LOST FERRET STUDY (Sample size= 27) How Long Was Your Ferret Missing Before You Found Him/Her? 1-3 Hours 63% 3.5 to 6 Hours 15% 6.5 to 12 Hours 7% 12.5 to 24 Hours 7% 1-2 Days 4% 2-7 Days 4% Greater Than 1 Week 0% How Far From Home Was Your Ferret Found? At Front Door 22% At House Next Door 22% Inside House All Along 19% Immediately Outside House 15% 2-3 Houses Away 11% 1-2 Blocks Away 7% 3-5 Blocks Away 4% What Was Your Ferret Doing When He/She Was Found? Scratching At Door To Get In 26% Romping/War Dance 26% Hiding Out Of Fear 19% Trapped 11% Picked Up By Stranger (Specific Activity Not Known) 7% Sleeping 7% Traveling 4% What Was The Key To Getting Your Ferret Back? Owner/Witness Heard A Noise 37% Physical Search/Calling Ferret 30% Neighbor Notification 22% Flyers 4% Advertisement In Newspaper 4% Treats/Food 4% SPCA/Shelter Check 0% Squeeky Toys 0% SUMMARY: Most (78%) ferrets around found within the first six hours of their disappearnce. Most (89%) ferrets are found within a 3 house radius of the owners home. Most (63%) ferrets were visible and were active when found while some (37%) were trapped, asleep or hiding out of fear. Most (67%) ferrets were found due to a physical search by the owner while some (22%) were found through witness/neighbor interviews. None of the ferrets responded to the toys/pounce cans they were trained to come to inside their home. Many ferrets did not immediately respond to their owner's voice. Amazingly, 41% of the ferrets were located by their owners in an area that the owner had ALREADY SEARCHED. Just because your ferret does not respond to your voice or the sound of toys, be persistent in re-checking the target areas (2 house radius) as you also expand your efforts to interview neighbors. --------------- Kat & Dogs Kathy "Kat" Albrecht Executive Director National Center For Missing Pets *Exciting Search & Rescue Stories *Tips on Finding Lost Pets *Forensic Applications To Missing Pet Investigations *Pet Search & Rescue *If You Own A Pet, Come Visit Us! http://www.missingpet.org [Posted in FML issue 2388]