| Shawn and myself (Joanne) run Ferret Corner Shelter. We had adopted out 4 ferrets (2 at a time) to a family in early January 2003. They were new owners. They went through the screening process, got and read Ferrets for Dummies, and we did the home visit at their house. They adopted Sox and Bandit from us first. But they had fallen in love with another pair also. So after giving it some thought they decided that they wanted Scotty and Coco too. These two were our pet store rescues back in August. We called a week later and all was going wonderful. They loved all 4 and were so happy to have them. Then something happened about 3 weeks after... Feb 13 (Thursday) Shawn got a call from them. Scotty managed to get out on Monday, Feb 10th. They called us Thursday to inform us that they couldn't locate him inside or under the trailer (new manufactured home). We went over that night and set a live trap under the trailer in the hopes that he was there and would go in it for the food and water. Shawn went over Friday (Feb 14) and helped look under the trailer and through the yard for him. He was unable to find any signs of him. He was not in the trap either. I got off work early and we both went back over. We took another ferret with us to help search. Rocky doesn't like other ferrets and we figured he would be able to find on out and about. We had him go through the house on a leash. Searching in every room....no luck. He went under the trailer (me on one side of it and Shawn on the other). He didn't find anything and went right back to Shawn. Then I crawled under the trailer. From one end to the other. I searched ever rip in the insulation...poking my head him and shining the flashlight. Yelling out his name, and crying. We did another sweep of the yard...still nothing. We walked around on the dirt road calling for him.... there is just desert. We left the trap in place. Sunday evening at 10 pm the family brought back the three, Coco, Sox and Bandit. They thought I would feel better if they didn't have them anymore.... they were crying. We talked for some time and I explained that while I am very hurt that one of my babies is MIA I don't want them to give up the other three, unless they don't want them. Who is to say that the next people we adopt to won't lose one or all? There is no guarantee in life, I know that...though I sure wish there was. I explained that we feel responsible because we saved them from the pet-store, and we adopted him out. I also explained that they should have called when it happened. Waiting the 3 days could have cost him his life. After 2 hours of talking and playing with the ferrets (who by this time have crawled back in their carrier and were waiting to go home) they left...with the ferrets. We have contacted the 2 animal shelters and they have talked with their neighbors. We took the trap away and can only pray that he is safe and happy where ever he is. That we hope he knows that his brother Coco is doing ok. Not a minute goes by that I don't think about him. Donna, Lily and Kat have been wonderful. Thank you. Shawn is now looking for tracking devices to help. He has found a small robot camera that is remote controlled and only 4 inches long and wide (great for duct work). We have purchased a sound devices which will allow us to hear the slightest noise. We also now have the live trap. Please keep Scotty in your thoughts and remember to always check for your ferrets. If one gets out, call for help. If you adopted from a shelter, call the shelter right away. They are a great source of information. "Ferrets are the Spice of Life" Joanne Ruffner Ferret Corner Shelter www.geocities.com/ferretcorneraz |
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| For Scotty |
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