Hi FMLrs, Sadly, ferrets are considered outlaws in sunny California. Thus, many in this state must live vicariously through you. Currently, Sandi's Heaven Scent Ferret Shelter in Alabama is conducting an auction & raffle to help these critters. Learn about Sandi by reading the column on the left titled "Ferret Rescue in Alabama." Afterwards, click on the link within the article to get to know her better. Hopefully, you'll be inspired to support her "business." (pun is intended;) What makes someone decide to start a ferret shelter? Let me introduce you to Sandi. It was 1994 when I got my first ferret, Ms. Smokey. She was the sweetest lady, a tiny five year old dew. Until then, she was living on a diet of cat food, mac & cheese, and Fruit Loops. Poor thing had a sore on her side when she was given to me so my vet referred me to a "specialist." She told me that Ms. Smokey needed to be spayed ASAP. So, I paid the $700 only to have my own heart ripped open when she died twelve days later. After this heartbreak, I knew that I had to learn more about ferrets. So, I did some research. The next thing I knew, I was at the pet store where I met and bought Bandit. He was a teddy bear with a heart bigger than Texas. His cage mate, Snoop was purchased by my son's girlfriend. Unfortunately, her mom didn't share our enthusiasm for ferrets. When I heard that Snoop was living in a cardboard box on their porch, I adopted her. It wasn't long before word got out about my love for ferrets. Soon after, I was in the kitchen with my mom when I looked down and saw thirteen beautiful faces staring up at me and said "Ya know, I think I'm becoming a shelter." Currently, I have forty-two ferrets either at the shelter or at one of our two foster homes. Normally, our day starts at 6 a.m. This allows time to administer meds and soupie along with the nineteen cages that need to be cleaned twice a day. In addition, I have four playtime rotations three times a day. All this and I have a full-time paying job. Once a week, I am fortunate to have a family who volunteers to help me change the bedding, clean the cages, clip their nails, and clean their ears. This allows me some extra time to make a batch of soupie for the upcoming week. I also have two families who make the two hour drive each month to help with the responsibilities. How did I end up with forty-two? Some of these ferrets came from animal control (since their facilities do not accommodate ferrets). Others came from a vet office in Florida. Several came from the army bases in Alabama and Georgia. I have driven countless miles to pick up a surrender. The top three reasons I hear are: "I don't have time for it." "I don't have a place to live." "I'm getting deployed." Many ferrets continue to come through my doors. Every week I get tired and want to call it quits, but then I see their longing faces. Each one is a reminder as to why I need to keep these doors open. Chance was a ferret who had two broken legs and a few nasty holes in his side. He was lying helpless in a ladies backyard on a HOT summer day where he had been for the past three days. Just the sight of him in blood made me start to cry. I gently placed him in the cuddle bed and rushed him to my vet's office, but he was out of town and his coworker was out on a call. Next, I raced over to my other vet's office. He was at the hospital with his wife who was giving birth to their baby. That left me with my last choice, the vet who operated on my dear Ms. Smokey. Against my protests, she said that he did not need surgery and instead splint his legs. When my vet returned three days later, he took x-rays and performed surgery on Chance which included pins and placed both legs in casts. Eight months later, Chance was able to run and climb. I have learned a lot from ferrets, most importantly they have taught me patience and unconditional love. They are such adoring creatures that I would like others to know ferrets as I do. My advice is to keep current and do your research since the information that is available is continually evolving. One website that I recommend is http://www.ferretuniverse.com My wish is that pet stores require their customers to do the same before taking a ferret home. What keeps me going? Each ferret has a story to tell. Each one has found its way to me for protection. Each one is here for a reason. Right now I forty-two reasons to keep my doors and heart open. Sandi runs Heaven Scent Ferret Rescue/Shelter in Dothan, Alabama. To sponsor one of her foster kids please visit www.fuzzyslave.com [Posted in FML 6746]