After reading the first three postings in yesterday's FML, I ws both saddened and a little excited. Saddened to hear of so many serious cases of abuse in one location and excited because there are some of us who might be in a position to assist with a ferret airlift. Not too long ago some of my friends at Skunks As Pets, Inc., came across two seriously abused ferrets at a Kentucky shelter during a skunk rescue. Despite the fact that they are not equipped to handle healthy ferrets -- let along two physically abused cases, they brought these two beautiful sables into their skunk shelter and set about finding a ferret home for them. Both of them came from Ohio originally and had been left outside in a mesh cage suring last winter's severe Arctic weather. As a result, the male froze to the bottom of his cage and was forced to gnaw off his hind feet and tail to free himself. His sister lost a part of her tail. The Kentucky skunk shelter contacted their Augusta counterpart and they contacted me. Once the three of of were connected, we airlifted the ferrets to Augusta through Delta Dash. I am happy to say that Delta shipped the ferrets COD in less than two hours last Thursday. Both are now happily residing in the middle of a ferret wonderland. Because of the success of he very minor operation, the SAP folks suggested working together to get more abused ferrets to good homes via a "Ferret Railroad." It seems that the skunk folks come across quite a few abused ferrets, but have not had the wherewithall to do much in the way of rescue. The Ferret Railroad is ready to assist the Kansas ferrets if we can -- since this operation is only a few days old, my database of contacts is small, but willing to help. I have already contacted Delta Dash in Augusta and they assured me that EVERY Delta Dash agent across the country will do everything in their power to assist in helping to relocate these ferrets. If one of the three who visited the ferret farm would contact me, I will put them in touch with everyone I can to get the rescue going. My number is 803-276-8667. (Bill, I'm not sure of your policy about phone numbers. Please let this one go through -- if I get some crank calls, so be it. It might add some spice to an otherwise boring day. If I can help get at least some of these ferrets to safety, the cranks will be worth it. Thanks) [Moderator's note: I have no problem with people posting *their own* phone numbers. If anyone posts *other people's* phone numbers, please let me know you have permission to do so. BIG] As for the two ferrets who came to me, I named the male with no hind feet Boris Ferretloff. He reminded me a lot of Boris Karloff who played many deformed characters and yet was a sweet and gentle man. His sister was christened Anastasia -- she reminded me of the Princess Anastasia, she is a little shy and nervous following her experiences, but very affectionate. By the way, immediately after bringing these two rescues into my home, I got a call about two other abused ferrets having been spirited out of Ohio. Within 20 minutes, they were also in the house joining the rest of the gang. F. Scott Giarrocco and the Mustlid Mob Lovejoy, Miss Marple, Marlow, Ginger, Dixon, Sam, Campion, Boris, Anastasia, and the two as yet unnamed ferrets and Nick and Nora the skunks, and Mrs Tiggywinkle the cranky hedgehog. [Posted in FML issue 1709]