Being a shelter never stops. There are always feedings, play times, loves, cleaning, adoptions and surrenders. And you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world! Saturday we received 3 ferrets in the shelter. All boys, all just over a year old - very healthy and playful. Hewey, Chewey and Mikey (you thought I was gonna say Dewey!). There family was moving to Germany and couldn't take them. They drove 3 hours one way to place them with us. The ferrets are doing great. My Mothers Day was filled with a drive 2 hours one way to pick up more rescues. Here is their story: We were contacted by another small animal shelter that someone had rescued 4 older breeder ferrets from a backyard breeder (they were even kept outside!). These little ones were kept outside at least the last several months. We were told their ages are around 5 - 6 years old. 2 males and 2 females. They all need to be fixed and that one might be pregnant. The other one is in heat. None are descented. Upon getting them we were shocked. They were filthy (the other rescue had just received them for transport to us and didn't have a chance to clean them at all). They also didn't have names... so we named them... Dale - smaller male. Looks like he could be a cinnamon or a DEW. Has fur loss, appears to be from rubbing on the group because he was so dirty. He smells the worst. 2 pounds 7 1/2 ounces Chip - larger male. DEW. Appears healthy and his coat looked much better after a bath. A little nippy but he just wants to play and doesn't know the difference. He has some hair loss on his tail but appears to be from being dirty for so long. 2 pounds 7 1/2 ounces Charlie - bigger girl. She looks like a silver. She is the one that they said might be pregnant, though I am not sure as to why. She is a sweetie also. 1 pound 7 ounces Delta - smaller girl. She also looks like a silver (spotted silver). She may weighed only 6-8 ounces when we got her. Very skinny. She doesn't have much energy either and of course can't keep warm. She is eating regular kibble and a lot of it. You can see all of her ribs and she has a hard time moving. She now weighs 1 pound 3 ounces. They were ADV tested by us before coming into the house. ADV Test were negative. After a bath and nail clippings for all, the boys got their ears done. The girls got their ears done the following day. I didn't do their ears because I was afraid of stressing them out too much (and the girls ears weren't too bad). The boys are separated from the girls. Each group was allowed out time to play that first night. Delta just slept in a blankie on my lap when the girls had their time out. The girls also ate some baby food mix. All are eating regular kibble as well. All are around 5 years old. They went in for their vet visit on Wednesday. Delta will be spayed on Tuesday. We are unsure about Charlie right now since she might be pregnant. If she is, then we will let her have the kits. The cost for each female is around $150. So, on the bill is goes! The males will be next at $70 a pop! They are all doing really well. Up playing and eating and wanting attention. I will have pictures and stuff on our site next week. We are looking at just placing the them (the breeder ferrets) in forever homes after they are fixed. We would only ask for donation to the vet for the adoption fee. We would also like to keep the girls together, and then the boys together if possible. "Ferrets are the Spice of Life" Joanne Ruffner Ferret Corner Shelter www.geocities.com/ferretcorneraz www.supportourshelters.org [Posted in FML issue 4149]