On behalf of all the fur kids in this shelter,

I would like to explain some of the things that go on here.


Cages


Each cage has a number and name plate(s) with picture I.D. on it.

Doing this has a dual purpose:

1) It helps me keep track of who gets out next plus it identifies the ferrets in one stroke on a

sheet of paper should I need to count heads for Missing In Action (MIA) fur kids.

2) it provides backup in the event something should happen to me and I was unable to care for my shelter for a day or two.

Someone could come in and know when and where each ferret belongs.

The Pink sacks hanging on each cage are fire escape sacks.

Each sack is numbered to match the cage number.

The sack has a zipper at the top to close the ferrets in should they need to be tossed out the window in the event of a fire.


Identification


Each cage is the living quarters for the ferret(s) that have come to this shelter.

If they come in as cage-mates (multiples living together,) they will never be split from one another if it can be helped.

Ferrets stress easily, especially when they have been removed from the home they have always known.

Now that they have a new home, smells, schedule and human, stress is a real concern.

These changes are a lot to take in for one little body.

Here at this shelter we do all we can to keep the little fur kids from stressing themselves to the point of becoming ill.

We request from the original owner as much of the ferrets’ own belongings as possible.

Their food and water are essential, as is bedding if possible.

The shelter would like the cage but most generally it is not donated.


Cage Equipment


Each cage gets at least one hammock and one house for sleeping (sleep box).

The number of hammocks and houses relates directly to the number of ferrets in a cage.

Each house gets a blanket – we use yard sale baby receiving blankets.

Note: all multi-level cages- have one large hammock in the middle so that if the ferret falls, the hammock will break their fall.

All floors are covered with tile plus a rug. The rugs are shower mats that can be removed and washed frequently.

Each cage gets at least one water bottle with a dish under it (all water bottles leak) and one food dish.

The cages with multiple ferrets will get more than a single dish of food and water.

The food and water dishes are kept full at all times.

Most of my fur kids drink out of a dish but to be sure no one runs out of water,

they have access to the water bottle as well.

Note: all food and water dishes are kept away from the bathroom area.

Most cages have a floor above the sleeping box for the food and water dishes,

so that they are away from the litter box/poop papers.

This keeps the litter from getting in the water dish and the food and water out of the litter boxes.


Run time


Ferrets need a minimum of 4 hours a day out of the cage to run and play.

I do my best to make sure each cage gets at least that amount of time out.

I have eight areas that I can let the ferrets run and play:

The Ferret room, Play room, Playpen, Kitchen, Dinning room area, The Library and the Side Porch.

(When the weather permits)

Our day starts at 4:30 a.m.

Some Cage groups are limited to where they can go because they love to climb; therefore,

the ferret room and play room are not good play areas for them.

They start in the playpen for one hour.

Cage #2 gets the down stairs bathroom.

Cage #3 porch.

Cage #4 gets the kitchen and dinning area.

Cage #5 gets the playroom so on and so on.

So that each cage group gets time in each area, every hour (I have a timer set)

this changes and the groups get moved to a different area.

There are a total of 27 cages. During the times I am boarding, the boarders' will be gotten up first from the separate room

they are boarded in, this is mostly for my benefit I will not forget to get them up this way,

they will be worked into our daily cycle of out time. This system gives each group of ferrets a total

of 4 hours (+) out of the cage.

We do this until my bedtime around 8:30 p.m.

There are groups that get to spend the night up in the playrooms all night

because they can be trusted to be out of their cage.


Daily cleaning


After each cage group has been placed in the area they will play in, I clean the cage,

litter box, litter papers if they use them and make sure all the bedding is clean and fresh.

Water bottles are checked to be sure that they are full.

If they need refilling, they are replaced with a clean bottle.

All dishes under the water bottle are emptied, washed and fresh water is added.

Food dishes are filled.

If the dish is completely empty, they too are removed, washed and replaced with clean fresh dishes.

This is done first thing in the morning and again at night.

As I clean the cage I will remove any of the cage pads, blankets, and hammocks that are soiled.

Laundry is a daily job at the shelter.

Most of the odor that people complain about is from the blankets, hammocks and rugs in the cage.

Washing them frequently helps to keep the odor under control.

Baths are NOT done here, bathing only causes the ferrets to produce more oil for their skin

so they will begin to smell even stronger with each bath!


Boarding


We board ferrets to help with the cost of medical expences incurred by the shelter

and because ferrets are a bit more complicated to care for than the average pet.

When we have boarders with us, they assume the roll count and become part of the rotation we are operating in at the time.

They get the same out time that the shelter kids get in the same places, though NOT at the same time.

We do not allow any of the boarders or shelter kids to mingle.

I take great care to keep them apart as it could very likely cause them to stress

to the point of needing medical attention.

Ferrets have a pecking order; they will bully any new ferret that comes in.

Boarders do not need to acclimate so we do not allow them

to be in any area a shelter kid is in at the same time.


How to sponsor a ferret


After choosing the ferret you want to sponsor the next step is to choose

the amount you want to sponsor the ferret for.

This shelter has no minimum requirement so your monthly

payment can be what you feel you can afford.

Once you have chosen the ferret and the amount you intend

to send, you contact the shelter with this information

and I will go from there. The shelter will then send you, what I call sponsor

coupons, with the name of the ferret, the amount of

monthly income, date and coupon number.

It is very important for the shelter to get your signature

on this coupon and have it sent with your payment.

(It keeps the government happy).

Now that is done I will go into the Web page and put that

your ferret now has a sponsor. I do not name names, but I do put the town and state you

are from under the ferret’s name.

You will receive a biography letter from your sponsored ferret.

The sponsor money that comes in for each ferret each month helps to support your ferret.

It will cover medical expenses if needed, medicine, or food.

What ever the shelter is in need of at the time.

Our sponsor program helps to make it possible for me to

get the medical attention to each and every ferret whenever they need it.


Shelter Wish List


 Receiving blankets 

 Old sheets or blankets 

 Flannel sheets (they can be made into small blankets) 

 Toys (stuffed animals, balls ) 

 Treats i.e.Cheweasels, foamy fries, Ferretone, chicken treats 

 Donations on the Lakeroad Ferret Farm's (Brenda Johnson) account at the Brockport Animal Hospital 

 Empty pop cans , bottles for return 

 Laundry soap ( I do a minimum of three loads of laundry a day) 

 Play time human friends to come play with the fur kids 

 Pooper scooper help 

 Sponsors for the shelter kids that are unable to go live in a permant home. 

 Clear plastic trash bags (kitchen basket size or larger) 

 News papers 

 Paper towels 

 Bungee cords 

 Cleansers 

 Scrubbies 

 Rubbermaid "type" bins 

 Postage Stamps 

 Envelopes 

 Copy/printer paper 

 A package of Sharpie brand markers 

 Clorox wipes 

 Phone card I do not have long distance capabilities 



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