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Post by pear2apple on Jun 20, 2008 10:59:43 GMT -5
Hi Everyone! Ferret math has hit and I am looking for a shelter ferret to adopt in August. I wanted to start searching now so there is time to find the right ferret personality for my "loner" ferret. The thing is, I need to find one that I can take home temporarily for like a trial period to see if Apple will get along with him because I was told he was a "loner" ferret. I just think he didn't get along in his previous environment because I know he'd love a playmate. I live in Dayton, OH. I'm willing to drive about an hour in any direction to find the right ferret and I have contacted HOFA (only an hour from me) to see if they have any ferrets available for adoption. But maybe there are other ferrets out there who would be even better, and I know you guys are smart about ferret characteristics and personalities. Perhaps someone could help me decide what would work best? I have no preference for gender or colorings, although white animals with red eyes kind of freak me out. Yes, its weird I know, so I try to steer clear of those. Age is slightly more important, I'd rather not have a kit. Preferably one around Apple's age, 1yr-2yrs, I just want their lifespans to be similar, but I guess thats not necessary. I can deal with some nipping, but not outright biting. Needs to be social and able to meet new people without biting them. Spayed/neutered with shots up to date. Not a deaf or blind ferret, I don't think I am ready for that responsibility. In good health, I will be feeding the same diet that Apple is on. Oh, and I need a new cage, preferably under $150. What do you think of this one? www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753630 Or is anyone selling one? Maybe a shelter has one? Any more info you need to help me, just ask. I'm going to make a signature to post here and an avatar of me so you can see us. Here is a link to my Photobucket in the meantime: s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/Pear2Apple/Thanks so much guys! I appreciate any help you have for me!
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Post by tss on Jun 20, 2008 15:48:11 GMT -5
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Post by pear2apple on Jun 20, 2008 16:33:11 GMT -5
Yes, there's nothing in Dayton, I will most likely have to go to Columbus for HOFA or one of the other shelters. I just hope I can do some sort of "trial period" that way I don't get the next one and Apple gets all sulky.
I've just contacted Capital Area Humane Society about Tatoo. We'll see what they say. I haven't heard back from HOFA either.
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Post by meli on Jun 20, 2008 17:29:50 GMT -5
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Post by pear2apple on Jun 20, 2008 20:09:00 GMT -5
For adoptions you can also check out craigslist for your area or even kjjj.com(I think thats it) Thanks Meli for the links, I feel like I searched the cages, and yet I missed that last one! However, after talking with my boyfriend, I think we are going to make my new cage together. This way I can get whatever I want and customize it with all of you guys' good ideas! So now I'm off checking out customized cages and regular cages, the pros and cons. PS. Its cute you called me Pear!
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Post by meli on Jun 20, 2008 21:06:49 GMT -5
hehe goodluck! I think I have some links for some customized cages. I'll have to check that out for you.
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Post by pear2apple on Jun 22, 2008 22:15:35 GMT -5
Meli, I checked out Kjjj.com and its some Japanese site! LOL then an ad on this site had it, www.kijiji.com So I got it now! Also, I've decided to build my own cage. My boyfriend and I are making up the plans and making it the best of every other cage, so this will be fun! I will post pics when its all done!
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Post by Jaycee on Jun 25, 2008 6:46:29 GMT -5
I think it is actually Kijiji....I adopte one of mine from there!
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Post by pear2apple on Jun 25, 2008 7:57:34 GMT -5
Update:
HOFA has not replied, I emailed them June 20.
Bea and Tatoo's foster families have not replied. I'm going to contact them again, perhaps they have already been adopted out and Petfinder has not been updated.
I contacted a few other shelters in the 2 hour radius of Dayton and noone has ferrets available.
I've replied to a few ads on Craigslist, a few responses unfortunately I noticed that they were almost 2 hours away, and thats just too far for me to drive. Another is about 10mins from me, but the ferret hasn't gotten any shots in over a year, and I'm a little nervous about bringing him into my life and Apple's. The people said "He was neutered by professionals at Marshall's" and she assumes "he would have gotten all his shots before he left". Someone is out of the loop! So I'm pretty hesitant to follow through with that.
Cage: materials are collected, it should only cost about $20-30 and then my boyfriend's and my time. I am still going through plans and designing it how I want it. So thats exciting! We also made a tube tunnel play thing. I will post pictures once we modify it more.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jun 25, 2008 8:00:28 GMT -5
I am sorry you havent heard back from the HOFA. Maybe you could call them? I know that sometimes ferret shelters get a tad behind on emails, but they (usually) are prompt with returning phone calls if you say you are a ferret owner and explain that you have an interest in adopting a ferret from them.
Hang in there! I am sure you will find the perfect friend for Apple, he/she will come along when the time is right, Im sure!
Thanks for the update! Please continue to keep us posted.
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Post by pear2apple on Jun 26, 2008 9:58:22 GMT -5
There is a chance I have found the right friend for Apple! On July 4th weekend I am going home to Toledo to visit my family. The Wood County Humane Society has one ferret, Glacier (what a pretty name huh?). I am going to bring Apple home with me that weekend and to the shelter to visit and play with Glacier. I really hope they get along! If it works out, I will adopt Glacier. Glacier I believe is an albino, but oh so pretty, I think I can get over my albino fear with him. They don't know his age, but say he looks young. I'm not sure how much they know about ferrets, hopefully I can find out when I call. However, I do not have the cage ready, and I won't be able to bring Glacier home with me then. But I will be back to Toledo on July 13, and I could pick him up then! I'm going to call the shelter and speak with the manager today to see how that would work out to adopt and pick him up later. So my plan has been bumped up a month! I just couldn't wait to start looking for an available ferret! Its all good though because I have enough food and toys for both. And I have saved up enough that I think I am good to take him in for his vet visit within the first week, as a check up. I should do that right? I think I will bring my Evo to the shelter with me, goodness knows what he is eating there. That way if I decide to adopt, it won't be so bad if I provide some food, and this way I can start weaning him on my good stuff! I think thats a plan. I really hope they get along. Everyone pray or wish hard for me! We have started the cage plans, and my boyfriend (who is the overly excited one in my avatar, the other is me) says it might only take one weeknight to put it all together. But I estimate 2-3 days so we have room if we make a mistake or change our minds about something. Its going to be a pretty big cage, estimated at 2' deep x 4' long x 3' high. Possibly closer to 2.5' high. We'll see, I still need to take some measurements, I don't want this to be an awkward cage, but I think the bigger the better for when I am at work is good. I will post pics in the Cages thread as soon as we finish so you all can check it out!! I am BEYOND pumped about this! Thanks everyone for your help. I hope this is it! PS. Meli, did you find those customized cages links? It would be great to see those. Thanks!
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jun 26, 2008 16:26:15 GMT -5
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Post by weloveourweasels on Jul 3, 2008 2:41:13 GMT -5
Have you seen my link about adpost.com in the craigslist ads post? It isn't craigslist but it is free too and I think It may help you. I got my first ferret from there for a very good price. She was $200 plus $50 I gave the girl in gas to drive from Chattanooga to Knoxville. She came with a 2 hammocks 2 litter boxes food and water dish a basically unused box of clumping cat litter that we used up and then of course bought her some yesterdays news pellet litter, A rectangular rubbermaid container filled with some random cat or ferret food from wal-mart. She didn't even know what kind it was (obviously poor Loki had been on several foods her whole life) and some toys I had to throw out cuz she had chewed them. If you can't find a link with a ferret in your area just post a wanted ad like we did. The girl called us in 3 days and left a message (no one told us she called ) And we called back set everything up and a week later we got Loki Bear.
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Post by pear2apple on Jul 7, 2008 8:57:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the info about adspost from Craigslist, I'd never heard of it, and I did check it out.
However, I have found my new ferret at the Wood County Humane Society, Bowling Green, OH. They only had the one ferret there, and from what I can tell, no clue what they needed. The ferret was eating cat food, so I dropped off a bag of ferret food (minus the banana pieces that were in the bag, yes I picked each piece out!), and now he's eating that. I will upgrade her to Evo and NV after about a month with me. In fact, their vet told them cat food was ok, and I can bet its not the super good kind. I'm not sure they even knew about ferret food. Also, they were adopting the ferret out for $20. Thats a steal! Thats one reason I wanted her with me, it seemed they didn't know how expensive they are to care for.
The ferret's name is Glacier, she is a DEW, she is a definite kit. No idea how old, but can't possibly be much older than the kits in pet stores! Extremely thin, and more than likely shouldn't be eating hard food yet. So maybe I will switch her over to softened Evo kibble for awhile with baby food. I will definitely be taking her to the vet within the first 2 weeks. Hopefully they can give me an approximate age, or this weekend I am taking pics and you guys can let me know!!! I forgot to take pics of Apple and her playing together.
Apple outweighs her easily, she might be 1/3 of his size. He is a big guy, and she is so small and she looks like what I thought ferrets were shaped! Skinny, backs arched, jumpers! Its like she was on a spring! LOL But oh so fun, and she really will finish whipping Apple into shape!
The cage is finished!!! It looks awesome! We put Apple in it to try it out, he managed the ramps ok, with more practice it will be easy for him. The cage is 3 story, with 2 ramps. I was thinking of putting in a tube from the bottom to the 2nd story, but I only have a dryer tube, and that would be so loud! Does anyone know where I can find a quiet tube? I think Apple would be more inclined to use the tube then the ramp, plus more fun! If you have any ideas, please send them to me! I will have cage pics up after this weekend. I am also making almost all the bedding for it since it is so large, I need a few more hammocks and blankets to lay around the floors. I might buy a cuddle cup from someone though. I'm looking for penguin fabrics...hint hint!
OK guys. Thanks for everyone's help! I can't wait to post pics of Glacier, who I might rename either Kiwi or Mango. Maybe I will take a poll from everyone once I post pics! LOL I like Kiwi because it sounds exotic and crazy, and Glacier was bouncy and hyper. Mango just sounds sweet, and not sure if she really does like to cuddle. We'll see, and we can all pick out her name!
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Post by weloveourweasels on Jul 7, 2008 18:42:42 GMT -5
awesome I'm glad you found one. I like the name Kiwi too. I know someone who can make you a cuddle cup out of penguin fabric. She is making my bedding now and almost done. I would recommend the cuddle cave I am getting one. You will see when you check out the site. Just email her and she will send you fabric swatches of the penguin fabrics she has. Also all proceeds go to help ferret shelters or people fostering ferrets. Her prices are really great too. www.creationsbyangie.com/
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