Consider adding a rescued ferret to your own family.
By Jennifer Hayes: Best Friends NetworkThings are looking up for Sally Jo, since she was found last month with a companion on the side of the road. They were taken to Town Lake Animal Center, who contacted Connie Gaddy of Ferret Waystation, the only ferret rescue organization in the Austin area. Unfortunately, Sally Jo’s friend was too ill to treat, but Sally Jo came through. Despite her advanced seven years of age, adrenal disease, and grief over the loss of her companion, she persevered and actually flourished under Gaddy’s care. So much so, that Sally Jo caught the eye of an adopter and will be heading to her new home next week.
Though popular pets, ferrets are often overlooked in the rescue community and according to Gaddy, there are many misconceptions about the animals themselves, including:
Ferrets spray like a skunk – Most ferrets have their anal glands removed at the breeder. Those that have not been de-scented, expel a smelly odor, not a liquid, much like passing gas which dissipates quickly.
Ferrets are rodents – Ferrets are actually in the weasel family. They are carnivores that eat rodents in the wild. They are not able to reproduce with rodents and most are already spayed or neutered at the breeder, prior to being sold.
Ferrets should live in cedar wood shavings – Actually wood shavings remove the natural oils off of a ferret’s fur, which causes it to dry out. It can also cause respiratory issues. Instead, it is suggested to use various forms of fabric mats, sleep sacks, hammocks, and even old t-shirts. It is recommended that all bedding is tacked down, as ferrets like to rearrange their “furniture.”
Ferrets generally live for eight to ten years. Like dogs, they must receive rabies and distemper vaccinations annually. Since they are obligate carnivores, a quality high protein diet is needed, and while they can eat meat, commercially made ferret food is available and can be supplemented with “Duck Soup” (see recipe at the end of the article). They should not be fed sugar, fruit or vegetables, which may get lodged in their intestines, and is also thought to lead to insulinoma, a common disease which causes an increased insulin level.
Ferrets are very social, not only with people, but other ferrets. Multiples are recommended and they tend to form strong bonds with one another. They are intelligent, inquisitive, and mischievous and can accomplish tasks such as opening cabinet doors. Once they learn how to do something, they can become very determined and areas must be made “ferret-proof” where they are allowed to roam. Many toys and tunnels are recommended for an enriched environment. As Gaddy says, a ferret is “like having a child with the curiosity of a two-year old, with the smarts of a ten-year old.”
It was only six years ago that the Gaddy family was introduced to the world of ferrets. When her son’s dog passed away, they went to the pet store to look for a guinea pig. While there, they were intrigued by an animal shelter hosting a satellite adoption that included a ferret. After leaving the store, the little fellow stuck in their minds until they went to the shelter to adopt him, arriving only one hour prior to his scheduled euthanization. It was only a matter of time before another rescued ferret and then many others were added to the household. Due to her love and dedication to ferrets, when the former Director of Ferret Waystation moved to Hawaii, she asked Gaddy to take over the rescue.
Gaddy now has ten ferrets of her own, in addition to the 12-15 rescues at any time. Since there are no other rescues in the area, many local shelters contact her when one comes in. When there is space available, she also accepts relinquishments from the public. In the 1 ½ years that she has been Director of Ferret Waystation, she has had about 150 adoptions. While she highly recommends them as companion animals, she says, “Ferrets are fun and a great joy to have around, but they require time, devotion, and the willingness to have a proverbial two-year old for seven to eight years.”
Since Ferret Waystation is run out of her home, her family maintains all the animals and there are no fosters. However, donations are always welcome. She has also become a distributor of ferret food and products, not only to provide supplies, but also to sell to the public with proceeds to go to help fund the rescue.
Often, people buy a cute little ferret kit at the pet store on impulse without thinking about the responsibility. Store employees rarely know how to keep a ferret healthy and have been known to dispense incorrect advice. However, ferrets require affection and attention in addition to proper health care; they can not be thrown into a cage and forgotten. Unfortunately, many end up being sold or relinquished to a shelter because of a lack of time or the kids lose interest.
Gaddy stresses that ferrets are a pet for the whole family, including children, but that a proper match must be made, just like adopting a cat or dog. Those people who discover the fun of a ferret companion generally realize that one is not enough. Says Gaddy, “You just can not have a bad day when these guys are around.”
For more information: •
Ferret Waystation – Austin area rescue
• Other Texas Ferret Rescues:
Texas Ferret Lover’s Rescue – Dallas/Ft. Worth,
Forever Homes Wanted Ferret Rescue-Houston , and
SAFE: San Antonio Area Ferret Enthusiasts•
Ferret Lovers Club of Texas•
The American Ferret Association•
Best Friends: Ferret Links•
Ferret Friends US•
Ferretstock is the annual ferret lovers get together at Rocky’s Ferret Rescue and Shelter in Parkton, Maryland.
• Gaddy recommends the book,
Ferrets for Dummies by Kim Schilling for people who are considering the adoption of a ferret.
How you can help:• Make a
monetary donation to Ferret Waystation, checks can be mailed direct or tax deductible donations can be made to
Save Our Shelters and be sure to note it is for Ferret Waystation in Texas.
• Ferret Waystation can always use additional Clorox wipes, bleach, and pine or newspaper based litter.
• Purchase
ferret items and food from Ferret Waystation to help finance the rescue.
• In addition to a full time job, Connie Gaddy spends her time caring for, receiving in, and adopting out ferrets. She could use assistance if someone wanted to volunteer to write grants on behalf of Ferret Waystation.
Connie Gaddy’s Basic Recipe for “Duck Soup”:Duck soup was named not because the recipe contains duck, but in honor of a ferret named Duck, whose life was prolonged due to this lifesaving meal.
Ingredients:8-10 chicken thighs
Container of chicken livers
1 cup of quality high protein ferret food
Boil the thighs and livers together on low. When done, soak the dry food in the broth, while removing the meat from the bones. Once the kibble has softened, blend the meat, softened food, and remaining broth together to create thick gravy. Freeze the gravy mix in ziplock bags or ice cube trays, depending on your number of ferrets.
This mixture is almost pure protein and can be used as a food supplement and is particularly good for ferrets who are sick or recovering from surgery. All of Gaddy’s ferrets are fed this every other day and it can be fed two to three times a day to ferrets with insulinoma (along to access to regular food). This recipe is designed for Gaddy’s large number of ferrets. She estimates that this recipe would last four to six weeks for someone with only a couple ferrets, depending on how often it is given to them.
There are many variations of this recipe, for more see the
Houston Area Ferret Association,
Ferret Health Care,
Hugawoozel.com and
Wuzzles.com websites.
Photos: taken by Jennifer Hayes.
Lead Photo: Sally Jo, the seven year old rescue who just found her forever home.
Photo #2: Ferret Waystation Director, Connie Gaddy, receives some loving.
Photo #3: Always inquisitive, ferrets much check out everything in their environment.
Photo #4: Having some fun during play time.
Photo #5: Luke strikes a pose for the camera.
Photo #6: Leia pops out of a toy.