Oxford Ferret Rescue

[Angie]

Oxford Ferret Rescue

8th Annual Family Fun Day

April 10th, 2010

Ed Walls Building - Cecil County Fairgrounds


Oxford Ferret Rescue/Cecil County Animal Rescue will be holding its8th annual family fun day on April 10th at the Ed Walls Building, on the Cecil County Fairgrounds, in Elkton, Md.. The fun begins at 12 noon, with live auction, photo contest, fun questions, prizes, cake walks, and more!!!! Please come and help us support the rescue. To view the items we will have up for raffles or the live auction, just browse the pictures below. Be sure to check back often as many more are still being added!


If you are not able to come to the event, and still would like to help us raise money for the kids at the shelter, you can do so.

You can purchase raffle tickets, or place bids for live auctions items by contacting Dee Bickling at
[e-mail]

You can see all the items at:
www.creationsbyangie.com/3.html

And
www.oxfordrescue.org

Thank you for looking!

Angie

[Angie]

Here is the update from our latest newsletter:

Well, I know it's a bit late to get this out, but better late than never!!!!!!! SO -- a belated Happy 2010 to everyone.

This is going to be brief and hopefully as accurate as possible.
As always, I can't thank everyone enough for their continued support throughout the year. I certainly can't do this without the unselfish help from all of my volunteers.

I will start with the various ways that we try to raise money.

We had 2 bowling fundraisers that made about $1300.00. We always have fun at these and have great raffles too.

Our 7th Annual Fundraiser that was held at the Cecil County Fairground in April made about $5000.00. What a great day for everyone.

Selling Yankee candles is always a hit and we made about $700.00 this past year.

We made over $1600.00 in pizza sales.

Used ink jet printers and cell phones brought in $150.00.

Oxford Rescue 2010 calendar sales made $390.00. If you missed out on this incredible calendar that my cousin,Tracy, made using her own ferrets, you will have a chance for 2011. Her shots are as good or better than Jeanne Carley's!!!!!!!!!!

Total cash donations were about $5500.00.

I thought adoptions were down last year! They were really low in 2009-about $800.00.

Our popcorn selling was a hit and we made about $500.00.

The 2nd online raffle was a hit again and we made about $800.00.

We are always open to suggestions on making money, so don't hesitate to give us any ideas!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!


The expenses always are more than income so onto some of these!

ADV testing and shipping was over $1100.00.

We LOVE the Ed Walls building where we have our fundraiser, but it costs us $700.00 to be there.

Feeding the ferret frenzy is over $4000.00

Ferret meds (compounding pharmacy, lupron injections) were over $1400.00

Melatonin implants costs were over $800.00 and I get them at a rescue discount.

Oh - I wish there were ferret diapers. I spend about $4.00 a day on pellets so $4 x 365 = $1460 YIKES

If you haven't been on the website recently, you need to check it out. (www.oxfordrescue.org) The money spent on a new site was so well worth it. I LOVE it.

Then there is the little matter of the vet bill at Chadwell Animal Hospital. With a $11,000.00 discount, my bill was over $16,000.00.

My other kids - the rescued sheep and goats cost a lot less than the fuzzies. I moved with 16 of them 3 years ago and I now have just 10. I spend about $500.00 on hay and about $400.00 on feed.

Well it looks like I only placed about 30 ferrets last year.
2010 started out good, however.

I took in over 80 ferrets and as always, most were geriatrics and those are my favorite!


It would take to long for me to tell you about the very special old ferrets that I took in this past year.

I would like to share a few stories about special cases:


Max came in last Jan and he was totally blocked and had been for a while. His owner could not afford treatment and Dr. Deans asked if I would take him. Duh - he was only 3 years old, but in really bad shape. While trying to get in a urinary catheter to unblock his bladder, the bladder ruptured. He was asleep and didn't feel anything, but off we rushed to emergency adrenal surgery and bladder repair. Of course his kidney values were off the scale and his heart wasn't too happy either. He did well thru surgery and after a couple days of IV therapy and antibiotics, he was ok. But then 5 days later something was wrong and back in we went. Dr. Gold gave me that "look" and I gave one back (with tears) and off to surgery again. His bladder had been so compromised and necrotic that the sutures didn't hold.
So Dr. Gold performed another incredible surgery and once again repaired the bladder. It's over a year later and Max runs around like a wild man. His previous owner gets periodic updates to this happy ending.


Bartman was another special boy that went home to Pittsburgh with me last xmas.He had a blocked bile duct and had turned quite yellow. The medicines weren't working so we decided on surgery even though Dr. G hadn't done it on something so small.
The word is choledocystoduodenostomy for the surgery he did to try to reroute things. Sadly, Bartman made it thru surgery, but died in my arms later that day.

I knew that if anyone could save him, it would be Dr. Gold.


DooDah, my very special man, has been doing well the last year, all things considered! Every month he has a cyst on his liver that has to be drained. He holds very still - such an angle- and usually 35-40 cc of fluid is removed.Last month we removed 90cc of fluid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was sent off for analysis the first time and it's just fluid!

I'm so afraid that I will miss someone on my thank yous:
I have people that donated in 2009: Michael and Suzanne, Justin, Jeanne.

I don't know what to say about such generous donations.
Mary had a xmas party and asked for donations instead of exchanging presents.

Thanks to Lynne, Vicky, Janet and Moshka who donate regularly.
There were numerous 100.00 donations.
Please forgive me for those that I've missed.

To the volunteers that donate MANY hours of their time, gas money, ideas and support -- can't do this without you guys!!!
You know who you are!

To other shelter operators that listen to me complain and lend their support - THANK YOU.

To Kym who did my new site- LOVE IT!!!!

2010 news:

Surrenders including yesterdays' that was was going to be snake food. (Justine, she has your name on her!) 23


Adopted as of Jan 1st:
Don and Sonja (friends of Jeanne's) came all the way from Rhode Island and took adorable girls (thanks for the easter pics!!!)
David and family adopted great boys!!
Cindy and family adopted a wonderful pair!
Frank and Christine adopted 2 youngsters!
Stephanie adopted 2 lovely girls!
Bill came over 2 1/2 hours from NJ and adopted 2 middle aged kids-yeah!!!!
Donna adopted a very handsome boy!
Taina and family adopted a pair that I must have received 10 calls to adopt them!!!!!!
Christian, who adopted 6 years ago from me, took a beautiful pair of boys who love their old guy. (Good thing cause I wanted the Lancelot look-a-like!!)
Leslie and family from Virginia adopted an adorable girl to keep their boy company as he just lost his friend.
Mary adopted one of my wonderful little old ladies after she lost her companion.
So we're off to a good start!

I recently took in a pair from a breeder: a young black sable girl that I just had spayed and will soon be going to a great home.
The other-what can I say about the 7 year old albino intact male that has taken my heart.
He was a gem even before I had him neutered (and teeth cleaned).
Jessie-you found a relative of Spirit (RIP) for me and in that I also am so very reminded of my very silly
Richie Rich (DMK boy RIP) so I can't say how happy I am. He better live to be 15.

OK then-this letter is so late that our 8th Annual Fundraiser has come and gone!!!
What's next???
We will be having a "Blessing of the animals" at Chadwell Animal Hospital sometime in June (hopefully).
As soon as that date is set, we will let everyone know.
We have crafts and goodies also.


We just did an adoption day at the PetCo at Christiana Mall and they would like us there as often as possible.
If you would like to volunteer 3 hours on a Sat please let me know and we will get details to you.

The health issues: adrenal disease - please know the signs, as hairloss is NOT the only one, especially in your boys!!!
Insulinoma - please join our yahoo group as I wrote in length about this disease as it is very close to me.
I have over 30 on meds for this disease. Is your ferret sleeping more? Get his glucose tested!
Loose poop? Get his glucose tested! Weight loss? Get his glucose tested. Got it??!!!
Hairballs!!! Give hairball meds several times a week or you will end up in surgery!!!!

Thanks for letting me ramble.


Can't leave out Wolf, especially since I got engaged on Xmas Eve!


Zeke, you are in my thoughts daily and I know you are with me.


THANK YOU ALL!!



Sincerely,

Claudia and zoo

[Angie]

Just wanted to send a quick update sorta. The other night we had just got home from the Youth Group event and The Pet Shoppe where Claudia and I purchase food called. Gina is a wonderful lady and she had got a phone call from a family that had been overwhelmed by cuteness of a ferret after loosing another pet. However they realized it may not have been the right pet for their family. They wanted to bring the little girl and all her supplies into the pet store to see if Gina could find a home. Gina didn't want those coming in thinking she was selling ferrets and so she called. I knew I was at my limit and even thinking of bring another fur kid in the door would send hubby into fits. However I called Claudia (that was going to be Gina's next call anyways). Never one to say know she said find out more info and even though the shelter is full, full, full see what can be worked out! I called and the lady was very willing to keep little Gretchen until the ADV results come back. They just wanted her to go to a home that loved her with all their hearts. Called Clauda back and she agreed. The lady came today and I did the ADV test and Claudia will mail it in tomorrow. Also upon looking at her picture and age and such Claudia is 99% sure she already has a home for this little girl!!! As soon as the ADV test comes back Claudia will be contacting the potential adopters and hopefully this little girls 3rd home will be her forever home!!!! Just wanted to share a happy ending.

Angie

[saplantlady]

fingers crossed for a happy ending to a new forever home

[fizzle]

i love a good story like that. good luck to that lucky fuzzy!!!

[Angie]

Claudia asked that we post the latest adoptable ferrets at Oxford Ferret Rescue.

PLEASE continue to look at the previous "Adoptables" folders here on the group also, as Oxford Ferret Rescue has many ferrets still in need of forever homes.

Please take a look at these precious babies and let Claudia know if you can welcome any of them into your family.

Below I've listed the latest of the adoptable ferrets with brief information on each, but please check this link groups.yahoo.com/group/oxfordferretrescue/photos/album/2067227995/pic/list so you can see pictures and complete information on these absolutely adorable babies!

Sable is actually a BEAUTIFUL silver ferret that is about 2 years old.

Rice is a darling dark-eyed white (DEW) little girl who is about 4. She is on pred for insulinoma and doing great.

Charlie is a stunning 3 year old light silver boy who came in with Petunia, one of the most beautiful and unusual ferrets I've ever seen. Petunia is a champagne panda mitt and is 2 years old. Their owner was called overseas.

Petunia is a champagne panda mitt and is 2 years old. She's one of the most beautiful and unsual ferrets I've ever seen. Petunia came in with Charlie, a stunning 3 year old light silver boy. Their owner was called overseas.

Princess is a sweet little lady whose owner has cancer. She was given to the woman, and I'm guessing her age to be about 3. She gets along great with others.

Bailey and Kahlua were born 11/08. A lady in Delaware backed out of wanting these two cute girls. They are cute as a button and get along with everyone!! Their owners are moving to California.

Again, all are ADV-blood tested negative and current on all vaccines.

Thank you for supporting the ferrets and Oxford Ferret Rescue!!

[Angie]

Also one never to forget about the elders and sick that just break my heart! Here is where you can find info about those needing sponsors or how to help!

Oxford Ferret Rescue has many ferrets that are on two and sometimes three medicines a day, most of the time twice a day for various medical reasons. The cost of these medicines is astronomical on a monthly basis.

If you are unable to offer your home to one of these sweet little ones at this time, won't you please consider becoming a sponsor for one or more to help with the this monthly expense.

Below is a link to the "Ferrets in Need of Sponsorships" folder. We'll be updating this folder as needed for those ferrets who could really use your help as a sponsor.

You can click on their pictures to get some information on these little ones.

groups.yahoo.com/group/oxfordferretrescue/photos/album/558715656/pic/list

Thank you for supporting the ferrets and Oxford Ferret Rescue!!

[Angie]

We are selling YANKEE CANDLES!!!!
These are the same candles you get in the store but Yankee Candle
will give 40% of everything we sell to the rescue!!!!!


Both Claudia and myself have the brochures and we will be glad to mail them
to anyone who would like to sell or buy. Or you can pick them up from me or Claudia. I am looking into if items are purchased from those who are far away if they can be shipped directly to them or if they still need to be picked up here in Pennsylvania or Maryland.


This is actually the fall/winter catalog so all their new fragrances are in this
catalog with their new Christmas pieces and scents!


We sold Yankee Candles last year and it was a huge hit! Yankee Candles
are the best candles with the greatest scents and now you can buy them and
money goes to the rescue!!!


These candles make great gifts for teachers, friends, relatives and of course
yourself. So please get a brochure or you can look online and decide what
you would like then contact me and I can give you the prices and fill your order
out for you. Anything you buy will help Claudia and the ferrets in her care.


Here is the link to the catalog!


www.yankeecandlefundraising.com/fallCatalog.html




I know it seems like we are always having some sort of fund raiser or
trying to find a way to make money for rescue but as you all know
ferrets are so expensive and they get so sick. Claudia has so many old
and sick ferrets that require lots of vet care and lots of medicine.
She recently took in 7 ferrets in 1 week!!!! Two of them are returns
from a previous adopter and they are over 6!!!! She also has
some great adoptables so if you are looking to add to your ferret
family please let her know!


Again, thanks for always helping Claudia raise money for the care of
all the many ferrets in her care because without her where would these
ferrets be???

Angie

[tiedyed69peace]

Angie, keep me updated on shipping the candles. I'd love to sell. Otherwise, I'll at least buy

[Angie]

I will let you know as soon as I know something. I hope to find out by tomorrow.

Angie

[Angie]

Okay candles can be shipped. All the orders will arrive to Lisa ([e-mail]), and she would be willing to re-ship them via USPS flat rate box or however is cheaper. If you would like a catalog and order form shipped to you contact myself (Angie) or lisa at above e-mail and we will see one gets right out!

Here is her exact e-mail -
The orders would be shipped to me. Each person has a box that has all their items in it. The only big problem I see is that I would then have to reship that box to the person who needs the order. We would have to charge shipping for that but other than that it is very doable!

So we would need the person who is selling to charge a small amt for shipping for each person that they sell to so we can cover the shipping on their order.

I dont think its hard at all. We can send her an order form and book. No problem. So maybe have her charge $2 or 3 per person for shipping? Depending on how many orders she thinks she will get.

Angie

[tiedyed69peace]

When would the candles be in for pickup? I might even be able to pick them up. Not sure. I know that sometime in the fall I'm going to visit my friend who lives in Chambersburg, PA. I could possibly pick them up then. That would avoid an issues with shipping.

[Angie]

Orders are Due 8/16 and Candles come in about 1 week later. I would be happy to meet you part way to deliver as well.

Angie

[tiedyed69peace]

hmm I won't be in Chambersburg that early...

I have a lot going on this next two months... Let me mull it over about whether or not I can do the sale... I don't want to commit and then find that I can't pick the stuff up. I'm unsure if most of my buyers would pay for extra shipping. Normally, I don't mind paying it myself, but the candles will be heavy, and I'd be concerned about glass breaking too.

Like I said before though, I'm definitely in for a purchase at least though.

[Angie]

Hello everyone! Candle sale finishes up next week 23rd. Raffle still has a few more weeks and the emergencies just keep happening. Claudia just got in 5 6+ year olds and this morning Trouble (foster of mine) was straining to pee. In addition she has a BEAUTIFUL little girl awaiting a speenectomy. Please consider buying even a few raffle tickets to help with these kids care.

Angie

[Angie]

Every time our family goes away for a couple of days I always sleep better knowing that Claudia of Oxford ferret rescue is there to help take care of our fur kids!!! This past week I got the opportunity to return the favor. Claudia got a rare opportunity to go home and spend some much needed time with her family back home in Pittsburgh and Wolf was working on completing the renovations to what will be the new home for them and Oxford Ferret Rescue! Therefore some of the many special needs kids needed a place to stay for a few days. Myself and some of the volunteers who are great with special needs kids got to spend quality time with some of the shelter kids. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you some of their stories so you might get a chance to understand what the rescue and Claudia do for these kids every day and the second chance they are given because of the rescue!

Unfortunately some of them I didn't get pictures of:
Stacey Ann. Wow this little girl tore at my heart!!!! Those little oldsters just have a way of breaking ones heart. Then you throw in she is a Champagne girl and those of you who know me know that you know my heart is just a pool of jelly! She was such a sweetie and not a bit of trouble! She is an Older girl, I think Claudia thought around 8+. She is on 8 syringes of medicine 2X every day and supplemental feedings during the day. Currently she has a severe heart problem, recently had a HUGE liver cyst surgery, Insulinoma, adrenal disease, some potty issues, and a cyst/polyp in her ear. Even with all that she is just the sweetest little girl, gives kisses, and has a look of a very wise older lady! She took each one of her meds with beauty and grace not spitting a one out! Some of them don't taste so good trust me! She is not giving up now or ever! She doesn't like others so she had her own play time at my house. During each time she would march around my play room as if on a mission, Sniff in some of the cages, move a few toys around, grab a quick bite from the food and water bowls that were out in the room, then find a nice snuggly place to curl up for bed. Whew that was a lot of work! Stacey arrived at Oxford after another shelter (not ferret) called saying they had an adrenal ferret that someone needed to come get. Claudia agreed and went to pick her up! Well she was older, but NOT adrenal at the time! She had a full beautiful coat and was showing no adrenal symptoms. Later in her life she would however develop adrenal disease. Over the time Stacey has been at Oxford she has developed the diseases mentioned above. She has had surgery, implants, x-rays, lots of bloodwork, lots of medications, and a whole lot of love and care she has bonded with Claudia! Currently Stacey is on Diazoxide (about $20 a month), Heart Medications (about $20 a month), Antibiotics (about $5 a month), prednisolone (about $5 a month). She also needs supplemental feedings with A/D and Chicken Soup, and bloodwork to check her liver and kidney values as these can be affected by her meds every 6 weeks. She will be going in to visit Dr. Gold next week to look at options with the ear issues. Stacey really could use a sponsor and distance friends with prayers!

Belle and Mollie:

Thought I would share the ones that grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go first so here's the adorable kids story. These two babies (about 8 months) are so special! Don't be overcome by their cuteness yet! They need a lot of understanding and a VERY ferret friendly foster home with patience as well as medical knowledge while Mollie continues to recover. See they both came in having never had the experiences that every ferret should have especially babies!!! They weren't allowed out to play and run, have ferretone or other treats, and most of all hadn't been shown how to play and love gently!!! Mollie has been one VERY VERY sick little girl, but is full of life and fighting hard to recover!!! Claudia shared even in the oxygen tent she would move the food bowl around and was very alert and playful! During her illness she was in an oxygen tent for nearly a week on SEVERAL medications and needing round the clock care! Most of the staff and Dr's at the clinic thought that more than likely she wouldn't make it and the bill was getting huge for this little girl! Claudia knew she had to give this girl a chance to be a ferret! I am so GLAD she did! Mollie was only out of the hospital a few days before coming to stay with me! She has a long road to recovery, but is getting better day by day! During this time in the hospital Mollie learned to get over most of her fear biting issues and she was even giving me kisses while at my house! Did I mention these girls stole my heart! I got to spend lots of time with her loving on this little girl! She will be recovering from her illness for a very long time and may have lasting respiratory issues. During her illness she lost about 120 grams as you can imagine that is a whole lot for a little baby during a time she should be growing like a weed! She still is having trouble eating and breathing at the same time and has to be monitored closely for wheezing, respiration changes, coughing, and color changes. My husband laughed each time I would get up and check on her at night. Supplemental feedings have to be done very very slowly with lots of patience and love! We have to listen to her respiration rate to make sure she doesn't get overly wheezy while eating! Currently she is on 4 medications while she is recovering part of which have to be compounded. Oh and BTW she hates them all even he Zithromax that smells incredible! I want to take it!!! Mollie has a very bonded friend Belle a BEAUTIFUL silver mitt. Belle is with her constantly and loves Mollie. As I said they never had the chance to experience most of the things a baby ferret should. So even things like sharing a gently scritch on the tummy, ferretone on the tummy, play, petting, and shaking of toys are threatening and can cause fear. Belle is not VICIOUS!!! She does not come running from across the cage and bite and she does not mean to hurt just because. Katie and I spent lots of time with her that she was dancing and playing and didn't bite or even try. She licked chicken off my finger as she investigated Mollies feedings. However when something new happens or she gets fearful she reacts with her teeth. I can prove it after getting a little too confident! I thought I would clip her nails for Claudia while she was here. I rolled her over on her back something she doesn't like anyways and put a little tone on her tummy. I found out real quick she hadn't ever experienced that! Her tail bushed and before I knew it my fingers were in her mouth! Ouch! Chalk that up to learning to understand each other! Katie later had a similar experience playing with her and trying to give her a belly scritch! Belle just needs a lot of understanding about what makes her fearful and patience as she learns to trust humans! She also needs her best friend Mollie! Mollie will need ongoing medical care and they both need a lot of understanding and love!!!!

Bella - Another sweetie! She is a DEW and a big girl! Her family was at first going to put her to sleep when they were overwhelmed with the diagnosis of insulinoma. They were sure they couldn't figure out how to get her meds twice a day and on time. They agreed instead to surrender her to the shelter. She has insulinoma and Claudia is having a hard time keeping it controlled even with pred and diazoxide. Bella needs her meds 2 X a day right on schedule and feedings in between. She had to be watched carefully to make sure no symptoms show up. Bella can crash VERY quickly and has done so in the past. You sure don't have to ring the dinner bell more than once though. She shows right up for her feedings and if she doesn't it's time to worry! Talk about PERFECT litter box training! Bella is another girl that just hasn't found a friend she likes so she was by herself. However she did like rattle toys! I couldn't figure out at first who was putting all the eggs and rattles on the bottom of the FN. Then I watched. She was piling them up under the Ferret nation to take back to bed with her while she was out!

I was one of I think 5 volunteers that helped take care of only a portion of the shelter kids this weekend and I was exhausted when they went home. I can't imagine all that Claudia does every day!


Lastly there were the visitors. Yes they do have names, but I don't want to share their story and names as they are not shelter kids. However I do want to share just a little bit as it relates to Claudia. As I said above Many many times when our family has gone away Claudia has stepped up to help out with the kids. I have also called her stuck in traffic to give meds or called her with a stubborn cat that just won't take his meds for the arranged cat sitter and she always helps out! I can always call her in an emergency and she is always there. She has supported me through medical care, fur kid sitting, loss of fur kids, and much more. There is never a moments hesitation. In this case a dear friend called and said his Mom was ill and he needed someone to look after his special needs kids while he was away tending to her needs. Without a second thought about her own trip Claudia went and picked up the kids and made sure they were taken care of! Claudia doesn't know the word no and always has the best for the fur kids in her heart. Just like when the odds were stacked against Mollie she said we got to give her a chance, she does this day in and day out! She is a cherished friend and an incredible shelter Mom!

Angie

[Angie]

Fundraisers planned for Oxford from their newsletter:
We hope you had a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.


We would like to start out the year with a bang!!!


We have planned some really great fund raisers and get togethers.


Our Jan. fund raiser will be a popcorn sale!!!!
www.popcornpalace.com/
We sold this popcorn last year and it is delicious!!!! It is made when
we order it, so its never sitting around waiting to ship. It really was
the freshest, tastiest popcorn I have ever eaten!!!!
We will run this fund raiser till Feb. 2, 2011. I will need your orders
and money by that date. The popcorn should be in within 2 weeks
after I place the orders. I can mail you a brochure or you can look online.
We are selling almost all the flavors they have.


In Feb. we will be bowling for the ferrets!!!
It will be Feb. 13, 2011 from 2-4pm at Brunswick Newark Bowling Lanes in the
Newark Shopping Center in Newark, De.
More info to follow.
We will probably have a snow date so look for more info next week.


In March we will be selling Easter Candy!!!
We sold this candy last year and it was excellent. It is a local company that has
been in business for many many years.
Log Cabin Candy is in Fallston Md. So we order and they make our candy and
then we pick it up. So order all your Easter candy from us. We will have
it in time for Easter! Just let me know if you would like a brochure. I will have
a number of them at bowling.


In April we are planning on having the Blessing of the Animals again.
More info to come.


And in May is our yearly auction fund raiser.
Mark your calendars for May 21, 2011.


We have alot planned over the next 5 months and we hope you can
participate in some or all of our fund raisers. The bill at Chadwell is almost
$4000 so we need to raise as much money as we can to pay this bill off.
The ferrets really need our help!!


Let me know if you need a brochure. And let me know how many
will be attending bowling.
Thanks for all you do to help Claudia and all the ferrets!!!!

[Angie]

Hello everyone!!!! Claudia asked that I pass on a HUGE HUGE Thank you for the support of the raffle!!!! Thanks to the raffle 3 kids got desorilin implants, all of the medication bill for April was paid and an splenectomy surgery was paid for!!!! Thank you again!!!!!

Also I wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming fun!!!!

May 21st is the date for our annual family day fundraiser. The festivities begin at 12 noon. We will have food, games, raffles,dj, music, fellowship, and a live auction to begin approx. 3:30. Raffles are set to be drawn at 1:30 and 2:30.

Check the website main page, under home tab, for the links to our Live Auction-non ferret items, Live auction ferret items, and both raffle listings. In those areas we have pictures posted and descriptions of each item.

If you are not able to attend the event, and still want to help us raise funds for the kids at the shelter, you can. Follow instructions below

Raffles…….Tickets are $1 each……paypal money to [e-mail] with info. (name, raffle hour, item #, item description, addy incase you win, email addy)….I will email you with verification that I have received your money and information.

Live auctions……email me at [e-mail] with info. (name, auction #, auction description, and your MAXIMUM amount you want to bid for the item) I will be your proxy bidder for the items you choose and will notify you after the event, if you bid was high enough to win the item. I will let you know how much the item went for and will ship when money is received for the items. You are responsible for shipping charges also.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (Dee Bickling…[e-mail] or Claudia Johnson…[e-mail])

Thanks in advance for helping us raise funds for all the furr kids in the shelter. They need your help!!!!!!!



Visit www.oxfordrescue.org/2011/04/24/may-21st-family-fun-day-fundraiser/ for more information.

[Angie]

May 21, 2011
It will be here soon!!! It is a day filled with food, fun, friends
and all the money raised will pay for all the vet care for all
the ferrets in Claudia's care!!!


Don't forget about the photo contest. Email your picture(s) to
Doreen and hopefully your picture will win!


Also, we need cakes and pies for our cake walk. If you can
bring something please let me know. You can make something
or buy it. We appreciate anything you can bring.


I also wanted to mention a small fund raiser we are
having this Sat. May 7, 2011. We are having a car
wash at the Bubb Insurance Company, 70 E Forest Ave
in Shrewsbury, Pa. They have graciously allowed us
to use their parking lot and water for free!! So if you
need your car washed please stop by or if you can
help wash cars please let me know asap.


We will also be having a Blessing of the Animals
in July. Denett's (from Chadwell) mom will be blessing
your animals for a donation to the rescue. Dr Gold has
also graciously allowed us again to use the clinic for
the blessings! Many of the girls from the clinic including
Dr. Haskin will be making all kinds of items for us to
sell to raise money for Claudia. I will be sending
more information in my next email so look for it!!!!


Thanks again to everyone for helping Claudia and
all the ferrets at Oxford Ferret Rescue. And if you are
looking to add to your ferret family Claudia has a number
of adoptables!!!!!


Posted from Newsletter - by Angie

[Angie]

A message from Claudia:

Much has been going on in my life recently and I promise to get an update out ASAP. I FINALLY moved into the new house 2 weeks ago!


This past Monday, as I was leaving for work, I got a call from the Delaware Humane Association in Wilmington. A ferret had just been brought in and he was in really bad shape per the director. Two phone calls to the closest volunteers were made and Bonita ended up taking a half day vacation just so she could pick him up and bring him to Chadwell, if needed. Sure enough, she called to say that he was a skeleton, had terribly swollen feet and was having trouble breathing. I had decided that I would only go so far with treatment and held my breath till he got to work. All my rational thoughts went out the window as soon as I saw him. Tamie (Dr. Haskin) did a quick exam - temp was 106.3!!!!!!!!! I took a quick xray which showed no heart disease. While shaving his leg for the I.V. catheter, pus came oozing out of his poor little toes. We had him on an ice pack and towel and his temp soon returned to normal. We began I.V. fluid and antibiotics. The bloodwork was normal except he was very anemic. AND THEN I started thinking about the recent outbreaks of distemper on both coasts and we grabbed our books. Not all the signs were there, but he went into isolation and we had already disinfected everything. I was trying to put up a wall because I was already SOOOO attached. The next am he was eating well and his temp remained normal. With each day on fluids and meds, he improved so that threat of distemper should be gone.


What this experience (and those of the other shelters) has done for me is to rethink my vaccination protocol. I haven't been vaccinating older ferrets or ferrets that are on meds. I will now be giving a series of 2 distemper vaccines 3-4 weeks apart to new arrivals.


I was able to bring Porkchop home after 5 days on fluids and hospital care. He is eating dry food now and is tired of being in a cage. His ADV test came back negative a few days! Let me explain how he got his name. He was found outside (which added to my distemper scare) by a very caring lady. She cooked him a porkchop - thus the name! This was much better than the lettuce and fruit that he was fed the short time he was at the Humane Society that am. Please take a moment to look at his pics!



PS: I'm sure he recovered so well because he was sleeping in Steeler bedding - thanks Leslie!!

Angie











The Blessing of the Animals this year will be dedicated to the recent and ongoing care for Porkchop.
So please if you cant make the blessing we can accept a donation with the name of your pet(s) and
we will have Rev. Lee say a blessing for your animal. You can paypal your donation to:
[e-mail]
Please mark this as a donation and email us the name of your pet.


July 10, 2011
Chadwell Animal Hospital
3004 Emmorton Road
Abingdon, MD 21009
2-5pm


We will have lots of things for sale. Crafts, baked good and much more.