunteers to help me
change the bedding, clean the cages, clip their nails, and clean their
ears. This allows me some extra time to make a batch of soupie for the
upcoming week. I also have two families who make the two hour drive
each month to help with the responsibilities.

How did I end up with forty-two? Some of these ferrets came from animal
control (since their facilities do not accommodate ferrets). Others
came from a vet office in Florida. Several came from the army bases
in Alabama and Georgia. I have driven countless miles to pick up a
surrender. The top three reasons I hear are:
"I don't have time for it."
"I don't have a place to live."
"I'm getting deployed."

Many ferrets continue to come through my doors. Every week I get tired
and want to call it quits, but then I see their longing faces. Each one
is a reminder as to why I need to keep these doors open. Chance was a
ferret who had two broken legs and a few nasty holes in his side. He
was lying helpless in a ladies backyard on a HOT summer day where he
had been for the past three days. Just the sight of him in blood made
me start to cry. I gently placed him in the cuddle bed and rushed him
to my vet's office, but he was out of town and his coworker was out
on a call. Next, I raced over to my other vet's office. He was at the
hospital with his wife who was giving birth to their baby. That left
me with my last choice, the vet who operated on my dear Ms. Smokey.
Against my protests, she said that he did not need surgery and instead
splint his legs. When my vet returned three days later, he took x-rays
and performed surgery on Chance which included pins and placed both
legs in casts. Eight months later, Chance was able to run and climb.

I have learned a lot from ferrets, most importantly they have taught
me patience and unconditional love. They are such adoring creatures
that I would like others to know ferrets as I do. My advice is to keep
current and do your research since the information that is available
is continually evolving. One website that I recommend is
http://www.ferretuniverse.com
My wish is that pet stores require their customers to do the same
before taking a ferret home.

What keeps me going? Each ferret has a story to tell. Each one has
found its way to me for protection. Each one is here for a reason.
Right now I forty-two reasons to keep my doors and heart open.

Sandi runs Heaven Scent Ferret Rescue/Shelter in Dothan, Alabama.
To sponsor one of her foster kids please visit www.fuzzyslave.com

[Posted in FML 6746]