shelter website: www.ferretwaystation.com
Petfinder listing: www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX620.html
We got our first ferret in 2001. My son was 9 at the time and his cocker spaniel passed away unexpectedly. He wanted a guinea pig. We went to PetSmart to look at cages, and there was a dog/cat rescue group with a ferret. We went to the rescue group the next day to adopt Slinky. My son took his piggy bank and emptied it on the counter to pay for the adoption fee.
I began sheltering in Nov. 2005 when our former shelter director moved to Hawaii.
After discussing the demands of a shelter with my husband and son (plus I also have a full time job), and getting their support, I decided to go ahead with taking over shelter operations since there were no other organizations in the Austin area that handled ferrets.
Danny Zuko is the most memorable ferret that has come to us. He was found in the grease trap of a fast food restaurant and taken to Animal Control in Killeen, about 90 miles north of Austin. My husband went to pick him up on a Friday afternoon, and called me as soon as he got there. He told me he really felt this little guy wasn’t going to make it and suggested he stop at a vet’s office to have him humanly euthanized. I figured if he was really that bad off, animal control would have euthanized him. So my husband brings him home, and I immediately burst into tears. I couldn’t believe this poor ferret was still alive. He was nothing but skin and bones, and couldn’t even stand up. I gave him sub-q fluids and syringe fed him every few hours over the weekend, and within four days he was up and walking. He ended up passing away a few months later from liver cancer, but for those few months he touched many hearts.
Danny Zuko
The biggest challenge I face is the surrender of older ferrets. People have these poor guys for 5 or 6 years, then decide to give them up. It’s very hard to adopt out an older ferret, and many times they get depressed and quit eating, and sometimes even die, of nothing more than a broken heart. Shelter life isn’t ideal for these older ferrets; our time is very limited since there are so many to care for. It’s very heartbreaking to see a ferret lose it’s will to live because someone decided they didn’t want him or her anymore.
It gives me great joy to place a ferret in the perfect home. I enjoy meeting new people, and educating new ferret owners. I have gained many close friends due to ferrets and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.
April 4th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Thanks Connie
My little fuzzy is the perfect fit for my family. He is truly one of US. He is the only one that gets up at 6am. Coffee for me treats for him. Then off to the bathroom where I shave and he cleans himself.
After that into the bedroom where he plays on the bed while I dress. Then to the computer to check emails. I write in english and he writes in ferret. After the coffee kicks in we run around the house playing “catch me if you can” and “towel rodeo”. He poops out and I go to work. Its a great way to start any day. Diego is well loved.
Robert.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Bravo Connie. God bless you and your family for all the sacrifices you go through for these awesome little creatures.
Scooter and Sabrina are doing great. With new names they left their old world behind. I (and KodiBear) could not imagine life without them. It breaks my heart every time I remember that someone just left them behind, as if they were trash. I hope they (those who previously had them) never have to feel what Scooter-Pie and Sabrina-Katrina (their nicknames)felt due to their cold, careless negligence.
Love and fuzzy kisses,
Ludivina
KodiBear, Scootie-Pie, Sabrina-Katrina
Tony & Skippy at the Rainbow Bridge