Yup....it's happening again! It's 3 months after Christmas and people that got cute little ferret babies for presents suddenly realize that....... ferrets POOP a lot, they require special expensive food, sometimes they bite, you just can't leave them in a cage all day like a hamster, they are not suitable for young children, they can get fleas, the kids got bored with them, they need to be trained, the cage needs to be cleaned every day, they have an odor (that I LOVE), they need your TIME, they need your LOVE and it's just too much to ask.... SO they are taken to shelters, IF they get lucky..... or dumped somewhere if they are not so lucky. I spoke to Chris Mathis at the OR Ferret Shelter today and these precious Christmas presents are being brought to the shelter EVERY DAY along with the oldies and sickies that no one wants any more PLUS the ones with owners who are moving where no pets are allowed AND sadly those that people have loved for years but can no longer afford to keep because of lost jobs and homes. The OR Ferret Shelter has overflowed into Chris and Dave's home and all the rooms are filled with cages. They are struggling to keep the food bowls filled, meds paid for and to keep fresh bedding available. She said that much of her bedding should be thrown away but they are desperate. If anyone can help in any way it would be truly appreciated. The most urgent need is food for these furkids. Here's the contact info http://www.oregonferretshelter.org/home.htm where there is a Paypal button and address for checks or you can email Chris at [log in to unmask] or Dave at [log in to unmask] Thank you for helping these wonderful shelter parents! Nancy and her 15 furkids, including the new little Daisy, referred to me by the OR Ferret Shelter because she was 5 hours away from them and in a town close to me. Daisy was loved for 7 years by a woman who had lost her job and her home and who wept when she handed her to me. I wept too.... [Posted in FML 6657]