I'm glad to hear that you & the fuzzies are ok, Alicia.  The threat
of fire, or any other catastrophic emergency at a shelter is always a
heartwrenching logistics problem.  The first horrible question that comes
to mind is always "Who do I save first?"
 
While for shelters with a large number of animals to be moved quickly it's
almost an inevitable problem.  But for most ferret owners with only a few
cages, there are quick, easy solutions.  The trick is to to be prepared.
Know ahead of time what it's going to take and how long it will take to
evacuate your pets.
 
DON'T count on being able to get the cage, with ferrets in it, out of the
house!  In an emergency, you don't always have time to struggle in a
trembling panic to keep one or several ferrets in a carrier while you try
to get the next one in.  Nor can you easily and quickly carry more than 3
small carriers, even in ideal conditions.
 
One of the most efficient methods is to keep carriers or spare cages in
a building NOT connected to the house, like the garage or storage shed.
Keep a PILLOWCASE or drawstring type laundry bag on top of each cage.
Once outside the building, the ferrets can be transferred from bags to
carriers/cages from the outbuilding.
 
It is VERY difficult to crawl through a smoke-filled house with even a
small carrier.  A bag, however, can be dragged behind you easily.  Even
ferrets that squabble won't kill each other if mixed in one bag.
 
Plan and PRACTICE evacuation routes.  More than one route.  Give careful
thought to which window you'll have to use in the event doorways are not
accessable.  Then PRACTICE that evacuation route.  Practice at night with
all the lights off, too!  Do you know where your flashlight is?
 
You need to know how long it's going to take and if there are any
unforeseen difficulties in actually carrying out the plan, such as hard
to open window or a difficult to remove screen.
 
Consider things like:
Will it be necessary to have something to safely break the window and a
blanket to place over the broken glass?
 
Will you need something to cut through the screen wire?  If so, these
things should be stored near the window.
 
If you need a wet blanket, can you get one and get it wet?  A couple of
one gallon jugs of water stored in a closet could save your life.  (The
carpet will dry... practice it!)
 
The plan should include ALL residents, with consideration given to the
possibility of some of the residents being away from home.  Who will take
over the absent person's part?  Keep in mind that you or another family
member may be injured or frightened to the extent to be unable to help.
PLAN who will BUDDY with who.  This kind of planning and practice will
actually help PREVENT incapacitating fear.
 
EACH PART OF THE PLAN SHOULD BE EASY ENOUGH FOR A CHILD TO DO.  You or
someone else could be injured and as weak as a child!
 
Fire is not the only emergency to plan for.  Plan for tornado/hurricane
type weather also.
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
 
Practical & easy training, care, & maintenance articles available at
http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/
[Posted in FML issue 3834]