By Michelle Oyola
OF THE POST-DISPATCH
10/28/2006
Hannah Fiess, 7, of Webster Groves, holds a ferret for the first time at the PetsMart Store in Brentwood Promenade Sunday. Fiess mother Shelley said, " We came in to have a look. Most recently we had fish, and then cats, but the girls want a dog. That could end our marriage... We had a guinea pig. We've had a lot of animals."
(Karen Elshout/P-D)
Meet Anita Berg, 50. Berg runs a ferret hospice program in her home, located in the city limits. She has 25 ferrets living in her basement and on the first floor. Ten of the slinky, silky-smooth mammals are her own pets, but the others are there because they have medical needs.
One white ferret named F.D.R. is paralyzed. He scoots around the floor, dragging his two hind legs around with his muscular front end as he teases one of Berg's cats. F.D.R. fell from a two-story balcony and is now one of the ferrets in Berg's care.
Berg is constantly changing bedding, mopping floors, bleaching litter boxes, giving medicine and making sure the ferrets get enough exercise. But she doesn't mind the work.
"I love it," she says as she holds F.D.R. up to her nose. He gently sniffs her lips, and she returns his kisses. "They're my new kids. My real kids are grown and gone. They're a lot of work, but I love them anyway."
Berg is a volunteer for FURRY (Ferrets Underfoot Running Round You) Ferret Rescue. The nonprofit organization offers ferret adoptions and educates the public about ferrets. Since its founding in 1997, the organization has found new homes for about 1,300 ferrets, says Robert Morris, FURRY president.
FURRY began as a social club for ferret lovers. However, people who didn't want their ferrets began dropping them off at members' homes, so the idea for a rescue agency just for ferrets was born.
The organization originally had a shelter, which was located at the founders' residence. But the founders weren't able to maintain the shelter because of financial reasons.
As a result, FURRY was restructured, and about 25 volunteers now open their homes to the unwanted ferrets, Morris says. It isn't uncommon for volunteers to open their wallets, as well. None of the volunteers minds too much because of the love they share for the furry critters.
"It's hard to describe what it is about a ferret that makes it so special," Morris says. He tried to sum it up by explaining that ferrets maintain their curiosity and playfulness throughout their entire lives.
Right now, FURRY has 24 ferrets available for adoption. The foster parents bring the adoptable ferrets to regular adoption events. Volunteers answer questions about the ferrets and talk to people interested in adopting.
However, not all of the ferrets surrendered to FURRY are suitable for adoption, and Berg takes them in. Some have cancer, liver problems, adrenal disease and insulinoma. Others are just too old to start a new life: Ferrets only live about seven years. Even though Berg has 25 ferrets now, that number could change any day.
"I've lost as many as nine in a week," Berg says. This can be hard on her, considering she spends most evenings caring for and loving all over the ferrets after working a typical day at AT&T.
Some people turn their ferrets over to FURRY because the ferrets are sick, but this isn't common. Typically, people decide they don't want their ferrets for two reasons. First, a change of address. Ferrets are illegal in some cities and states. Sometimes children go off to college, and the parents don't want to care for the ferret.
The other reason involves the new owner not doing enough homework before bringing home a ferret.
"People get them as babies at a breeder or some pet store and then find out how much work a young ferret is," Morris says. A baby ferret requires the same amount of time and care as a puppy or kitten, he says.
Many owners have more than one ferret. When people surrender two, three or four ferrets to FURRY, the organization tries to keep these families together. Ferrets forge strong bonds and shouldn't be separated, Morris says. However, this makes finding them homes much harder. Also, FURRY is a no-kill organization.
Before surrendered ferrets can be adopted out, they must get a checkup. They receive all of the necessary medical care, but they also receive a sociability test. Volunteers play with the ferrets to see if they are friendly. Some ferrets, if neglected for a long period of time, will bite out of fear. Volunteers resocialize these ferrets before offering them to the public. They also determine if the ferret can live happily with other ferrets.
Berg's house is filled with examples of how complex these little animals can be.
Daisy, one little female at her home, had to be force-fed for three months after her family surrendered her to FURRY. Bagel, a male ferret, has refused to sleep with other ferrets since his cage-mate passed away.
Applicants must go through a lengthy adoption procedure before taking a ferret home. It includes making sure the prospective owner knows about ferrets and has the proper means to care for one. The FURRY website explains why: "The ferrets in our care have been given up once in their lifetime, and we do all that we can to make sure it never happens again."
Morris emphasized that anyone who wants to learn more about ferrets or ferret adoptions can contact FURRY at any time. He wants all prospective ferret owners to have all of the necessary information before bringing a ferret home.
"Give it a good deal of thought before adopting any animal," Morris says, "not just a ferret."
FURRY CAN BE REACHED AT 314-608-0370 OR BY VISITING FURRY.FERRETLIFE.COM. ADOPTION FEES ARE $80 FOR A FERRET, $90 FOR A FERRET UNDER 1 YEAR OLD, $125 FOR TWO FERRETS AND $50 FOR ADDITIONAL FERRETS ADOPTED TOGETHER.
Common Misconceptions
Even though ferrets are the third most popular companion pet, we humans still tend to jump to the wrong conclusions regarding these furry critters. Robert Morris, FURRY president, debunks common myths and misconceptions.
1. Ferrets always live in cages
New ferret owners sometimes make the mistake of believing their new pet can be kept in a cage all of the time, like a hamster or gerbil. Ferrets can be kept in cages, but they require daily human interaction and exercise. Morris compared this to the level of care required by dogs and cats.
2. Ferrets bite
FURRY volunteers are asked over and over if ferrets bite. Just like cats and dogs, ferrets will bite if they are mistreated or scared. However, they are not inherently mean. Baby ferrets tend to nip and must be taught their manners.
3. Ferrets are rodents
Ferrets are not related to mice or rats. They are related to weasels and minks and are distant cousins of otters and skunks.
4. Ferrets stink to high heaven
Ferrets give off a scent, but it can be controlled. Feeding the proper food, cleaning the cage regularly and taking care of the ferret’s hygiene all help in odor control. |
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