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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 28, 2007 8:12:05 GMT -5
My boyfriend and I started with two ferrets. They were so wonderful, we added two more. Those two were sick and from then we got into rescue. The max number of allowable ferrets has risen since then to where it is currently at 15. We feel that's all we can really handle and give individual attention to.
That said, we currently have 18 wonderful little fuzzies. Adoptions are slow, and many of the ferrets have medical issues, so they're not going to give up their spot soon.
This morning I got an email from a man whose new landlord gave him an ultimatum: either the fuzzies go or everyone goes (landlords, come on. Just use a pet deposit for the love of fert). He of course doesn't want to be evicted, and he's doing the right thing by looking for a rescue. However, the rescue closest to him, MaFF, is closed for intake.
Part of me wants to take in these little guys, to hell with my stupid rule. Part of me knows that the care of 20 ferrets will quite likely be the death of me, since I have a full time job as well. My better half will surely veto the idea of taking them in - that's part of his job. But what fate am I leaving these ferrets to?
I know another rescue somewhat nearby, but I don't entirely trust the people in charge of it - they mean well, but they really don't seem on the ball. Maybe I should send him there...but I'm not sure if that's any better than just going to craigslist.
I'd be glad to hear your opinions on this matter.
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Post by shelter mom on Aug 28, 2007 8:15:38 GMT -5
I know what you mean, I have the same problem. It's hard to say no, but you have to set your limits. My shelter has been at my set limit, and I have had to put people on a waiting list. I vowed a long time ago not to get in over my head. If the quality of care isn't there for the ferrets, then there is no use having a shelter. Most folks have been willing to wait until I have an opening, so unless it's an emergency, or one from animal control, I will resort to using a waiting list if I have to.
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Post by Crystal on Aug 28, 2007 8:16:57 GMT -5
Maybe you can try finding someone to take in his ferrets. Where is he located?
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Post by Crystal on Aug 28, 2007 8:24:34 GMT -5
Do you have any prospective ferret owners wanting to adopt? Maybe they can foster to adopt.
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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 28, 2007 8:34:29 GMT -5
Ha. I wish I had people waiting to adopt. The only leads I've had are a 9 year old whose mother says no and a guy who can barely communicate through email who never got back to me after I gave him the adoption fees. People around here think ferrets are supposed to be free and that rescues run on sunshine and ferret poo.
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Post by Crystal on Aug 28, 2007 8:39:27 GMT -5
What kind of advertising are you doing? Have you thought about adoption days at petco? I know you that you can schedule adoption days with petco on saturdays.
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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 28, 2007 9:00:06 GMT -5
I'm rabid about ADV. I don't feel it's worthwhile to potentially expose my ferrets, even if it gets some of them adopted, so you won't see me at any events with them.
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Post by shelter mom on Aug 28, 2007 9:09:20 GMT -5
I think it's the time of year, adoptions here have been slow too. School is starting, (started here yesterday) so people are busy with that.
I did a couple of petco adoption days. They didn't really result in much, but you can go to those and hand out fliers and business cards without bringing ferrets. When I did them, I was the only ferret shelter there and I didn't allow anyone to handle the ferrets. I also set the cage on a table that I brought.
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Post by Crystal on Aug 28, 2007 9:25:02 GMT -5
My local ferret rescue brings 1-4 ferrets with her on adoption days, she says she gets a great response from them.
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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 28, 2007 10:24:53 GMT -5
Holy crap, I may have someone who can foster for me! Best of both worlds!
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Post by Crystal on Aug 28, 2007 10:52:40 GMT -5
YAY
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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 28, 2007 11:28:37 GMT -5
Or not. He's going to craigslist with them, because I can't foster free-roam ferrets. Sometimes people just frustrate the crap out of me.
Mister, I won't let your ferrets have free roam because I don't have a fully ferret-proofed house! Would you rather they were in a cage for part of a day or that they get into the gas oven and cook themselves or something equally stupid?
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amber
Carpet Shark
Posts: 168
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Post by amber on Aug 28, 2007 12:01:28 GMT -5
Obviously he is not as desperate as he made it sound.
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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 28, 2007 12:28:36 GMT -5
I swear, this deal is about as bouncy as a kit. Now the foster might be taking them in as a foster-to-adopt.
I'm not sure how to handle that. If she fosters and does vet work, I have to cover it, but if she adopts, do I waive the adoption fee because she's a foster? That seems like eating a lot of potential income.
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Post by shelter mom on Aug 28, 2007 14:15:23 GMT -5
If she's doing a 'foster to adopt' I would set a time limit, like 30 days. She has 30 days to foster, then after that time, she must either adopt the ferret, or return it. I've done that before with a person who wanted to do a 'test run' so to speak.
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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 28, 2007 15:28:37 GMT -5
The big problem is that I can't help these ferrets at all if she's not willing to foster them. I'm 3 ferrets over my self-determined limit, and just can't take any more, especially considering how many of my wizzles are sickies. <shakes fist at cancer in general>
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Post by islandnavygirl on Aug 29, 2007 11:28:39 GMT -5
Foster to adopts... usually go really well for us... I have had all of them end up adopting them. The best thing to do is to set the time limit. We do not waive the fee, but get it up front.... That way you don't have to chase it down later... We have a contract that they fill in and have to follow, when the time limit is up, they have the option of continuing to foster or to adopt. Either way they stay there... As I said we haven't had anyone return them at the time limit.
In 30 days those little fuzzies can really worm their way into any heart...
Good luck, stick with your limit, you won't be any help to them if you burn out and can't help any of them...
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Post by shadypinesferret on Aug 29, 2007 13:38:47 GMT -5
Burn out? I've only been doing this for a couple of months. I think I burned out a month ago and I'm just running on fumes.
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Post by islandnavygirl on Aug 29, 2007 13:50:54 GMT -5
Not good, not good at all...
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Post by tortiebaby on Sept 5, 2007 15:23:34 GMT -5
The way I say "no" is to take a really deep breath(my computer is in the livingroom with the ferret cage). When I get the gag reflex, I know I have too many. ROFL!
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Post by Crystal on Sept 5, 2007 15:33:58 GMT -5
The way I say "no" is to take a really deep breath(my computer is in the livingroom with the ferret cage). When I get the gag reflex, I know I have too many. ROFL! Sounds like you have a cleaning issue. |
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Post by tortiebaby on Sept 6, 2007 15:03:07 GMT -5
Nope, no cleaning issue. I just live in a really small apartment, lol. I clean the boxes every day and only bathe my ferrets when they get dirty(once every couple months). I also deep-clean my cage at least every week and checnge the bedding every week as well. But with 5 ferrets in a small, 1-bedroom apartment, there will always be a slight smell, haha.
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Post by Crystal on Sept 6, 2007 15:13:06 GMT -5
but it shouldn't be enough to gag you.
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Post by tortiebaby on Sept 6, 2007 17:54:33 GMT -5
Well, it was kind of a joke. Ya know, haha.
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Post by Crystal on Sept 6, 2007 21:22:45 GMT -5
Oh well sometimes you can't tell when someone is joking. Maybe putting a lol j/k afterwards can help protray your seriousness.
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