Well, just an example for you, Cheryl, and anyone else who has concerns
over a ferret adoption fee versus the pet store price.
 
It's been stated already, A ferret has had only one shot ad the store.
 
A shelter will give the series.  Example: Li'l Bit the baby 10-week old
Marshall who came in was too young to have AHD all her shots.  Now, I had
originally wanted to keep her until they had all been given.  People were
lined up to adopt her, and the first one to chime in for her was a ferret
owner known to me.  I knew she wanted to take her home sooner, as when
she came to visit and see if her current ferrets accepted her, it was love
at first sight for them all!  So it would have broken my heart to see her
leave without her baby, and have to wait 2 more weeks, and instead, I
offered her new owner to bring her back for the rest of her distemper
shots at NO FURTHER COST to the owner.  You won't get that from the pet
store.
 
I offer FREE boarding to my adopters in case they need to go out of
town on emergency or are hospitalized (gods forbid).  If it's a planned
vacation, I ask for a donation of some sort towards the shelter kids fund.
Again, not a service you get from the pet stores.
 
Your one year guarantee is basically worthless.  Most illnesses will not
develope until your ferret gets older.  But, all they will do is replace
the ferret or refund your purchase price.  That doesn't pay your vet bills.
 
My darling Siggy was a 9 month old ferret who came into my shelter with
three other ferret who all got adopted, but she didn't because she came
into season, yet she was a Marshall farms ferret.  She had bloodwork done
to test for illnesses which could be related to a swelling vulva $75.  She
had exploratory surgery, and then they opened her up to remove the ovary
and half of her uterus (which had fused to her liver) which was left
behind after a botched spay by the Marshalls techs.  Her surgery was just
over $400, after our 25% shelter discount.  We held a hammock drive to
cover the costs (thank you again for all those who helped, I made many new
and wonderful friends as well who are dear to me, Like Arlene and Diane)
and MF actually were kind enough to contribute the purchase price ($125
here) for her surgery when my vet faxed her MF guarantee card and medical
diagnosis.  raised all but $175 and I got a $90 adoption fee on Siggy who
went to live with a great family.  Normally, I charge $75 as does the
shelter near Cheryl.  but The person was willing to pay the slightly
higher fee because she was waiting in the wings for Siggy during her
surgery and post operation until her stitches were removed and knew the
bill was a high one.  I LOST over $70 on this one ferret alone.  But for
MY piece of mind, this ferret is now healthy and happily dooking it up
with her family.  It's just an example of how your shelters work for the
ferrets and not for the money.  I know all the other shelters out there
are laughing and saying "What Money?!" And no I am NOT touting myself as
the wonder of the world for my generosity and caring.  I'm just trying
to shed a little light on a subject, and know best what I have done in
situations.  You don't think what the ferret is going to cost you when you
are a shelter parent.  You take them in with no thought of the bills you
might rack up.  You think about whether it will cost the ferret its life,
which is precious beyond all words.  And so you do it "for the love of
ferrets".
 
just my perhaps not so humble 2 cents worth
 
Kim Wolf
Mystyx Samoyeds, Ferrets and Rescue
of Galloway, Ohio
www.mystyxcritters.com
www.mystyxrescue.petfinder.org
[Posted in FML issue 3693]