November 2003 Issue

We’re proud to present our very first issue of the Biggest Little Ferret Shelter Newsletter! 
We wanted to bring this to you so you can read our success stories, helpful hints, cute photos, whatever, we just want to let you join us in our daily life of being ferret parents and have a quick reference of available resources.

This will be a monthly publication, if you would like to get on the mailing list or have it emailed, please let us know.

To contact us email redferret4@yahoo.com

About The Board:

President: October

Shelter Operator: October

Secretary:  Amber

Treasurer:  October

Director: Chris

As you can see three board members run the shelter, if you are interested in volunteering please contact us.

Logo Contest!

 

Okay, I need an artist because I have no artistic skills. Here are the thoughts for a logo…  Since it is the Biggest Little Ferret Shelter, we’re thinking here… we need to have an arch, write the name of the shelter in the arch, then have a ferret or two or three or four running around or peeking around or something ferret like around the arch…  get creative!

Deadline for submissions is Jan. 15th of 2004.  The winner will receive a free ferret, he he, just kidding, we don’t know what the winner will get yet, probably just recognition for donating a logo to a non-profit, no kill ferret shelter, along with lots of fame in the ferret world and possibly more requests for more artwork.

A success story:

Jenny was brought to the shelter in June of 2003. She had been at her previous home for about 3 years. When she came to the shelter, you could tell she had a very hard life.

She was bought for a kid who loved her and then decided she was too much trouble. Instead of the child parents finding a new home for Jenny, they thought to teach their child a lesson and not care for her either. But instead of the child learning a lesson all they did was punish a very sweet little ferret.

She had been locked in her cage for almost the entire 3 years while she was at that home. She never got out to play or receive any type of attention other then when she had some cat food put in the cage. A neighbor lady knew the conditions this ferret was living in, and when the owners decided they were moving out of state, she took it upon herself to make sure that the ferret got left behind and placed in a proper environment.

 Jenny was picked up by the shelter operator of the Biggest Little Ferret Shelter soon after. When October heard about Jenny, she was appalled at her story and wanted to give her a good home.

When Jenny got to the shelter, October went to change her diet in her food bowl and discovered that while the food dish may have been filled with cat food, the dish was very large so it would not have to be filled often, and the food was molding on the bottom of the dish. This just shows how un-often they had even

bothered to feed her. It took October over a week to get her to come out of the cage on her own, and even then she was debating, would only come out for a short while, then crawl back in her cage and curl up like a scared little ferret.

She had no idea what it meant to play, let alone be loved.

 

When October received a copy of Jenny’s shot records, there was a note in the paperwork that said she had bit the vet and was dropped on the floor. This poor

little girl definitely had a hard life.

I was looking at the NNFN website and the adoptable ferrets, when I read Jenny’s story I knew I had to rescue this ferret. The first time I met her she was a very skinny scared little girl, who was a bit nippy. October had told us how much work she had done with her. That when Jenny first came to the shelter she wouldn’t come out of her cage on her own, had no idea how to play or that humans can be her friends.

My husband and I were determined to have Jenny added to our family. October brought her to our house so she could meet our boys and she has been with us ever since. Since she became a member of our family she has become a changed little girl. She has ferret friends, something she never had before. She has not nipped at anyone in over 4 months and looks absolutely wonderful. When October came to visit her after she had been with us for about two months, she didn’t even recognize Jenny. She has learned how to play, how much fun it is to dook, dance and just be a ferret. We love her very much and are grateful that we were able to add her to our family. Her name is now Queen Jennifur.

If not for the shelter, who knows the horrors Queen Jennifur and many other ferrets would be going through. So thank you October and everyone else involved with the shelter.

Sincerely, Amber, Chris,

& All the Fuzzy Ferrets.

Another contest??

 

Why yes, we want your stories, we want your photos, we want it all ferret related!!!  Every issue we want to share your experiences, your laughs and your sadness.  Prizes are this, you get the satisfaction of contributing to a non-profit, no-kill ferret shelter, you get to be involved and have your story printed on cheap paper because we can’t afford anything else.

And the best veterinarian in the area award goes to… drum roll please…

 

Dr. Cameron Ross D.V.M. at Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital

 

Minden may seem like a long drive from Reno, but it’s not for the fuzzies that need the right care.  Dr. Cameron Ross is a very compassionate person towards these critters and his knowledge of ferrets is beyond me.  Thank you Dr. Ross Cameron for working with the shelter!

 

Cameron Ross, D.V.M
1390 Highway 88
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 782-3693
Member American Animal Hospital Association

 

If you would like to donate to the vet costs, there is an account set up under Northern Nevada Ferret Network, just call them at 775-782-3693.

 A couple thoughts…

 

Running a ferret shelter is tough, not only is it time consuming but also costly.  The money I spend comes out of my own pocket, the food, the vet costs, the gas, the everything.  The few donations I do receive are greatly appreciated. I also understand that sometimes ferret lovers don’t have the financial means, so please, come to the shelter and play with the fuzzies, they will appreciate it, and it will give me much needed time to get caught up on cleaning.  Oh, please don’t call at 3 am and ask my hours, the shelter is in my home, it is my home, I need to be able to sleep, so, by appointment only please J           

Photo of an advanced adrenal ferret
And what does the shelter need?  Well let’s see… EVERYTHING!!!  I can always use extra cages, extra blankies, hammies, sleep sacks and towels.  Treats, treats and more treats.  Food of course (I use Totally ferret, Pro plan kitten chicken flavor, Mazuri, Pathvalley farms and 8 in 1 Ultimate).  Toys toys toys.  Litter (yesterdays news or generic yesterdays news) .  Paper towels and cleaning supplies.  Ferretone, ferretvite.  Of course financial assistance is always welcome, please remember we are a non-profit no-kill shelter, if you would like to donate directly to the vet, please do so, we have an account set up under the Northern Nevada Ferret Network at Carson Valley animal Hospital 775-782-3693.   The shelter also sells hammocks and sleep sacks made by a wonderful volunteer, please contact the shelter for more info, redferret4@yahoo.com Or paypal donations at redferret4@yahoo.com
Did you know? If you use a fish based ferret food or cat food then your fuzzies stools may have an unpleasant smell?  Solution?  Switch your food.  Look for a high protein chicken based ferret food. I recommend Totally ferret, 8 in 1 Ultimate, Path Valley Farms, Mazuri or Pro Plan kitten food chicken flavor.  Feeding your fuzzy cat food is not recommended as it does not have the high content of protein necessary for a ferrets system.  Remember, they do not have the capability of digesting fruits or vegetable, and while they may love the taste, allowing your fuzzy such treats could end up in an expensive trip to the emergency vet to clear the blockage.  If you are going to switch their diet, please remember to do so slowly.

Life at the Shelter

by Phyllis Elledge

 

We live at the shelter but none of us mind

‘Cause everyone here is so gentle and kind.

They took us all in with nary a thought

Despite the baggage that some have brought.

 

Many here are old, some  were abandoned or hurt.

While others are sick, or just no longer “cute”.

A few had families that loved them so dear

But could no longer keep them, so now they live here.

 

We’re always kept warm and have nice clean beds.

There’s always fresh water and we’re very well fed.

We get out to play and run and play fight

Then we’re tucked back  in our cages, safe every night.

 

Those healthy and happy sometimes find a new home.

And get Forever Families, no more to roam.

When they leave the shelter we’re all sad

But deep in our hearts we’re all really glad.

 

But some were abused, and feel scared and alone.

Their trust has been shattered, all hope is gone.

So they’ll live at the shelter, their Forever Home.

And be loved and cared for, and never again alone.

And those who are sick are not turned away

They live at the shelter ‘til the end of their days.

There’ll be tests and meds, done along with a hug and a kiss

There’s not a chance of a cure that these shelter moms miss.

 

And when the time comes to pass they’re not alone

For they’re usually being held by someone from here at our home.

They know they were loved as much as the hale and the hearty

And they know one day they’ll all be reunited at the Bridge for a party!

 

 

Even though they lived at a shelter they’ll never be sad

For they’ll have lots of new friends and they’re really glad

That there was someone that loved them and cared so much

To help their crossing be peaceful, as they give a last gentle touch.

 

But we who live here think nothing about it

and we know we’re held dear by our shelter parents

Who are  filled with patience, compassion and love.

And must get their strength for the Man up above.
News!

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