LOST FERRET STUDY
                        (Sample size= 27)
 
How Long Was Your Ferret Missing Before You Found Him/Her?
 
1-3 Hours               63%
3.5 to 6 Hours          15%
6.5 to 12 Hours          7%
12.5 to 24 Hours         7%
1-2 Days                 4%
2-7 Days                 4%
Greater Than 1 Week      0%
 
How Far From Home Was Your Ferret Found?
 
At Front Door               22%
At House Next Door          22%
Inside House All Along      19%
Immediately Outside House   15%
2-3 Houses Away             11%
1-2 Blocks Away              7%
3-5 Blocks Away              4%
 
What Was Your Ferret Doing When He/She Was Found?
 
Scratching At Door To Get In    26%
Romping/War Dance               26%
Hiding Out Of Fear              19%
Trapped                         11%
Picked Up By Stranger (Specific
Activity Not Known)              7%
Sleeping                         7%
Traveling                        4%
 
What Was The Key To Getting Your Ferret Back?
 
Owner/Witness Heard A Noise     37%
Physical Search/Calling Ferret  30%
Neighbor Notification           22%
Flyers                           4%
Advertisement In Newspaper       4%
Treats/Food                      4%
SPCA/Shelter Check               0%
Squeeky Toys                     0%
 
SUMMARY:
Most (78%) ferrets around found within the first six hours of their
disappearnce.  Most (89%) ferrets are found within a 3 house radius of the
owners home.  Most (63%) ferrets were visible and were active when found
while some (37%) were trapped, asleep or hiding out of fear.  Most (67%)
ferrets were found due to a physical search by the owner while some (22%)
were found through witness/neighbor interviews.  None of the ferrets
responded to the toys/pounce cans they were trained to come to inside their
home.  Many ferrets did not immediately respond to their owner's voice.
Amazingly, 41% of the ferrets were located by their owners in an area that
the owner had ALREADY SEARCHED.  Just because your ferret does not respond
to your voice or the sound of toys, be persistent in re-checking the target
areas (2 house radius) as you also expand your efforts to interview
neighbors.
 
---------------
Kat & Dogs
 
Kathy "Kat" Albrecht
Executive Director
                   National Center For Missing Pets
*Exciting Search & Rescue Stories *Tips on Finding Lost Pets *Forensic
Applications To Missing Pet Investigations *Pet Search & Rescue *If You Own
A Pet, Come Visit Us!
                      http://www.missingpet.org
[Posted in FML issue 2388]