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| Erica
Burrus photo/ Itchy, a ferret, climbs up to get a better
look at the camera. Itchy was a rescue from a frat house who
permanently has a broken jaw and leg because of previous injuries
that were never fixed. |
 |
Suburban Journals
By
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Thursday, March 20, 2008
New T-shirts disappear with only the packaging left behind. Food left in a bag
disappears. A cell phone charger vanishes.
These items are of no value to burglars, so who takes them?
"Ferrets are smart little thieves," said Anita Berg, who has 22 of the furry
creatures that live with her and her husband in their Lindenwood Park home. "If
you don't know where they like to hide things, you're in trouble."Berg is one
of 15 active member of Furry Ferrets Underfoot Running Round You (FURRY) Ferret
Rescue, a non-profit organization that rescues, adopts and educates people
about ferrets.
Furry works with other animal organizations, such as the Humane Society of Missouri,
to rescue ferrets. Anytime an animal organization comes across ferrets dropped
off at their shelter or through a raid, they call FURRY. Furry takes the creatures
and then seeks foster homes until they can be adopted. Creatures with severe
injuries stay with the members.
The organization also has a telephone hot line for people to turn in unwanted
ferrets.
Ferrets are small domesticated animals that need constant supervision when they're
out of their cage.
"For a ferret, anything is a toy," said Carol Sineni, 46, of Bridgeton. "Ferrets
are thieves. They take things and hide them."
Sineni, a FURRY member and her husband, Scott, a FURRY board member, have six
ferrets and many stories to tell. The oddest behavior she witnessed involved
a ferret who tried to drag a softball bat across the floor to hide behind the
couch.
This would seem like an impossible task, but that doesn't deter a ferret. Ferrets
weigh between 1.5 and four pounds and vary in length from 12 to 18 inches. They
are members of the same family that includes skunks, weasels, badgers and minks,
said Rob Morris, the organization's president.
Ferrets are clever and curious, traits that can get them into trouble. They can
make their way into ducts, pipes, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and cabinets
if owners aren't vigilant. Any hole they can get their head into they check out.
The diameter of their head is about the size of a quarter.
"Baby-proofing is easy," Sineni said. "Ferret-proofing is impossible."
They can climb under furniture, willingly go anywhere and check out everything.
"I would describe ferrets as a challenge due to their curiosity and persistence.
They also have very high energy levels," said Morris, a 43-year-old Mehlville
resident. "They can be good companions, but it depends on the personality of
the ferret. As with dogs and cats, each ferret has its own personality."
Some ferrets like to cuddle while others are independent and keep to themselves.
Some ferrets like to live alone while others live in pairs or packs.
FURRY will not separate any ferrets that are already bonded because it's hard
on them, said Kevin Hill, a FURRY board member.
The organization was formed 11 years ago by a couple who are no longer involved
with the group. It was started with the intention of bringing ferret owners together.
Then, people started dropping off unwanted ferrets and FURRY became a rescue
group.
Today, the organization answers questions about ferrets at adoption events and
does educational lectures at schools.
It's Hill's job to answer the organization's hot line telephone and respond to
e-mails. He sets up adoption events, does rescue intakes and veterinarian office
visits. He also screens applications for potential adoptees, checks references
and does home visits.
FURRY has adoption events at local PetSmart stores once every two to three weeks.
Before a ferret can be adopted, people must fill out an application that asks
about their residence, other animals and medical records.
"We try to match a ferret's background and personality with the prospective parents," said
Hill, 35, of Dutchtown.
The cost for adoption is $90 for one ferret under 1 year old, $80 for a ferret
over a 1 year old, pairs are $125 and a trio is $175.
"I normally describe ferrets as great pets for the right person," Hill said. "They
only have two speeds - off and full throttle. So when they are out of the cage
they need your attention, but that lasts for only a couple of hours at the
most. They tend to sleep most of the time.
"I think that the biggest hurdle in owning a ferret is that they will steal your
heart," Hill said. "Most people cannot have just one."
For more information, call (314) 608-0370 or visit www.furryferretrescue.org.
Ferret frenzy
Who: FURRY Ferret Rescue
What: Ferret adoption event
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22
Where: PetSmart, 4621 Chippewa St.
Cost: Ranges from $80 to $175
More information: (314) 608-0370 or visit www.furryferretrescue.org
Ferret facts
? Life span usually is 6 to 8 years.
? They weigh between 1.5 to four pounds.
? They are 12 to 18 inches long.
? They eat a diet high in protein. Food should contain 35 percent to 40 percent
protein.
? Ferrets sleep about 18 hours a day. |
Ferret News 
