Although this is the wrong time of the year to go camping for some of us
that don't live in the fairer climates, I noticed an issue of camping and
ferrets.
 
You all know of the amount of ferrets we see here at Especially Ferrets
Inc. here in Colorado and Must know that we also have thousands of clients
behind that many fuzzies.  I wouold like to point out to all the perils of
taking your fuzzies camping with you.  There are more things to do when
camping that at home besides relaxing.  Their is usually a fair amount of
disorganization involved unless you go camping evey week and have a routine
setup.  Still, while chores around camp are being performed, you eyeballs
are not on the fuzzies where they should be any time they are outside, even
if at your house.  By definition, camping generally means being outdoors
out of the city, where there are many varmits and dangers to your fuzzies.
The stories I'm about to tell you are true and actually happened to our
clients.
 
One family had a really nice setup for their ferrret in a tent and thought
they had taken all precautions to make sure their beloved fuzzies had as
much fun as them while camping by giving them their own tent.  On the
second day of the trip, after lunch, they went to check on the ferrets
and it was like 150 degrees in the tent.  Both ferrets died from heat
prostration.
 
Next..A single ferret clawed his way out of the tent they were sleeping in
with ferret at night and he was never found.
 
Next... the family took their one ferret camping and thought he would be
ok with an H harness and a leash tied to a tree.  while they were eating
lunch and right before their eyes, a hawk swooped down and picked up their
ferret.  The leashed went tight and jerked the ferret out of the hawks
grasp, but the poor fuzzy was already mortally wounded and did not survive
the attack.
 
Next.... the couple took their baby ferret with them camping and while
carrying the ferret around with her, an owl swooped down an took the ferret
right out of her arms and flew off with it.  They watched in grief as the
owl ate their ferret while sitting in a nearby tree.
 
Now I'm sure many of you take your ferrets camping and would defend them
with your life against a predator.  I certainly would.  But I never would
want to put my fuzzies in that position and take that kind of risk.  If you
do decide to go camping with your fuzzies, please take special precautions
and be ever watchful.  A ferrets life is a terrible thing to waste.
 
Hugs to all,
Ferretguy
[Posted in FML issue 3236]