Last year, I think I prepared well for the hurricanes. I had food, water and emergency supplies to last awhile. I figured we could take my mother and the ferrets to a hotel for the after-storm period where the air conditioning/electricity was out. I didn't count on so many people being displaced from other areas or the emergency workers arriving - both groups desparately needing hotel rooms! While a friend with electricity took my mother in, my ferrets were not welcome with her pets. I immediately went to my vets office and asked if they could board my ferrets for a couple of days. Afterall, my vet has ferrets - she'd understand completely, right?! Well, no. I was told by the Village Animal Hospital on Palm Bay Road in Palm Bay, FL that they didn't board and had no room for my fuzzies. They suggested I take them to a canine "resort"/kennel - but they weren't sure if they'd take in ferrets, if they even had electricity or if they survived the hurricane! Basically, I was told to get my ferrets out of the vet's office!! I did find a friend of a friend who had electricity (A/C) who kept my ferts for two days - until we got electricity back. Luckily, it was done quickly - because this nice person had never seen ferrets before and was a bit wary of "caring" for them! So-please take care in preparing for weather emergencies! Remember that after-storm recovery periods must be considered BEFORE the storm! Don't count on your vet or a friend - make sure you ask before you need them. Have a back-up plan. And, if you are so lucky to survive without damage, be kind enough to offer temporary homes to others not so fortunate! [Posted in FML issue 4905]