by Drew Storey
NORTHWEST ADVANCE
Monday October 08, 2007, 4:52 PM
 |
| Supplied Photo Dee Gage, June Wolf, Gale Simon and Myra De La Cruz
showing off their pet ferrets. |
When Gale Simon brought a ferret home three years ago, her husband Alan was having
absolutely no part of it.
He threatened to take it to the Humane Society. He didn't talk to his wife
for three days. Then something happened. Over the course of those three days, Simon fell in love with their new pet.
Now he has a room with a three-tiered cage to accommodate his pets.
"I just fell in love with them," said Simon. "They are very loving, extremely
intelligent and like being held."
The Simons participate in volunteer work for the Midwest Ferret Fellowship,
with room to foster up to six ferrets at a time.
"It's really my first calling in life, just because of how much I enjoy it," said
Simon.
On Saturday, Oct. 20, the West Michigan Ferret Connection and Deb's Ferret
Rescue and Boarding will be hosting the Second Annual Midwest Ferret Fellowship
Faire at the Deltaplex, located at 2500 Turner.
Dee Gage, founder of the West Michigan Ferret Connection, has been exposed
to animals her entire life. Growing up a cat and dog person, Gage brought two
ferrets home, Nilla and Beau, in 1996 to fill the void that came with the death
of her pet cat.
"I tell people when I do presentations. Ferrets don't bark or meow, they are
quite playful," said Gage. "These guys are the best. Everyday is a new day."
Gage no longer has cats or dogs. She concentrates her efforts on saving abandoned
ferrets, housing around 50 ferrets over the course of a year.
In 2002, Gage co-founded the Midwest Ferret Fellowship, and in 2003 she was
asked by the Michigan Department of Agriculture to sit on the Companion Animal
Advisory Committee.
Gage said ferrets have become the third most popular companion pet after cats
and dogs. She said that it's when baby ferrets are displayed in pet stores
like a rodent that people think there is little work in owning one.
"When people see ferrets displayed like mice or guinea pigs, they think they
can just throw it in a cage all day. Then they find out how much attention
they require," said Gage. "That is when I get them."
Within the ferret realm, the event on Oct. 20 will have the elite in knowledge
of the animal. Author of the "ferret bible" Ferrets for Dummies Kim Schilling
will be in attendance with copies of the newly released second edition of the
book. Local photographer Jennifer Deming is well known for capturing the unique
behavior of ferrets in photos. "She takes the best ferret pictures," said Gage.
As much fun the event might be, with games, contests and other features, the
most important thing for both Simon and Gage is to bring awareness.
"People are becoming more and more aware. But there is a need out there," said
Gage.
"We're hoping that getting the word out will help to educate the public as to
what a great pet they are," said Simon.
For more information, visit www.midwestferretfellowship.org. |
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