Bob C brought up a very good, and very timely subject.  How many of you
have disaster plans in place?  If you are a shelter, or an owner with a
large number of ferrets this is especially important!
 
Pam Grant brings up the point of "it's not how many ferrets, but how many
cages", and this is especially important when discussing evacuation.  We
currently have 6 cages in the house, housing between 1-8 ferrets each.  In
the case of emergency, we can combine, and bring the number down to 4 cages
if needed.
 
In my shelter we keep all the ferrets in the family room except boarders
(who reside in the den while visiting) and three old "coots" who live in my
bedroom "because they can".  They are caged when we are not home, free roam
otherwise.  The family room faces the street, has a sliding glass door, as
well as easy access to the garage.  Looking in this door, it is easy to see
the ferrets.  On both sides of the house we have the little signs telling
emergency personnel that we have ferrets, and where they may be found.  The
cages will easily push out of the slider, most are on wheels, those that
aren't are fairly light.
 
We have enough carriers and small cages to fit all ferrets, and they will
all fit into one car.  The other car will hold food and water, bedding,
clothing, etc.  for both people and ferrets.
 
We never let our supply of food get lower than a ten day reserve, always
have a minimum of 5-6 gallons of bottled water, plus each cage has double
water bottles that are filled daily.
 
We have run drills, and can get all ferrets out of the house in under 90
seconds in case of fire.  For a full evacuation in case of flooding, etc.,
where we would have a bit more notice, we can be fully packed and gone in
under half an hour.  We are not in a part of the country prone to
tornadoes, but again, have a plan to get into the garage (safest place)
with all animals in about 90 seconds.  If its an earthquake...well, I'll
admit we haven't thought out that one, but living in NJ we probably aren't
in emminent danger of that.  We would punt, but having the other plans in
place, we should be fine.
 
We have places to go which we can take ferrets with us, in various
directions of travel.
 
I urge everyone on this list to put plans in place.  You never know when
you might need them!
 
-Anne
[Posted in FML issue 2814]