This past Wednesday evening a call came into the Ferret Hotline from a woman
who while walking her dog, noticed an open cat carrier and two ferrets
running around nearby.  She didn't know what to do, so, she contacted her
local Dog Officer and was referred to the ferret hotline.
 
The call was received around 6:30 and after speaking with this woman it was
learned that her sighting occurred around 4:00PM.  This meant that the
ferrets were out for at least 2 1/2 hours and possibly a lot longer.  The
weather here in Boston was freezing and we had termendous wind chills.
 
Without very much hope for finding them, in what turned out to be a very
wooded area with darkness having already arrived, several volunteers from
our rescue list in the area, were contacted and offered to go.
 
Soon, several MaFF volunteers showed up armed with squeeky toys, boxes of
raisins, Ferretone, and warm blankets.  Just before 7PM the wonderful call
came in.  We, and they, were lucky.  Both ferrets had been rescued!!!!
 
One was a beautiful little Male Silver Mitt under 1 years old, the female is
a dark brown sable approx.  age: 4-6 months.  Dr. Flavia Zorgniotti, Phoenix
Veterinary Services, Wayland was one of the rescuers and housed them in her
clinic where they were evaluated.  On scene, Dr. Zorgniotti said that they
looked quite cold and hungry.
 
I contacted Dr. Zorgniotti first thing Thursday morning to see what the
status was and according to the Dr. both babies are doing fine.  In fact,
she believes they already have loving homes lined up to adopt them.
 
The state law in Massachusetts regarding willful abandonment of any animal,
be it a dog, cat, ferret, etc., could mean stiff penalties and jail time if
a person is caught in the act.  Unfortunately, the person who did this is
unknown.
 
I again want to thank the following people for giving up part of their
evening to help with the rescue effort: Bill Williamson, Ann Rudich, Dr.
Flavia Zorgniotti, Michael Lepore and Megan George.  I'm sure these two
little fuzzies are very grateful, as I, for your rescue.
 
Sharon Burbine,
President,
Mass Ferret Friends
[Posted in FML issue 1811]