Guilty and Never to be Proved Innocent

Why is it that the Hooman’s have a saying that says “Innocent until proven guilty,” But us critters are automatically deemed guilty and rarely if ever proven innocent.

Hooman’s do not take what other hoomans say at face value when a crime is committed yet when it comes down to us being accused there is no real investigation if a hooman states they saw us do something then it has to be true even if that hooman is not very reliable or they think they saw was true then it should be proven.

We Live in a world where critters are frequently the scapegoat and unless our pet hooman’s start to demand that we at least get the right to prove our innocence when we are euthanized because we supposedly did something horrific such as gnaw on a child then we should have a necropsy performed. The act should not be set in stone just because someone said we did something when we could have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The reason for this post is that Iz found out that there was no necropsy done on the three ferrets or the cats in the case of the baby being supposedly mauled by ferrets. The reason given was that the mother saw one of the ferrets on the child and as Iz has stated multiple times there is a chance that the ferret was trying to comfort the child. Yet the only test done was for rabies and only on the ferrets.

The officers involved stated that the bites were consistent with a ferret’s bite except if we were to bite into something to leave an impression and a cat did the same thing you would see that the bites would be very similar and unless there was a scientific comparison to rule which one left the mark it would be very hard to tell and yet none was done.

So as far as the media, those watching the media. and law enforcement are concerned the ferrets were the evil animals that attacked a defenseless child and caused severe injuries that will require multiple surgeries to repair. In the minds of those people the ferrets deserved to die but did they really? We will never know the truth. Granted the children have been removed from the home and the parents charged with child endangerment.

What do you think? Should any animal accused of attacking a hooman that has been euthanized have a necropsy done to prove/disprove the report?

Have a Chittering Day,

Manny

“I Have a Dream…”

 

That line is from a famous speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in August of 1963. He was given a holiday by President Ronald Regan in 1983. It is to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday which is January 15th, but the holiday is celebrated on the third Monday of January.

Iz not a speech maker but Iz too have a dream.

Mez Dream is that all ferrets be free to bring their pet Hoomans out of the darkness of fear an into the light of encouragement.

That ferrets and pet Hoomans can live in harmony and not under the persecutions of misguided entities trying to squash the love between ferrets and their pet Hoomans.

It is mez hope that the dream starts tomorrow with the New York City Board of Health recognizing the good our small furry paws can do with the ban on us lifted.

It is also mez hope that the state of California will sit up and take notice of the movement and will take a long look at their prejudice  towards us ferrets and also remove their ban.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day Iz ask you to help bring this dream a paw step closer by signing this petition to Introduce Ferret Legalization to Legislation so at the very least the California Legislation will put the matter on the rolls to hear from the pet Hoomans and not just those that wish to oppress us ferrets.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Manny

Update on Grace

Photo from Washington Metro Area Ferret Outreach.

Grace is off the I.V. support and is eating on her own. Her blood work is slowly improving every day but she still has a long ways to go.

She is starting to act like a ferret by exploring her surroundings and finding comfortable spots to take naps. Her favorite place seems to be on Claudia.

Don’t know the story of Grace? Check it out here

Ferrets normally sleep between 14 to 18 hours a day but I am sure that Grace is sleeping a lot longer than that as she regains her stamina and strength.

If you look you can see where she is starting to get new hair and her ribs aren’t sticking out so far any more.

Enlightened Ferret is proud to help Grace by donating a portion of our sales from Ferret Fabulous Finds Auction House 

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Justice for Grace.

 

Disclaimer: Photo is graphic. If abused animal disturb you then this is not the post for you.  If you continue to read you do at your own discretion.

For my regular readers you know I don’t often post about those evil people who abuse animals but when I do it is because one of them has grabbed a heart string and plucked it making it sing out in need.

Grace is one of those that has plucked more than just my heart string among us ferret lovers. I first saw a picture of Grace when it was posted on the Washington Metro Area Ferret Outreach’s Facebook page.

She is one of the lucky ones as she was abandoned in an apartment building hallway and animal control was called who in turn called the Outreach who knew exactly where to take her for the best medical care she could get.

An investigation has been opened to find Grace’s owner so that charges can be brought against him or her. There is no way this happened in a few days

and I hate to think about how she managed to survive this long.

If you would like to help Amazing Grace you can donate to the Chadwell Animal Hospital - 443-512-8338 VET INFO or send it to PayPal account steph@wmafo.org and add a note that says for Grace.

Another way to help is to bid on some amazing items from the Ferret Fabulous Finds Auction House 10% is donated to a weekly ferret shelter from all of the artists who have items listed and I am proud to be one of those artists with my unique ferret clothing and I will be donating between 15% and 100% depending on the item sold.

( Ferret WarmUp Jacket for fur challenged ferrets)

If you live in the Washington D.C. Area and recognize this little girl or might know who abandoned this sweet soul please call your local animal control with the information. This little girl did nothing to deserve this abuse.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Save a Yorkie named Cinnamon

I don’t normally write about other critters unless they somehow relate to ferrets so this is a completely different kind of post for me.

Roomie, Judy, started fostering at the beginning of the year in hopes of helping her adopted puppy mill rescue Ariel learn how to be a dog.

At the moment, she is fostering Curly who is a seven-year-old yorkie who has cataracts and diabetes and requires insulin twice a day.

She received an urgent email from Save a Yorkie Rescue about another little yorkie named Cinnamon.

Little Cinnamon was surrendered after being hit by a car. This little guy is just a year old and is suffering from one dislocated hip, one  broken hip, along with his pelvis.

As of this writing, we don’t know if he has made it through the surgery that was scheduled for yesterday (February 13, 2013) but the rescue has paid out the large sum of $3000 as a down payment for the surgery and will be owing another $3000 for his care during his recovering if he survived the surgery.

The reality is that Cinnamon may come out of the surgery paralyzed, permanently incontinent  which will make it harder for this little fighter to be adopted.

 

Knowing that I have many readers who understand special need pets I am hoping that some of you can help this wonderful rescue out by donating to his care even if it is $5 as it does add up and help pass this along so that Cinnamon might find the right forever home.

 

By clicking on the Save a Yorkie Rescue logo you will be taken to Cinnamon’s page where you can make a donation.

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

I Have a Dream

 

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day in the United States he is famous for his 1963 Washington D.C. speech “I have a Dream” given in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Like Martin Luther King Jr. I also have a dream.

Mine is that California removes its unrealistic ban on ferrets and legalizes their residency.

My dream is that others come to understand ferrets and that all the myths and misconceptions are wiped out.

It is also my dream that all the homeless ferrets find their special forever home and never have to want again

Until then my dream is that all the caring people who foster, shelter, and rescue these wonderful little guys are well funded by those that can help make a difference in the day-to-day operations.

Just one bag of food can help reduce the amount needed.

Just one $10 donation to a vet care fund can pay for a month of medication for those in need of adrenal and insulinoma meds.

Just one case of paper towels, Simple Green, or other cleaning supplies help reduce the outgoing costs that can be spent on the ferrets.

What is your dream?

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Guest Post: A Ferret's Five Welfare Needs

 

Ferrets are inquisitive animals that require considerable attention and care. If they are regularly handled by humans from a young age, they can form strong bonds with their owners and become as good a companion as a cat or a dog. Ferrets display a range of playful behaviours and this renders them a fun pet to have around the house. If well cared for, they can live as long as ten years. However, their average lifespan is around six years.

When ferrets are not adequately cared for, they suffer from boredom. This can result in a variety of physical and psychological problems.

Understanding the Needs of Ferrets
Ferrets are domesticated mammals. Wild European and Steppe polecats are likely to be their ancient ancestors. However, since no wild counterpart is believed to exist, scientists are still finding out about ferrets' habitats, behaviours and needs.

Owning a Ferret
Looking after a ferret is highly satisfying and can bring with it many treasured memories. However, ferret ownership can also prove a challenge. The long-term commitment associated with ferret ownership is not to be underestimated and this is particularly true of the financial cost. Anyone who owns or is responsible for a ferret, even temporarily, is required by law to adequately care for the animal by ensuring that its five welfare needs are met. These responsibilities are detailed under the Animal Welfare Act, which was introduced in England and Wales in 2007.

A Ferret's Five Welfare Needs
No two ferrets are the same and for this reason, there is no ideal way in which to look after this animal. While one ferret owner’s circumstances may differ greatly to those of another, an owner must ensure that their ferret’s five essential needs are met. The way in which these needs are met may vary. However, all ferret owners must take reasonable action to ensure that they provide their animals with
• a suitable place in which to live;
• a nutritious diet and uninhibited access to clean water;
• the chance to behave as they normally would;
• the chance to seek out appropriate company;
• protection against, and treatment for, pain, injury, suffering and disease.

Disclaimer: This is a compensated post and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Enlightened Ferret. It is also from the stand point of those that own ferrets in the United Kingdom and the post does have UK spelling.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Updated 7/16/14: Removal of dead links

Ferret Misconception on TV

Disclaimer: I do not watch Two and Half Men and have not seen the episode so can only comment on the article on Examiner.com

When I first saw this post in the examiner I was curious as to how the show had angered the ferret community. I don’t watch the show as it has never appealed to me but now I am outraged at the fact that this show has gone out of its way to bring the ferret into the public’s eye in the most misleading way.

The more I read through the article the more concern I got about how much of the misconceptions were seen as truth to those that have no knowledge about ferret ownership.

This isn’t the first time the media has put bad lighting on the ferret but it needs to be balanced with the truth so that people can make the distinction between falsehoods used to make a show seem funny.

The first thing I want to point out is that it is illegal to own a ferret in California unless you have a wildlife permit. This is due to the California Wildlife and Game office that placed the ferret on their wildlife list in 1932 and has refused to remove it from the list by stating that if a ferret was to get loose and breed it would be a threat to the California bird population.

The fact is if an intact ferret did get loose in California, it is highly unlikely that it would find another ferret to breed with. Ferrets also do not do well in temperatures over 72 degrees and California is known for its high temperatures in the summer.

While ferrets are related to the mink and weasel, they don’t have the hunting knowledge that these two do and would become a larger animal’s meal.

Ferrets can get up to five pounds but do not maul people as shown in the show. The average weight for a ferret is between 2-3 pounds and is easily defended against.

I won’t say they don’t bite because ferrets do bite for many different reasons.

1. From being abused

2. From being Frightened

3. From trying to taste what they smell on your hands

4. Trying to get you to play

5. Because they are tired

6. Because they are sick

7. They are still learning what is acceptable

I travel with my ferrets and I am overly cautious about who gets near my ferrets. I make sure their vaccinations are up to date which include rabies and distemper.

I must point out that there have only been 14 cases of rabies reported from a ferret in the last 52 years. Rabies is fatal to ferrets as they often die from the virus before it can be spread to another pet or human.

While ferrets can be trained to come to a squeaky toy or a clicker, they can’t be trained to attack. As stated above I did not see the episode mentioned so I can’t tell you how they would have created the illusion that the ferrets were attacking.

I can tell you from experience that ferrets will jump at you with all four paws spread out in an attempt to get you play and they will climb up your pant legs because to them it is a tunnel that needs to be explored.

My other complaint is that one of the scenes has Rose placing the ferrets in a car. Talk about bad publicity for leaving a pet in a car with the windows rolled up.

Also, a ferret wouldn’t just lay around waiting for someone to open the door they would find a way into the dashboard and into the engine compartment and finally the ground.

As I have said before I travel with my ferrets and I educate people about ferrets wherever I go. In the three years that I have been attending Blog Paws, Bark World, and other pet events I have been able to dispel many of the misconceptions of ferrets along with showing people that ferrets can be an entertaining pet.

In fact, I was told by one attendee at the 2011 Blog Paws that they had been afraid of ferrets because of all the bad press they had seen but now wasn’t afraid of ferrets because of the time spent with my two boys and talking to me about them.

If Chuck Lorre wrote this episode and is connected to social media, I can only hope that he will realize how much harm the episode could have done to the ferret.

While I’ve never watched the show, I might have given it a try had he not put the ferret in such an evil light.

What I can say to the writers of Two and Half Men think about how much viewers believe from television before writing another script that places another animal species in the wrong light.

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