Chicago Tribune
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Volunteer Joanne Mohr, of Chicago, left, hands off a pair of ferrets
to Alison Liska, of Berwyn, right, and the hands of Melissa Dagley,
of Chicago, who will bathe them before the move to a new facility.
89 animals were settled into new homes Sunday by 35 volunteers with
the Greater Chicago Ferret Association, carefully moving them from
a cramped 670-square-foot shelter in west suburban Lyons to larger
quarters three doors east. (Tribune
photo by Chuck Berman / January 29,
2010) |
By, Jack Mccarthy
February 1, 2010
Ninna and Luchis peeked briefly at passers-by Sunday, sniffed at the
flurry of activity around them and quickly decided that burrowing into
soft fabric in their spacious cage was far more satisfying.
A pair of female ferrets, Ninna and Luchis were among 89 animals who settled
into new homes Sunday as 35 volunteers with the Greater Chicago Ferret Association
carefully moved them from a cramped 670-square-foot shelter in west suburban
Lyons to larger quarters three doors east.
"The move itself has been over a year in planning," shelter director Steve Malec
said. "For the association, it's a move to expand and get bigger. From the shelter
perspective, we did this move to ensure better quality of animal care. It gives
us more space for volunteers to work, and it's a more healthy environment for
the animals."
Each ferret was shampooed, towel-dried and placed in a pet carrier for transport
to new cages that accommodated two ferrets apiece. Because ferrets have strong
bonds, Ninna and Luchis, as well as other pairs, went through the process together.
Ferrets are related to polecats and have short, soft fur. They're long and slender,
typically measuring up to 20 inches, including tails, and have a lifespan of
five to seven years. But personality sets them apart.
"They're playful. They're funny. They're perpetual kittens," said volunteer Allison
Sansone, who has three ferrets. "They interact with you, they interact with each
other. ... They make me laugh every day."
The ferret association calls itself the nation's only non-home-based ferret-only
shelter and has 250 paying members. It places up to 200 animals a year and welcomes
new adoptions. More information is available at the group's Web site, gcfa.com.
—Jack McCarthy |
