Last week, the shelter I am affiliated with had to stop accepting turn-in's
due to mounting vet bills and overcrowding.  I have also touched base with
the ten other shelter operators in the state of NJ that I am aware of, and
asked about their status.  Regretfully, we are all in the same boat.  Even
the foster homes and halfway houses are full the brim.  Many of the ferrets
in the shelters are older, handicapped or biters, therefore not easily
adoptable.  One shelter operator has several younger ferrets who have been
in her shelter for a year now, and she still hasn't been able to adopt them
out.  They are just not being adopted.
 
One of the shelters might be facing a problem with the township, and might
be forced to close down.  This will force another 40+ ferrets into the other
already overburdened shelters.
 
The straw that broke the camels back is that yesterday I got a phone call
from a woman.  She and her husband are getting divorced and moving and need
to place ninteen, yes, that's 19, ferrets by the end of this month.  Several
are hobs.
 
If you are are interested in getting a new ferret, I URGE YOU TO ADOPT FROM
A SHELTER.  If anyone has any ideas, please let us know- we are at a loss on
what to do.  If anyone in NJ/NY/PA is interested in a special needs ferret,
please let me know.  The shelters here are at a critical point, and need
help.  Many do not have Internet access, but if you are interested, e-mail
me and I will give you the number of the shelter closest to you.
 
Even if you are not interested in adopting, but might like to foster a
ferret or two, please let me know.
 
-Anne
[Posted in FML issue 2296]