Several years ago our shelter took in a 7 year old female ferret who
was pissed as all get out about being abandoned by her family. She
would allow us to lift her out of her cage for playtime if we used
her sleep sack to do it. Otherwise there was bloodshed, ours, not
hers. She was livid and bit everything, everyone, in sight.

Volunteers, Stan and June Phipps, named her Witchy Poo. Stan, whose
hard working hands were well calloused, would just pick her up and let
her bite bite bite until she finally quit. They took her home and guess
what, she calmed down and in time became one of our best ambassador
ferrets at PetSmart appearances, etc. What a sweet little old lady,
everyone said. Right. If only they had been there in the beginning.

Moral of the story - take your time, give her lots of love and
attention, and if you can stand it and have tough hands, let her know
that biting isn't probably going to get her anywhere. She just needs
to work out her grief and understand that others will love her. Bless
volunteers like June and Stan.

Bobbi McC, formerly of the KC Ferret Hotline and Shelter

[Posted in FML 7741]