Foster homes needed

In the last week or so, no fewer than 24 ferrets have been added to the list who need to be surrendered. We were already full, and now this! I have a number of older ferrets who could use a nice foster home. We would pay the vet bills, you buy the food, give meds, and hug and kiss them a lot. Most of these ferrets do not get along with other ferrets. Some are nippy or downright rude biters. Others are sweet but quite sickly.

Meds are normally given 2 to 3 times a day ("morning, when you get home from work, before you go to bed" is an example of the 3x a day schedule). All the elderly and sick are on our duck soup (which is chicken cooked until the bones are soft and processed with the fat and juice until smooth). It's not hard to make, just a bit messy. You'd need either a crock pot (slow cooker) or a pressure cooker and a food processor (or good blender).

The idea is that if I can foster out permanent residents, that will free up cages so I can take in the adoptable ones needing a home. It can be very rewarding to foster and love old ferrets. Even the nippy ones do appreciate your attention.

Shelter in need of donations

The current abysmal state of the economy is affecting everyone. Shelters in particular are having a difficult time, and the Hide-E-Hole is no exception. There have been very few adoptions but surrenders are up. Not a good combination.

What's worse is that the ferrets coming in are often in poor condtion, old and with health issues. This is a formula for disaster ... fewer adoption donations, no general donations at all, higher costs for food and medication, AND more ferrets coming in.

Emotionally, we're having a hard time here. We've gotten in two sets of ferrets due to the dual effect of the economy and depression. One woman killed herself (leaving two young boys, 4 ferrets, a dog, a cat, and two devastated parents) and another attempted suicide. Both people were having serious financial issues.

The first woman succeeded in leaving her troubles behind, but now her two boys have lost their mother, their pets and their home (they had to move into a small apartment with their grandparents). She loved her pets but due to financial and emotional issues (she was an uncontrolled bipolar), her four sweet ferrets arrived at the shelter. The boys cried ... it broke their hearts to think that the ferrets were not going to get out to play often enough. We do our best here, but with this many ferrets, there is no way to offer them the time out and personal attention that their very own home would offer.

The other one managed to lose her home and end up in the hospital. She has not contacted us so we don't know how she's doing. She also has not given us any information on the ferrets beyond her permission to adopt them out. We're left to guess at birthdates and vaccinations.

Both sets of ferrets have been expensive. Adrenal disease, tooth issues, swollen spleens and chronic sinus issues have drained the shelter's funds. We don't charge any more for a ferret who has a $120 Deslorelan implant than one who came to us perfectly healthy. It would be nice to try to recover some of the funds, but if people don't want a 5 year old adrenal ferret for $50, who will take one for $120?

If anyone can make a donation or run a fundraiser for the shelter, it would be appreciated. I'm already working a full time job in addition to running the shelter, and I just don't have the time or energy to do much fundraising myself. I'm open to suggestions.

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

Many people would like to help the shelter, but aren't sure how. Now, there is an easier way! Go to www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/WQOC6XSSJXVR to view the Hide-E-Hole's wish list! 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.

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.

6th Annual Pet Care Fair

The Hide-E-Hole will be at the 6th Annual Pet Care Fair, Saturday, June 27, 2009 from 9:30 - 2:30. It's located at the Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park, 44 Highland Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102.

If it's not too hot, we will have some ferrets for you to meet. We do not do adoptions on these day events, but you're welcome to come meet and talk about ferrets. I will have literature and business cards and will be happy to talk to you.

"Bling" Workshop, 7/19/09, 1:00 pm

The next Three Rivers Ferret Council meeting will be at the shelter. We will be making bead necklaces on a stretchy cord (mainly for ferrets, but you could make a bracelet or necklace for yourself, too). The necklaces are for photos and when the ferrets are out to play.

A note about necklaces and collars: Never leave a collar or necklace on your ferret while they are in the cage due to the danger of hanging. Even when they're out playing, you need to supervise while they have anything around their necks, since when a ferret is caught on something, it instinctively rolls, which could strangle the ferret.