Legalizing Ferrets In California

Ferrets have been banned in California since 1932 when the Fish and Game declared the ferret a wild animal.

Legalizeferrets.org has been working hard to get the ban lifted. Just recently the California Fish and Game listened to those that supported lifting the ban and the few who wished to keep the ban in place. While the meeting ended with the ban staying in place.

The new president, Eric Sklar, is willing to keep hearing about getting ferrets legalized but he has suggested that we work towards getting a bill on to the legislative floor.

The lifting of this ban would allow ferret outlaws (owners) to be able to have their pets without fear of losing them. As it stands now once a ferret is known about the owner has 24-48 hours to get to their ferret out of the state otherwise the ferret would be euthanized. At least the ferret owner has a chance to rescue their pet, unlike some BLS laws that just remove and kill without reason.

Between the entertainment industry and the media, ferrets are portrayed as wild and evil creatures. The sensationalizing of events involving a ferret sometimes is more than when the media report on a dog attack but say it is the result of a pit bull when in many cases that wasn't the breed involved.

Here are just a few facts about ferrets.

1. Ferrets have been domesticated for over 3000 years.

2. Ferrets do not do well in temperatures over 68 degrees (20 celsius)

California can get over 100 degrees (37.7 Celsius) in the summer.

3. Ferrets do not do well in temperatures under 30 degrees (1.1 Celsius)

4. The only ferret in the Wild in the USA is the Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) who is actually a cousin to the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

5. Ferrets are related to the weasel, otter, and mink. People that say they have seen a wild ferret more than likely have seen a mink.

6. Ferrets are NOT rodents. They were domesticated to hunt rodents and rabbits.

7. Ferrets are the third most owned companion pet in the US after cats and dogs.

8. Ferrets are known as domesticated exotics. This differs from the standard exotic animal which is often taken from the wild. Exotic means unusual or different. See #1

9. Ferrets can get heartworms and it only takes one to kill them.

10. Ferrets live on average 7-10 years.

11. Ferrets can be vaccinated against rabies and distemper.

I am asking that all of my followers write letters to the California State Senate and the State Assembly via email urging them to legalize ferrets. Granted there are nearly 400 representatives with these combined lists but if we can get every one of them on the ferret owners side then just maybe a bill will be created and passed allowing ferrets to live openly in California and also open up to those of us with ferrets to visit California. Both options will add more money to the economy of California.


You can view some of the meeting here

Please Help Us Become Legal in California

Peek A Boo… I see you! Pet Finder's Less Adoptable Pet's Week

 

Well I guess having a name is better than a number but really what kind of name is Peek A Boo   for a boy?

So I can only say that I am playing the game Peek-A-Boo for now in Pittsburgh, PA and I would really like a good boy’s name along with a forever home.

I know there isn’t much about me okay there isn’t anything about me on the site and my picture isn’t the best.

I am sure all you ferret hooman recognize the maneuver that I am doing. Hey when ya gotta go ya gotta go.

So are you the hooman for me to play great games with like hide the sock, where’s the carpet shark, and hide and seek? I promise I’ll let you win once in awhile and reward you with lots of ferrety kisses.

I’ll also entertain you with my special weasel war dance moves that are designed to make you laugh.

If you or someone you know is looking for a special little boy to love in or around the Pittsburgh area won’t you let them know about me?

Thanks

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret.

The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Pet Finder Less Adoptable Pet Week: A Girl For All Seasons

Hi My name is Summer   and I am a 2 year old Dark Eyed White (DEW) girl. Right now I am calling New Arlington, NJ home until we can find the right forever hooman for me.

You see I need to find just the right hooman this time cause my first hooman spoiled me wif all these yummy sweet snacks and now I have something called Insulinoma. Once I was diagnosed wif this my first hooman took me to diz scary place called Animal Control and left me there.

I was lucky there was this really nice man there took the time to find my foster hooman’s place and she came and got me right away and while I love my foster hooman we both know I would be better off with just the right hooman of my own.

I have a sunny personality and a need for medication everyday for the rest of my life. So the perfect hooman for me knows about insulinoma and knows how to test my blood sugar so that I have a good record for the vet.

This hooman will also know how to give me my medication everyday and won’t be tricked into giving me those yummy snacks I crave.

I maybe little and have a medical condition but I have a lot of love to give to the perfect hooman. Are you that hooman?

Note: Summer is most likely on Prednisone and will need vet care more often than a ferret without insulinoma.

While Prednisone isn’t expensive finding a pharmacy that will fill a vet prescription can be time consuming. Ask your vet for a pharmacy they have dealt with before.

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret.

The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure.

Insulinoma is a type of cancer that can shorten the lives of ferrets. With that said Summer is part of this weeks less adoptable pets because 1. She is a ferret and 2. She is considered special needs. Those two items would make her harder to place with the right person but I know the right one is out there just looking for a fuzzy to love.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Pet Finder's Less Adoptable Pet Week: Bennie and the Jet

Hi all I am Jet and my buddy is Ben and he doesn’t talk much.

Sorry there aren’t any cute photos of us just of what our feet looked like when we first came to Ferrets Unlimited Rescue better known as FURS.

Our first hooman abandoned us in an apartment in Windham,OH with an iguana.

We were stuck in our cage for such a long time that we were left standing in feces.

The person who first rescued us though that it was just caked on our feet so bad then when she tried peeling some off of Ben’s feet it left them bleeding.

Ben: It hurt a lot and my feet were really swollen.

Jet: Our first rescuer realized that our care was going to be more than they could handle so they brought us here to these nice people. After being examined it was determined that it wasn’t caked on poop it was these nasty little parasites called Scabies.

Well we were immediately put on antibiotics, inflammatory meds, and pain meds, and daily soaks in a antibacterial soap.

Well Ben got the pain meds because his feet were so bad. Because of this ordeal we weren’t up for adoption until now.

We are recovered from the scabies and we’re told that ferrets don’t get them often so we shouldn’t get them again ever.

I am a bit more out going then Ben here. He is a huge fraidy cat about being out of his cage and likes to find places to hide so he can let his bottle brush tail relax.

So we need a hooman that is understanding of Ben’s fears and help him work through them.

I am a fat boy who is all ferret.

So are you the right hooman for us or know someone gentle, soft spoken, and able to deal with high energy and a trembling ball of fur? Won’t you come check out the adoption process at Ferrets Unlimited and see if we can’t come home with you.

Ben: Please?

Note: Scabies is a parasite that burrows under the skin causing extreme itching and is more common in humans. With the right treatment the reoccurrence is almost never depending on living conditions.

Disclosure: I did pick these two because of the injustice done to them while in the care of an unkind human and the fact that they have survived what had to be a very painful ordeal means they have a lot to give to the right human.

I am getting no compensation other than the fact that I may be able to help them find a forever home.

I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret.

The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure

Please pass the link on about these guys to anyone that might be interested and is the right kind of person to be their new hooman thank you.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Pet Finder's Less Adoptable Pet Week: The Juvenile delinquent

 

Yo! I am Riggs   and Iz hanging out here in Stewartville, MN whilez Iz waiting for da right boz to come hire mez. Iz a tough little guy dey found mez hiding out under sum stranger’z deck and somewherez along da way Iz lost one of mez toe nailz. No one knowz if itz gonna grow back or not. Not dat Iz miz it.

Iz young wif dem figuring Iz about 3 yearz of age and I’ve developed Adrenal disease but Iz know wif da right treatment Iz will give a lot of time to da right boz hooman.

Iz good at stealing heartz in a New York minute whilez taking yer wallet at da same time. So if youz think youz can rehabilitate mez from mez bad habitz den give dez nice folkz a call and come see mez.

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret.

The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

To those that have enjoyed posting Anomys. those days are over. I am now requireing that you at least have a name that I can respond to if the need should arise.

In references to the pictures that are on this blog this week. I am copying the url from the site its self so if the pictures are stock or owned by someone else I wouldn't know it.

With both things said. I must say that I blog about ferrets because they are my passion and those that have met me in real life know that is the truth. I am not an expert on ferrets just an owner that loves doing research to gain more knowledge that can be passed on to other.
I do reviews on different things and the opinions are always my own and at this time I get no monetary compensation for anything that is on my blog unless otherwise noted.

Pet Finder's Less Adoptable Pet Week: A Star in the Making

Hello Darlings I am Marilyn   from Missoula, MT and no there is no relation to Monroe that I know of.

I am considered one of the less adoptable pets by many because of my long sleek body and my pointed nose.

But then they do say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am looking for the right hooman to be my personal assistant.

Just like Monroe I am a beautiful girl with one little flaw my tail has lost its hair but I am sure with the right treatment from a specialist it will grow back to match my fur coat.

Won’t you help me land the role of a lifetime: Queen of Hooman’s Heart? I am not a prima Dona I love cardboard boxes of all kinds and any bag that crinkles.

I’ll eat almost any snack as long as I get plenty of exercise to run off the calories. Okay I am very particular about where I sleep but then a star has to have her beauty rest.

Won’t you apply to be my personal assistant as I am sure we would be a perfect match.

Note: Marilyn’s hairless tail maybe an indication of Adrenal Disease and should be checked out by a licensed Ferret Vet. I am not a vet but one of the symptoms of Adrenal Disease is hair loss.

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret.

The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Country Boy

 

Hi all I am Garth and right now I am calling Mason City, IA home until I can wiggle my way into the right forever hooman’s heart. I isn’t big on cats and dogs and really would prefer der wasn’t any in my new farmstead.

I knows there isn’t a lot of information about me listed other than I am a boy and I don’t care for cats and dogs but I think that is because the hoomans here are just too busy with all dem other critters to sit down and write up something about me.

At least you can see how cute I am. I maybe just a hay seed to some but I know there has to be a hooman out there that needs the complete innocence I can provide while checking out every inch of my new forever farmstead. Won’t you let them hoomans know I am waiting right here for them.

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret.

The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Jumping Jack Flash

 

Hi there my name is Jack and I am living in Stewartville, MN and I am now looking for a forever home with someone who understands a ferret who has gone through major surgery to remove an adrenal gland.

My tail is still working on getting its hair back but I am sure it will be back to being full soon.

I am easy going so I would like to be in a home where there is one or two other mellow ferrets that I could cuddle up with when I get tired from all the jumping and running I am catching up on.

The right hooman would know just I need to stay healthy and know the perfect vet to take me to when I need a checkup.

With having the diagnosis of Adrenal I really should see the vet more often than once a year just to make sure I am not having a relapse or something else show up that could become really bad fast.

Are you the right hooman for me or know the perfect one then please come/send them to check me out and see if we are the perfect match.

Note: Jack wasn’t available for adoption until after his surgery. Because he is an adrenal survivor he is listed as special needs. Ideally he should be adopted by someone who has dealt with this disease and knows the reality of his survival rate could be lessened because of the chance he could develop tumors on his remaining adrenal gland.

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret. The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure

Have a Chittering Good Day,
Jo

Texan Looking For Love

 

Howdy all! I am JJ from Austin, TX. I am looking for a new homestead to call my own as my previous hooman made a mistake of not checking with her landlord before bringing me home to live with her. Before one of ya’ll decide I am just the gal for ya’ll please make sure I can live with you without the same problem.

Now if you own your own homestead and are ready to have a rodeo of a good time then I might just be the furry gal for you. I am a small barrel racer in the disguise of a long sleek young body and I have more energy packed inside of me than a raging bull.

I just know the right cowpoke for me is out there won’t you come check me out and see if we can raise the roof together with laughter?

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets on my blog from Pet Finder or the shelter that has the featured ferret. The commentary from the point of view of each ferret is my own take on the information given or not given depending on the shelter, rescue, or society and should not be taken seriously unless noted in a note or the disclosure.

Before adopting/buying a ferret make sure he/she will be a welcome guest where you live so that others don’t have the same fate as JJ here. Know if there is an extra deposit for pets and just what pets are allowed where you live.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Be The Change: Getting a New Pet: Adopt

Today is Be The Change post day along with my birthday. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about as I have some other posts that might have gone up today but they can wait until next week.

This week I started featuring adoptable ferrets on Tuesday and Thursday and that got me to thinking about all the potential new pet owners out there.

Ferrets are in the third most owned pet category and unfortunately many get surrendered to rescues and shelters soon after they are gotten because the new owner didn’t do his/her research about ferrets. They only saw the cute little baby face in the store and had to have it.

Pet stores often don’t have information set out for the new owner to see what it might take to raise these little guys and are all to helpful in picking out the new accessories: Cage, bedding, litter, food, ect.

What is worse many of the pet store employees know nothing of ferrets and pass on bad advice/information they have gathered from others.

· Albinos are mean False a mean ferret is because he/she has been abused or isn’t feeling well

· Albinos are dumb False I’ve had albinos and they are not dumb. After asking more questions it was more likely the one they had dealt with was either deaf or blind.

· They are cage only animals False ferrets need a minimum of 2 to 4 hours a day out of their cage to be happy and healthy.

· They can eat cat food if this is to expensive True/False Cat food used to be the only food a ferret owner could easily get but research has found that it isn’t nutritional for them as the specially made ferret foods. Cat food can be used as a short term emergency food if you run out when the pet store is closed.

· They don’t need vet visits False Ferrets need Rabies/Distemper shots yearly and in some areas a heartworm preventative. Yearly visits help catch other problems early.

· They don’t have any issues due to disease, hereditary or other misinformation. False ferrets are prone to insulinoma, adrenal disease, and a long list of other diseases. Some are more prone to deafness and a few to blindness from birth.

These are a few of the statements I have heard at one pet store. I surprised them with Manny and Marcuz being well behaved and walking calmly on their leashes. They asked me a lot of questions about the ferrets they had.

One of the ferrets would always bite them when they went to clean out the cage. I asked one main question. Do you clean the cage after lunch? The answer was yes. I explained then maybe they needed to wash their hands better or use a hand sanitizer as the ferret just wanted to taste whatever they had had for lunch.

It is important that not only do the potential new owner do research before making that impulse buy about ferrets but that store employees be educated with the basic information to help eliminate these furry springs being given up because the new owner cannot/doesn’t have the time to learn/have them in their life.

Today is also Petfinder’s  Birthday and they are having a party in which they hope to have 15,000 pets adopted this weekend. If you are interested in adopting a new pet whether it be a ferret or not check their site out and see what shelter/rescue is near you.

But above all else do your research into the pet/breed you are thinking about getting. Not all pets/breeds are for everyone and why should these fur babies get left behind cause someone didn’t do his/her research?

Today I’ll highlight 5 adoptable ferrets that are new to the petfinder site. You will have to click on their picture to find out more about them.

  Rosaline from South Hadley, MA

Dweezel from Sandusky, OH

Tiki from Murphysboro, IL

Wiggles from Lahaska, PA

and lastly but not least is Sid. An Albino from Cleveland, OH

Note: Shelters and Rescues when you post on Petfinder.com it is great to add pictures but you need to give more information about these little guys. I know sometimes there isn’t any information but just putting the very basic and generic information may not help these little guys find furever homes.

Have a Chittering Good Day

Jo

Ad

Beauty Can Kill

While chatting with a bunch of likeminded pet people on Monday we were distressed to hear that a capybara that died from eating a small part of an Azalea bush. Like ferrets capybaras are exotics that many have not dealt with. You can read about the capybara here: story. The question was asked “Why don’t nurseries have warnings on toxic plants to warn pet owners.”

From the research I have done there are over 400 toxic plants to animals many are beautiful flowering plants that most of us have in our yards. A plant only has to cause some kind of upset to be put on the toxic list but many of these same plants are toxic to humans. The question then comes into play “How do we landscape our yards so they are both beautiful and safe for both our pets and our children?”
A lot of ideas were talked about during the chat and several seemed plausible and easy to do.

1.Blog about the plants indigenous to our area and link to each other’s blogs.
2.Create pdf file that can be distributed to nurseries.
3.Create a brochure for the area.
4.Talk to locally owned nurseries and see if they were willing to post a poster of toxic to pets/children plants.

If each of us did one of these four things we as a pet community could bring about a big change and maybe save the life of beloved pet whether they are a “Normal” or Exotic pet. We might even find some plants we never knew existed or help to bring back a plant native to the area we live in but the biggest reward would be the knowledge we gained from our research about potentially deadly plants that look so deceivingly beautiful.

Have a chittering good day,
Jo

2011=365 Days of Animal Advocacy!

     2010 is quickly coming to a close but what a year it was for pet people. Conferences were started just for pet bloggers, marketers, advocates, and just all around pet people. Out of these came some challenges one of which was Be The Change, An opportunity to make a difference in animal’s lives some how.

     With 2011 galloping towards us an idea has been thought up by Ash of I love Rescue Animals that is more than a one time shot it is embracing each of the 365 days of 2011. That idea is Advocacy 365. The purpose is to give rescues, shelters, animal non-profit, foundations, bloggers, or an idea that needs support and give them a chance for their message to be heard.

     All that is needed is a tee shirt from these places for the founder of I love Rescue Animals to wear each day. You can be a part of these terrific idea by sending a shirt from a project you support by first looking at the idea first hand to see just what the whole idea is by going to I love Rescue Animals 

     From what I have heard so far she has only been able to get enough tee shirts for a month. So I have decided that I am going to  give out a challenge to all those that read this blog or follow my tweets lets really make 2011 the year of the animals.

     I know that she has only requested 365 shirts but what if she was able to receive double that amount? 730 tee shirts representing animals in a good way. Think of it like this you first get to decide what animal function you support and then you donate to that cause which can be tax deductible.

     Most of these have tee shirts to buy through donations then have it sent to Ashley of I love Rescue Animals to wear. So if she is only one person why 730 tee shirts? Cause Ashley isn’t the only one behind I love Rescue Animals so two causes, foundation, blogs, or what ever animal related would be seen in a day. Let’s  help them reach their main goal of 365 tee shirts and see just how much further we can take it.

     Size needed is small adult tee shirt preferably unisex. Either leave your email in the comment section below or at I love Rescue Animals blog and Ashley will get back to you with the shipping information. I’ll be sending a tee shirt for Enlightened Ferret blog and one for the local wildlife rehabilitation Center as soon as I can.

Keep on Chittering,

Jo

Step 1 Complete.

     Many of you have heard of therapy dogs. These are pets that go to nursing homes and senior centers to visit the elderly. Cats have been added to the list and now ferrets are being allowed to join this great program.

     I wasn’t sure where to begin until I found Paws for Friendship it had all the information I needed. I emailed Jan the founder about starting a chapter of Paws for Friendship in Western Pa. I’ll let you know how that is coming along.

Step 1: Get Manny cleared by vet.

     We just got back from the vet and Manny has a clear bill of health and been vaccinated against Rabies and Distemper. He was such a good boy, even if he did slip his collar and grin at the vet.

     Manny is now a hefty 3lb boy and Dr. Doverspike was happy to help certify Manny, his first therapy ferret certification.

     Manny now has a new shiny tag that says he has had his shots. I am glad I check my paperwork before driving out of the vet’s parking lot. It had the wrong weight on it and had Manny listed as a canine. Don’t think I could pass this little monkey off as a doggy. What do you think?

Step 2: Get Approved

Need to send in the paper work and membership dues.

The boys and I are getting Gibbs’ presents and will be shipping them to him soon.

Have a Chittering good day,

Jo

It’s Official! We are Santa to Gibbs

     In a time of uncertainty and when people are starting to tighten their belts for the coming holiday madness a small speck of light shines through that is more than sparkly wrapping paper. That speck of light is the love of another being whether it be human or animal.

     Enlightened Ferret was started to help people realize that ferrets can make an awesome pet for those willing to go the lengths. It has also taught many that while they may love seeing ferret they aren’t for them beyond the occasional visit. I also wanted to help ferrets less fortunate than my own kids. I feel that I have done that with bring updates about the plight of the black-footed ferret and doing my first twitter pawty for The Heart of Ohio Ferret Rescue.

     Last year I told you about the ferret giving tree and I wanted to help them all but was unable to. This year I may not be able to help every ferret on the trees but will be able to help at least one ferret this year. His name is Gibbs and he is one of twenty-seven ferrets at Stinky Pete’s Ferret Retreat

            

     We at Enlightened Ferret are planning some great surprises for Gibbs and his shelter sibs and the caring hooman that has opened her home to these little guys that bring so much joy to those who truly understand them.

     Other surprises are in the works and as they come to fruit they will be blogged about.

Keep on Chittering,

Jo

Be the Change: Helping Those Less Fortunate

     If you have not figured it out yet I am not only a ferret owner but a ferret lover as well. I believe that we are put here for a reason. Sometimes it takes awhile for us to realize just what that reason might be.

     I now know that my reason is to help these little fuzzy clowns but correcting misconceptions and raising awareness of the many in need. Thanks to my followers both here on Enlightened Ferret and on Twitter I helped the senior ferrets at Heart of Ohio Ferret Association and last year I wrote about the Ferret Giving Tree.

     This site allows ferret shelters to post ten pictures of ten ferrets in need while giving the shelter a chance to ask for help in supporting his/her shelter. Mostly they ask for toys, cleaning supplies, and other small items.

     The pictures range from healthy ferrets to those who are sickly or have been abused. Adrenal disease is horrible to watch as it slowly robs a ferret of his/her health. The ones who have Adrenal looks like they have been abused because they are bald and have lost a lot of weight leaving their bones showing through their skin.

     Selection to be a Santa for one or more of these fuzz butts does not begin until November 1^st but I am posting a picture of Gibbs a three year old deaf boy who I am going to be Santa for and hope that the readers of Enlightened Ferret will help both Gibbs and his shelter out and any packages you send please add in care of Enlightened Ferret.com.

     I would love to help everyone of these little guys on the Ferret Giving Tree but by helping one I know I am giving back to them the love and inspiration my own have given me through the years.

                                              

Jo

Be the Change for Animals : Flying Ferrets

ac·tiv·ist –noun

1. an especially active, vigorous advocate of a cause, esp. a political cause.

–adjective

2. of or pertaining to activism or activists: an activist organization for environmental concern.

3. advocating or opposing a cause or issue vigorously, esp. a political cause: Activist opponents of the President picketed the White House.

     Until this last week I didn’t see myself as an activist but someone that helped further a cause that was already started.

     That changed when I tried to find an airline that would allow my two ferrets to travel with me. What a surprise I got. I was told that they could fly but in the cargo hold of the plane and each sent me to the section of their websites that stated what animals could fly in the cabin with their owners.

     Almost every one of the airlines I contacted policy pages stated “In cabin pets allowed” are dogs, cats, birds, and guinea pigs and in some cases rabbits. There are pet carrier requirements that needed to be met but each and every time I asked about ferrets I was told they weren’t allowed in the cabin and was not given any reason why.

      I find it offensive that my two sweet boys are suppose to be locked in a dark box and tossed into the roaring abyss called the cargo hold because someone decided that these are evil little creatures. I might as well tossed James and Manny into the trunk of the car the way most airlines are thinking it would be the same result.

     Do the powers that be at these airlines think they are going to get loose and become terrifying creatures? Anyone that has read my blog knows that yes they have their quirks but ferrets can travel well if their owners set things up right.

     I am sure many would say that us ferret owners probably complained about the pet fee for the right to fly with our pets. I will say that some pet fees seem a bit excessive but pet owners are willing to pay for their pets in most cases.

     So my mission is now is to get at least two other airlines to change their policies either back to what it was or to allow ferrets in the cabin. I hope that you will help by writing letters to your choice of airlines from the short list below.

Delta Air Lines, Inc.
P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001

Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR
Dallas, Texas 75235-1647

Continental Airlines
P.O. Box 4607
Houston, Texas 77210-4607
United States

US Airways

Corporate headquarters:
111 W. Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85281

     After all the disappointments I had received I was happily surprised when I contacted Frontier Air and found out that they allow ferrets in the cabin and their pet fee was reasonable.

     The best part was they fly out of my closest airport and to the places I want to go in the coming months.

     I hope that these other airlines follow suit and begin allowing us misunderstood ferret owners to fly with our critters in the cabin.

     Opinions, comments, and statements are welcomed

Jo

Air travel: My pet is not cargo!

     I was looking for ways to get to Bark World Expo and Blog paws West  that would allow me to have my boys with me. I started looking at airlines that allowed ferrets on board.

     The only one I found was Delta and while the pet fee was a little high for my taste I figured I’d ask about if both boys could fly in one carrier.

     This is why I am upset. Even though both my boys together weigh a mere ten pounds they aren’t allowed in the cabin. What! I am paying a high pet fee for my fur kids to fly in the cargo hold? Delta was nice enough to give me a number for Pets First. Sounds like a good start right?

     I told them I was interested in information on transporting ferrets that didn’t seem to compute all they wanted to know from where the flight was coming from and going to. Then asked me how many crates I would need.

      CRATES! I told them thank you for your time and hung up. The only other information I got was they would be unescorted. So my two beautiful boys were to be treated like a package. I am sorry but my boys are not fur covered animatronics things they are living breathing creatures.

     So then I remembered that a new airline had been started just for pets. They got to fly in the main cabin with someone that was a trained pet attendant. Okay great I can take my ferrets on a plane and fly to my destination. Nope No Humans but the pilots and the attendant allowed. Now Pet Airways prices are great for the traveling pet.

     I would deal with my own issues and let them fly alone to our destination. My only problem now is that they don’t fly out of the two airports that are closest to me.

     Now I guess I have to work to either get Pet Airways  into one of the airports near me or find out just why ferrets can’t fly in the cabin.

     What do you think the reason might be for NOT allowing ferrets in the cabin?

 

A very frustrated and upset,

Jo

Countdown to Walk and Pawty for Senior Ferrets

     Wow I am really behind on posting. Been a bit hectic around here trying to get the last touches on Saturday’s walk and pawty and other things including being a part of a flea market on Sunday from 8am to 5 pm. Opps forgot the sunscreen.

                        

     I was excited to have my first guest post on Blogpaw’s blog (link here). It was fun to write it from James and Manny’s point of view. It was also good practice for the writer in me.

     James and Manny attended the  June High Fashion Model pawpawty  in their new look by Kitten Boi designs. Didn’t he do a wonderful job?

     The three of us will be doing a 5-mile walk from Franklin, PA to the Belmar parking area of the Allegheny Trail . While originally I had planned on a 21-mile walk I realized that walking with ferrets for that distance was just asking for trouble.

     Pawpawty is June 26 from 6 to 11p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The theme is outlaws and gangsters so come as your favorite one or if you can’t find the right attire come as you are. They can be from history or fictional. Manny is going as Clyde from Bonnie and Clyde. James is going as his twisted namesake Jessie James.

 

     There will be tunes and noms along with some prizes. All to help the senior ferrets at Heart of Ohio Ferret Rescue and Association . Our goal is to reach $500 but donations although appreciated are not required come and have a good time.

Please RSVP here      So that you maybe included in the grand prize drawing at the end of the pawty.

Before I forget Welcome to my followers both old and new. I hope you have or will find something interesting here.

Jo

National Wildlife Week

     I am dedicating this week to two wildlife organizations that I believe in and support. They are Skye Spirit's Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (SSWREC) and the Prairie Wildlife Research (PWR). Enthusiastic and dedicated individuals run both of these organizations. Who have made a difference in the lives of the wildlife they have helped.

     Today’s focus is on Skye Spirit’s Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center.

     MaryJane Arroya opened SSWREC in 1998 in an effort to help injured wildlife regain their health and return to the wild. She has not only put her heart and soul into caring for these animals she has used her own money when donations weren’t available to sustain operations.

     Each year the amount of baby animals she receives increases because of human interaction, other animals, and nature. This last week she received a baby bird that was just coming out of its shell. It was found on the ground so no one knew what happened that caused it to be there with the bottom half of the shell still attached.

     Baby squirrels were brought to her after a trailer had been bought and moved several miles from where it had been. They were found when the new owners started cleaning the trailer. Luckily for these little guys it was only hours and not days before they were found.

     MaryJane’s main passion is for the birds of prey. These beautiful hunters come into her care after a car or a tractor-trailer has hit them as they swooped down on their prey. Many recover from their injuries and are released back into the wild.

     Those unable to be returned to the open skies are able to have a life at SSWREC and help with fostering younger birds along with helping to educate the public about these large birds.

     This weekend, April 24, 2010, SSWREC is having a baby shower for all the baby animals she has and will receive. As part of the Be the Change challenge I am having a give away I would like to present SSWREC with a donation of 50 dollars that will be doubled by the generosity of an anonymous family at the baby shower.

     I will give away to two lucky commenter/pledges their choice of a dog or cat surprise from Nip and Bones , or tote bag from enlightened ferret

     First the disclaimer: This give away is not sponsored by anyone but me and I am receiving no compensation other than the feeling joy and accomplishment from this give away.

How to enter:

Donate at least a dollar using the widget.

 

     Leave me a comment saying you donated and which prize you would like.

     If  from nip and bones tell me if it is for a dog or cat. For a dog the size and age of the dog.

Extra entries:

Tweet: I just helped SSWREC help an animal u can 2 by donating here http://bit.ly/9Ti0ww

Join SSWREC FB page

     You can leave me a note saying that you have done either or both. Just leave me your twitter name and your FB name.

Contest ends at the end April 25.

Jo

Be the Change Challenge

     BlogPaws opened up so many new avenues that it was hard to settle down and actually figure out how I wanted to be part of the Be the Change Challenge of helping Pets without Parents of Columbus, OH today. The goal was five hundred dollars but can we show this great shelter how much BlogPaws loved visiting Columbus and the pet bloggers that got to go to BlogPaws though our posts and twitter updates by reaching fifteen hundred?

     I also wanted to stay part of the change. I already promote returning the Black-footed ferret back to its habitat and Skye’s Wildlife Rehabilitation but these two great efforts are for our wild counterparts. It isn’t enough and being the only ferret blogger at BlogPaws I wanted to find a charity that would resonate with me and fit into the framework of my blog.

     This last week reminded me of how much we love our fur babies and sometimes forget that they age faster than we do. Lance gave me a scare and while it seems at the moment he is going to be fine it drove home that he might not be here next year. Nine is old for a ferret. So I started looking for ferret rescues that might be worthy of Lance’s status of an Old Man. Many of the sites I checked out haven’t been updated in years and make it hard for me to put a link to them without knowing if they are still active.

     Then I came across the site for the Heart of Ohio Ferret Association and Rescue (HOFA). They have a page for older ferrets that will spend the rest of their lives in special foster homes where they are loved and cared for until it is their turn to cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

     Many have been surrender because their owners either can’t afford the treatments they need to live or can’t face the fact their beloved clown is going to die soon.

     HOFA is non-profit and all donations go to helping the ferrets. My goal is to help these hospice ferrets. A $10 donation will pay for a month worth of medication and food for one of these sweethearts but even a dollar will help.

They are also in need of these items:

Ferretone

Hammocks

Ensure(vanilla)

Food

Food bowls

Water bottles

Litter pans and Litter

Cages

More to come about this shelter.

 

Jo