Shelter websites- www.ferretbedding.com
After my dog of 17 years died in about 1994, I couldn’t stand to replace him. But I’d seen baby ferrets in the mall stores around Indianapolis and had already taken to visiting them. My first ferret was larger and more desperate than the others. I know now he had probably been returned. Even in the store he bit me and drew a little blood. I just thought–he doesn’t like me, I have to make him like me. Well, actually I said SHE doesn’t like me. The shop girl told me he was a girl. After that, I rescued and fostered a few for a lady from Circle City Ferret Club, and when I moved out to New Mexico, I was still available to rescue and foster. I did call the shelters listed for Albuquerque so that I could work with them (and at one point so I could find an elder companion for my Cookie), but I never heard back. It didn’t bother me much because I’d never been real big on “community.”
That changed when Cookie had her eye problems–some people may remember her from a few years ago; the little white female ferret with the exploding eyes. I did some desperate fundraising and advice-seeking, and the ferret community was truly wonderful. Encouragement from all over the world, advice, and help. The whole thing really made me want to reach out and help other ferret efforts whenever I could from that time on. (I hope people remember this ripple effect. So often we see some stranger reaching out on the boards, and yes, sometimes they’re flakes or con artists. But then there are far-reaching positive effects.) Well, Cookie’s eyes were removed on the day after Christmas and she had another six months–good months.
And I was still available to rescue, though ferrets came in slowly. They still do. But a couple of years ago I got in a record 10 ferrets within about a month. I know, it’s nothing compared to most places but it was a lot for me. Sandi Robinson convinced me to go official and register as a rescue with SOS, to ease the cost of caring for them. The plan was to work with an actual shelter, bringing ferrets there. Not long after that, the other shelter closed to new ferrets. So I added “Shelter” to the name Rezweezil Ferret Rescue, tried for even more overtime at work, and here I am.
I guess many of my challenges are unique. No volunteers whatsoever, no way to leave for even a day without taking the sick and elderly with me. Very little in-person community–no shows or shindigs or anything. People are wonderful about sending cards and helping however they can, though. Besides being close to the ferrets, one of the most wonderful things is all the kindness that’s out there. This was the most beautiful Christmas I’ve ever had (all the care for Cookie might have been, but I was too frantic at the time). I’m so grateful to everyone. I have a web site, though it’s barely begun and hasn’t been updated in ages: www.rezweezilrescue.ferretbedding.com and also a web site for my bedding, which of course supports the shelter: www.ferretbedding.com. I have a few things for sale in Julie’s ebay store, ferret moms united, and some books at amazon.com under the seller name theclover .
It’s hard to adopt out here in the middle of the reservation. First off, there are very few calls. The Natives don’t believe in owning “ground people,” and dog fighting is a popular sport with much of the rest of the population, while others seem to be convinced that the humane thing to do is let the ferret “return to the wild” if it wants to wander out an open door.
Getting to the vet is almost as hard. There’s a very nice local vet who doesn’t know ferrets well. And a good ferret vet 150 miles away, but I can only do surgery with him if it can’t wait. And then there are two excellent, affordable surgeons, both about 8 hours from me each way–I try to bring at least two at a time.
The ferrets and I will probably be moving to a more populous area soon, primarily so that I can do a better job of this, and in less isolation. (How do I describe it? The center of community life is the Walmart.) The job hunt is on. I’ll miss the rez, but it’s time to move. If I can put out a plea now, I’ll need help moving this summer, watching ferrets during the whole process, and setting up. The southwest would make a great vacation spot for anyone wanting a working vacation.
Special ferrets? I know this sounds cheesy, but they really are all special. Alfie and Theodore seemed to touch a lot of hearts. Alfie has a genetic defect and can’t open his jaw, so he needs soft food, cut up small. He’s a tremendous people lover, and a little scared of most other ferrets, since he can’t defend himself. Sometimes he wrestles my hand and pretends to bite it.
Theo was being literally beaten by a group of teenagers in Las Vegas. A man took him from them and brought him to CJ. He was freaked out, of course, and wouldn’t let human or ferret near him for about a year. He’s blind and deaf on one side and sometimes has a sort of spastic run that makes me suspect nerve damage, but his little spirit seems completely recovered. He is loving, and playful. He just had adrenal surgery recently and is healing wonderfully.
Then Willow and Oliver–the owner had a stroke, and lost her job. Willow came in nekkid and dooking at everything, and he came in angry and protective; he just followed her around taking care of her. For quite a while, whenever I tried to touch her, he attacked me. What a perfect guy.
