Ohio Ferret Rescue - 2007 - 2008

Update January, 2008

On January 6, 2008, FACT took possession of an additional 4 ferrets (1 female and 3 males) that were returned to Ferrets Dream House Shelter from the original rescue. That brings the to a total 22 ferrets that FACT was able to take in from this unprecedented ferret rescue. We are happy to add that all the ferrets originally surrendered to Ferrets Dream House Shelter have been re-homed or are in the protective care of shelters across the US.

A large number of the original 18 that arrived at FACT can be seen in the following picture happily blended together!

Background

On September 16, 2007, due to personal and health hardships, Unique Impressions Ferretry owner/operator Douglas McKay surrendered all of his ferrets to Ferrets Dream House Shelter in Lynx, Ohio.  There were a total of approximately 750 surrendered to the shelter.

FACT's Response

 As President Ann Gruden, and Shelter Director Vanessa Gruden were scheduled to attend the American Humane Association conference in Alexandria, VA, it was decided by FACT's board, that as we were already nearly halfway to Lynx, Ohio, FACT would rent a van and bring back as many ferrets as possible to the Northeast. We contacted area shelters to see how many they might be able to take. Concerned Ferret Owners in New Jersey indicated they could take between 20 and 30; Massachusetts Friends of Ferrets requested 8; and Something Up My Sleeve Shelter in Maryland indicated they could take up to 5.

Renting a Dodge Caravan, FACT made the trip there on September 30th, returning in the wee hours of October 1st with 48 ferrets on board of various ages and sexes. 22 were dropped at Concerned Ferret Owners shelter in Washington, NJ at midnight (5 for SUMS and 17 for CFO). The remaining 18 arrived at the FACT shelter around 3:30 am where they were settled into more spacious, quarantine quarters.

In addition, FACT is proud to announce that we were able to donate $1,000 to Ferrets Dream House Shelter to help cover the cost of transportation and care. The funds were allocated from FACT's Disaster Fund established following Hurricane Katrina to deal with "disasters" affecting ferrets. FACT's board agreed that this surrender, representing the largest ferret surrender/rescue in US history, met the qualifications  established for the fund.

FACT will be tapping the Disaster Fund as well as our general shelter funds to help pay for the neutering/spaying of the 18 ferrets (13 females, 5 males); the cost of the transport; medications, vaccinations and necessary supplies to house and care for this additional burden on FACT. Many of these ferrets are still skittish and unaccustomed to handling. They will require time to become fully adoptable to anyone other than very experienced owners. 

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING NOW!

                             

PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING NOW!

In addition to the significant addition to the number of ferrets in the shelter, these ferrets need time with people. Please consider volunteering for a time to help clean and socialize these ferrets. They are not vicious biters though some are nippy. Please, adults only are eligible to care for these animals until we become comfortable and they are consistent with their behavior.

PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING or FOSTERING NOW!

This is the perfect time to consider adding to your ferret family! We have a number of perfectly delightful ferrets of all ages ready for adoption or fostering. Just contact us.

Ohio Ferrets at FACT

Here are some early photos of these ferrets.

Fully loaded on the way to Ohio with supplies!

Fully loaded on the return with ferrets!

Welcome to Connecticut (thank you Justin!)!