Today I write with a heavy heart, concerning a group of 11 ferrets turned loose in the woods of Northern Maine. We have been working with a vet in the Bangor Maine area, who got word that a couple was going thru a divorce, and had a group of 11 ferrets that neither of them wanted any more. The vet, Dr. Sandra Kudrack, was trying to contact this woman thru a third party client of hers, to get her to turn them over to a shelter or hold them until they could be transported down to us. We had made arrangements with several Ferret Club members to do "Foster care" until other arrangements could be made. Yesterday, (8-1-03) I received an email from Dr. Kudrack, that this third party had stated that the ferrets were turned loose into the woods. We do not know the exact area where they were turned loose, but we are trying to get more information. If we can narrow it down, we will try to get some people to make the trip to the Bangor area to stomp thru the woods in hopes of finding some of these "babies" still alive. It's been raining up here for the past two days, heavy at times, at it tends to get cold in the woods at night. As you may know, rural Maine can be a dangerous place for small defenseless animals turned loose into her woods. There are any number of carnivores that could look upon a ferret as a easy meal. Fishers, foxes, coyotes, bears, any number of things to be wary of...for animals that know no fear. I'm sorry for making this so long, and did not intend to depress anyone with this story. I write this in the hopes that someone that may know these ferrets, will contact us with info, or convince the former owner to contact us, so we may find these poor babies. I also hope that people will realize that ferrets are not capable of surviving in the woods of Maine, after being domesticated for so long. Seldom will they come upon a bowl of ferret food or cat food out in the middle of the vast forests up here. People, please remember that ferrets are not throw away pets. You make a commitment to them when "You" purchase them from that pet store, or when "You" adopt them from that shelter. Just because your life changes, why do you feel you need to throw these poor creatures away? I don't understand you. There are so many rescue groups around that WILL take these kids in, no questions asked... all you have to do is call us. Ferret Rescue of Maine A State licensed, 501c3 Non-profit ferret shelter. Donate to shelter ferrets by clicking igive.com or use Paypal [Posted in FML issue 4228]