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Post by Forum Administrator on Aug 12, 2009 12:37:19 GMT -5
 The HF Mentor Program has a mentoring capacity of 20 students at any given time. Listed below is how many students are currently enrolled in our program out of our max capacity of 28 students at a time:As of Sunday, January 11th, 2010 we have
19/28 mentor slots filled.Thank you for your interest in the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program! The pride and joy of the HF Forum is our mentor program, which pairs people who are interested in switching their ferrets to a natural diet with experienced, patient mentors. Your mentor will help you to switch your single ferret, or business of ferrets to a natural diet. They will provide you with advice and encouragement, they will help you provide a balanced and nutrious diet for your furkid. To get started in our program please read on.     The Holistic Ferret Mentor Program is run by our Holistic Ferret Mentors. Our staff is all volunteer, and made up of experienced, knowledgeable ferret owners who are eager to help you put your fur kids onto a healtier diet. Our mentors work with several "newbies" at a time. Because of our limited staffing we require you to sign up for the program and complete an application process before you are enrolled. ##Please note that because of the number who wish assistance in switching their ferrets over to raw and the limited number of mentors we request that if you wish to enroll in the program that you actively research this process. Members who post, ask questions and even start their own switch will be given priority consideration. People who sign up for the mentoring program and then do not post or check in regularly will be deleted from the queue. Thank you for your patience and consideration.## If you are interested in a mentor, please copy/paste the application form below into THIS thread. We will review your application and Heather or Giuliana (the Holistic Ferret Forum Administrators) will contact you to discuss your application via private message. They will get a feel for your goals, your ferrets, and your lifestyle and they will pair you with a compatible mentor as soon as one is available. Please be as honest and thorough in answering the application questions as possible, it will help us to pair you with the most compatible mentor. Thank you for your interest! We look forward to helping you! --------------------------------------- Please copy/paste this form and post it here in this thread. Be sure you fill out EVERY question to the best of your ability. Name:
HF Forum Username:
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). |
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Post by jeepmanager on Jan 17, 2011 14:09:46 GMT -5
Name: Russell
HF Forum Username: JeepManager (I use this on all forums)
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I've always fed natural diets to my dogs and cats so I guess nowhere... Just kinda know it's best for all animals.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I would like to have her on a raw diet.... Whatever works. Ideally I can get her eating thawed whole animals, although she wont even look at raw meat at the moment and I'm weary about resorting to instinct and throwing her in the bathtub with a mouse. She'd then be subject to bites and scratches in her eyes/throat.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
All my animals are on it
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
One female just over a year old. Seems a healthy weight but I'm sure she would look better on raw. Coat's a little dull, stool is loose, again I think from the processed food.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Ultimate Ferret Diet (so embarrassed but it's what she will eat)
Treats: Temptations (cat treat), sometimes a raisin, tiny pieces of apple if I happen to be eating one.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Yes I constantly try. She has no interest in the raw meat frozen or thawed.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I'm the son of a vet. Know animals pretty well and I'm not just on here to fill this form out and never return for advice. I have lots of experience with dogs, cats, and horses, but a lot less with ferrets.... That's where hopefully you guys come in!
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Daily with the odd exception.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Can't seem to figure out how to do that on this forum. If someone tells me then for sure I'll get a pic of her up.
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Post by jswog on Jan 18, 2011 20:59:54 GMT -5
Please copy/paste this form and post it here in this thread. Be sure you fill out EVERY question to the best of your ability.
Name: Jen (Ferret is Reece)
HF Forum Username: jswog
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Have fed raw, natural diet to dogs and cats in the past, so as I started researching the possibility of getting a ferret, it just seemed like the right thing.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I would prefer a whole prey, frozen-thawed diet. I want to fully switch.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I hate processed foods and think it is the only right thing to do for this kid!
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Absolutely!
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
One ferret, recently adopted. His name is Reece. I was told he's two years old. Male. No health problems that I know of, but his teeth are atrocious and he smells worse than any ferret I've been around before. I attribute that to being fed crap 9-lives cat food. His weight is good.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
I've so far gotten him switched to Inova EVO cat food and he's begun to eat a little canned sardines. They sent a ferret fatty acid supplement with him that I've continued. He gets dehydrated fruits for treats.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Just got him and am currently working on switching him.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Can't think of a thing...
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Generally once a week.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Only on my phone right now and can't access the board from there to post.
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Post by sereena on Jan 19, 2011 1:40:31 GMT -5
Name:
HF Forum Username:
Sereena
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Natural ferret yahoogroup
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
When we bought Loala we where told to feed only Marshell`s food. Once she was home and used to us and the place she has been allowed to run and play with our cats with which she steals food from. Our cats eat everything. We farm and our dogs and outside cats eat everything with a lot of it being raw and natural home grown ( we have never used any chemicals on crops, and fertilizer is cow and horse crap...so I guess we are "organic") With two of our dogs pushing 14 yrs of age in 2011 and still playing like pups we prefer raw meat. Always have. We both are over 5th generation livestock/grain producers so have no problems cutting and handling anything raw.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
You don`t know and are not gauranteed just what is in bought food, for animal or people. With a natural diet we can feed what we produce and know it has no addatives or chemicals in it.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
When we found out that ferrets will NOT die if they eat food other then Marshell`s food and ferret dry food we where commited to shiching. When we first looked into her tiny sparkly eyes we where commited to giving her the best home we think she should have. It seems funny, but we call her our "baby of the family" as she has just bounced her way into our family like no other animal has. We still don`t know who owns who and if she is the pet or we are : )
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
Lola was born October 1 2010 or so we are told. She is our only one.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Still using a bit of marshells to get her switched or to try to get her to switch more easly to raw. Have lightly mixed the dry Marshell and her favorite cat foods(friskies dry, and co-op 3 flavor cat food.. we do feed dry food more in winter due to freesing and having ferel barn cats..if I leave out raw it is gone ASAP and some wont get plus the house momma and her kitties get to or they hide it), with baby food for babies, to get her used to a different taste, or taste of meat. The mashed baby food we make is also easier to smire on raw foods in hopes she might lick at it at least. She will not eat it as it is. But did try friskies wet and she ate that!
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
oops. See above. She got her first chicken wing tip to night. She is mad as she is in her cage, she usually sleeps at my or our son`s feet at night under the sheets. If she gets a chance she will grab the brown bread and toast we give the house cats. With or without butter and eats on it. Have tried putting ground up hamberger and the cooked chicken "mush" on top to just see but she wont touch it then. I think I might have to put raw meat in my husband`s chore boots as she loves to take his in soles but I don`t think he`d like that and I don`t think she would either.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
We have a ball with Lola. We`re morning people as it is and she makes it even more fun!
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Any time between doing chorses. We are on dial up so at times it takes for ever to get to sits and go through posts. The computer is used mostly for livestock records. : ) I am a poor speller, worst gramer and can`t put into words very well what I mean to say.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Have no idea how to!
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 21, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -5
If everyone could just be patient. We have 3 full mentors, 2 new ones in training, and that's it. We will get to you, as we have people graduating on a regular basis. Most of us have 3-5 people each that we are helping right now.
In the interim- take the initiative! Read through the switching threads, the archives, etc.! And get going on it.
If you like, you can start a "switching" thread in the "newbie" section of nutrition, and we can all pop in from time to time to give a hand there.
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Post by fuzzyfert on Jan 24, 2011 21:37:40 GMT -5
Name: Maya
HF Forum Username:fuzzyfert
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Researching, Google, forums,etc.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I would like to do whole prey. I have some leftover fuzzy mice from when I attempted whole prey a few months ago.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
To better their health.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes, I tried it awhile ago and gave up but lately I've been trying to find a really good kibble but it just makes me feel so guilty that I'm not doing all I can.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
There is Ringo, a male, he is a year old. He also recently started having flakes in his fur, no hair loss and is very active(keeping an eye on him.). Then there is Juno, a female, she is around 8 months. She does swing her back legs when she walks sometimes, the vet said she might have had back leg trama when she was a baby, but she still jumps around like crazy so it doesn't seem to bother her.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
They just started eating Dr Fosters and Smith Original, before that they were eating Before Grain cat food( I know, I couldn't decide on a kibble!) Occasional treats are Totally Ferret treats only Ringo eats them and I give him 2 max every other day. Ringo also loves his N-Bones so he gets one a day, Juno doesn't care for them.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Yes, I just got frustrated.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Theres nothing really exciting about me. These are my first ferrets. I also have two dogs and a Bearded Dragon.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
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