I'm curious and would love to hear how other ferret rescue/shelter oporators got started. I recieved my 1st ferret, a sprite kit, for christmas in 1996, bought 2 more in the spring of 1997 and then adopted 3 from a rescue in PA. Before I actually started my rescue I had been a 1/2 way house for a rescue in PA and would hold and care for ferrets for this rescue untill a cage would open up for her to take these kids in. The deal was that she would help with cost of food, suplies and medical care by giving me part of the adoption fee when a ferret I had cared for got adopted. The shelter operator didn't own up to our agreement so I decided to take in care for, love and adopt these kids out myself. My rescue actually got started in July of 1998 (Not offical till 1999) after I got a call from a friend who owns a pet suply store. She had a 4 1/2yr old perfect silver mitt sprite dumped on her when the ferret's owner went to college and her parrents didn't want responsibily for the ferret. The ferret's name was Spunky but I changed it to Renae. My friend Alice and I noticed Renae was over wieght from being cage bound so we decided to put her on a better diet and start and exercise program for her. I had told Alice once I got my new Matins Cage I would come to get Renae and bring her home. About a week later I picked Renae up and brought her tomy vet. We noticed her back had an odd shape so we took some xrays. According to my vet Renae's back had been broken and healed funny about 6months before I recieved her. I started Hydro & Physical theropy on Renae to help build up her muscles. She did great for a couple of months but then her hind end became paralyzed in December of that year. I realy became angry at this point at her previous owners, not because she got injured, but because they never to our knowledge sought medical attention for Renae. I admired Renae's courage and strength during her declining health from her previous injury. Renae never bit, never complained whe she was in pain or when I had to express her bowls & bladder 4-6 times a day. She went every where with me and was adored by everyone who met her. Renae made me realise that every ferret no matter what theistory, whether they were old, ill, handicapped or imperfect, needed a chance at a good & loving life. I lost Renae on March 6th 1999, a week before my 29th birthday. Her loss was very difficult for me and I decided at that time to give my ferret rescue a name, "Fuzzy Loving Ferrets Rescue". Soon after I had taken Renae in (September 1998), I had a tattoo made up with her being the model with angel wings and a halo. Renae is memmorialised on my left forearm and will forever remain in my heart. This image became the logo for Fuzzy Loving Ferrets Rescue as a tribute to the little girl that made me realise how important ferret rescues are and that every ferret deserves a chance at love & happiness dispite any imperfections they may have. Debi Fuzzy Loving Ferrets Rescue [Posted in FML 6410]