Party at York Ferret Show!

Join me Saturday night, 3/20, at the Holiday Inn on Loucks Road after the ferret show. We'll have food, wine, and maybe a little song. If you're interested, please send me email at bcarlson@andrew.cmu.edu to make arrangements. I'm considering bringing my bad boy, Geronimo, if anyone would like to meet him. (I've written a couple posts about him (Dear Geronimo and More Letters to my Ferret on gather.com) If you're interested in helping with the planning, I'd love to hear from you. I need all the help I can get!

To people who apply to adopt:

I answer all email. PLEASE add my domain (ferret-hide-e-hole.org) to your whitelist for your spam filter. If you do not get an answer from me within 24 hours, please call the shelter. There have been a number of people who filled out applications and never responded to my return email, as well as people who called and said they would submit an application, but I never got one.

I have had to turn ferrets away due to being full, and I would hate to think that potential adopters are being discouraged by a perceived lack of communication.

Is my email working right?

I am getting very, very few applications from people in or around Pittsburgh. I answer all email that I receive, but I've gotten very few applications from anyone local. Has anyone NOT been answered? If so, write to me at my alternate address: bcarlson@andrew.cmu.edu and please let me know!

Hide-E-Hole Wish List on Amazon.com now includes OTHER stores!

Many people would like to help the shelter, but aren't sure how. Now, there is an easier way! Go to Hide-E-Hole Wishlist to view a list of what the shelter needs. Amazon has now made it possible to list items not sold at the Amazon.com website, too, so we are free to list what we really need. Read the description for the actual item on non-Amazon entries.

Some things are very expensive but others are under $10. Please consider making a donation and helping the ferrets! Items will be removed as the wishes are fulfilled and other items added, so please check back from time to time.

Two ferrets thrown out car window

In July, someone threw two ferrets out a car window on Route 19 in Washington, PA. Someone saw it happen and caught the ferrets and took them to a local veterinarian. The boy was adopted from the vet's office, but the female found her way to the Hide-E-Hole.

She received a cut over her left eye and some abrasions to her chin, but she is otherwise okay. She's deaf and will bite when frightened. She hasn't bitten us at all, but did nip a visitor. We're pretty sure once she's adopted and settled into her own home, she won't be nipping anymore.

She's a lively little thing who does not want to be held. She'd rather be racing around the floor and getting into everything. For photos, go to Meet Nikita.

Fleas Kill!

Fleas are not just a summer problem. If you get them into your carpet or furniture, the problem can continue for quite a while into the winter.

Frontline (or Frontline Plus) is the best treatment (kitten dose) and is available at Pet Supplies Plus, at the vet's office or over the Internet. Fleas by themselves can kill a ferret, and ticks are even worse. When they bite, they snack on the ferret's blood. Since ferrets are so small, it doesn't take long for the fleas and/or ticks to cause anemia and possible infection.

If you see fleas or ticks on your ferret, take care of them immediately. Do not use flea baths or chemicals (sprays, wipes or spot-ons) made by Hartz or other "discount" companies. (i.e. don't use BioSpot, for one) Flea collars don't work well, and can make the ferrets sick.

The only flea killers we consider safe for ferrets are Frontline, Revolution, or Advantage.

TRFC Meeting at new location near shelter

Join us at the Three Rivers Ferret Council monthly meeting, held in the basement of the United Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of Brownsville Road and Margaret Street. Official address is 610 Brownsville Road. Park in the bank parking lot. Meeting is from 1pm - 4pm.

We will be at the Ferret Show in York

I am driving out Friday, 3/19 and staying Friday and Saturday night. I'll be at the show Saturday, 3/20. The show will be AT the Holiday Inn on Loucks Road.

I got a nice, big room and want to have a party. Anyone interested in partying Saturday night (after the show) contact me at bcarlson@andrew.cmu.edu. I'm hoping my friends (and people who are just friendly) will join us for food, wine, and maybe a little song, too. I'm considering bringing my bad boy, Geronimo, if anyone is interested in meeting him. Let me know!