shelter website: www.scalesandtails.org
Gail’s interest in ferrets began in 1988 when she was given a young girl. This was her third and, lucky for her, final home. Before Gail knew what happened, her heart was stolen. She began sheltering because there was no one else in the area that worked with exotic pets. She has been sheltering for 5 years as Scales and Tails 501©3.
With sheltering, every ferret is special, but sometimes there are a few that seem to get a special place in your heart.
Jubilee found that place when she met Gail 2 years ago. Within 2 weeks, she developed a tumor on her hip. It was removed, but she then developed tumors all over her body and skin. Many of the tumors were removed and then both a vitamin therapy and chemotherapy were tried. She was given 2-4 weeks to live before treatments. She lived almost another year. Never was there a happier, more loving ferret.
Another special girl had been dumped outside a dog/cat shelter with her 10 siblings. Unfortunately, one of the ferrets escaped and got hit by a car. The others were fine, except this old, naked girl. Gail named her Isabella and to treat her adrenal disease, she had an adrenalectomy. Three weeks after surgery, she started limping. It was found that she had a previous injury and there was a 2 inch metal rod in her leg. The decision was made to remove the rod. Suddenly, she became the silkiest, prettiest DEW around. Not only did her looks improve, but she wouldn’t stop dancing! Bella, as he new daddy calls her, lives up to her name!
Sheltering is not easy. There is a never ending need for time and money. But there are great joys in sheltering. Seeing an animal, that came in on death’s door, dancing and playing, and, eventually, adopted is one of the joys that makes sheltering worth it to the Scales & Tails Exotic Pet Rescue.