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Post by whipple on Jul 23, 2008 1:19:42 GMT -5
So I would love to adopt through a rescue, but after looking at the requirements, I doubt it would happen. For one thing, I do not believe in vaccines. I would keep the new ferret seperated for a month at least, but that wouldn't matter to "them". Also I'm not so sure how well a raw diet would go over with most rescues. Not to mention, on one application, they were asking if you were willing and able to pay $500 - $3000 to take care of a sick pet. If I had the money, I would be very willing. I have spent many pennies on sick pets. X-rays, blood tests, operations due to a breeders negligence. So yes I am willing, but if it came between my pets and my rent, I'd have to pay the rent. Sorry but if we're homeless then i can't care for them *at all*.  |
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 23, 2008 10:42:15 GMT -5
i know what you mean about rescues --they do a good thing-- but some of their rules are a little out there. when i was looking to get another ferret i was turned down becuase at that time my kids were under 5 (both of them) now they are are 5 and 6. I have 10 ferrets and they have never suffered becuase of my kids.
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Post by weeksl08 on Jul 23, 2008 13:50:49 GMT -5
All of the rescues i this area are at least 2-5 hours away from me. The closest one is 2 hours 23 minutes away. The wont let me adopt because they require an at home check first and I'm just a little over the 60 miles or less requirement.  |
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Post by josiesmom on Jul 23, 2008 16:11:07 GMT -5
I can see both sides of the "rescue adoption" dilema. I've got a friend that does re-homing of ferrets and I got Roman from her. She knows I feed Raw and whole prey. I've seen and heard about the conditions some of the ferrets she gets and it isn't always a nice neat rehoming situation. She spends a lot of time and personal money getting these animals ready for adoption. She has a policy of not adopting to people with children younger than 8 and I tend to agree with her.
That's not to say that many ferrets live in homes and are cared for by children as young or younger, but usually it is with intense involvment and supervision from the parents.
Most young children today are not responsible enough to commit to a living pet. All too often the very ferrets being surrendered were because "the kids lost interest" or "want another pet" or the classic lame excuse "my kid is allergic".
I am an apartment dweller, thankfully my landlord isn't upset that I have ferrets. I'd have a whole lot more if I could but 6 is my limit! My apartment is not part of a large commercial complex. I've rented in those places before and some that allow pets quickly become trashed by inconsiderate tenants. Ferrets get passed off as cage pets so may come under the wire for apartment regulations, but after bringing this so called caged pet home the new owner quickly realizes that ferrets are NOT just large gerbils! So they end up at a rescue! Or the owner is seen out walking their ferret and next thing you know the landlord is telling the tenant to remove the pet or find a new place to live.
I think many of the rescue rules are based upon good intentions and necessary guidelines. But if you are determined to get a specific ferret the rescue has I'd imagine with a little communication or extra effort the rescue place could be convinced your home will be a final home for the ferret.
Rescues with mileage restricitons for viewing new homes might be convinced to do an inspection if they are offerd some gas compensation.
Working with the rescue for a time may convince them you are experienced enough. Getting a signed letter of permission with the landlords phone number may sway the apartment rule in your favor.
Most rescues WANT to find caring homes for the ferrets not keep them at their own place.
As for the money thing- yes, its always good to have a decent emergency reserve- but to make it a qualification? Does that mean the rescue has 300 to several thousand set aside for each ferret? I highly doubt it. Most vet's offices will work out payment plans for large bills, so that should be taken into account.
Cheers,
Kim
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Post by whipple on Jul 23, 2008 20:00:36 GMT -5
I can see both sides of the "rescue adoption" dilema. I've got a friend that does re-homing of ferrets and I got Roman from her. She knows I feed Raw and whole prey. I've seen and heard about the conditions some of the ferrets she gets and it isn't always a nice neat rehoming situation. She spends a lot of time and personal money getting these animals ready for adoption. She has a policy of not adopting to people with children younger than 8 and I tend to agree with her. That's not to say that many ferrets live in homes and are cared for by children as young or younger, but usually it is with intense involvment and supervision from the parents. Most young children today are not responsible enough to commit to a living pet. All too often the very ferrets being surrendered were because "the kids lost interest" or "want another pet" or the classic lame excuse "my kid is allergic". I am an apartment dweller, thankfully my landlord isn't upset that I have ferrets. I'd have a whole lot more if I could but 6 is my limit! My apartment is not part of a large commercial complex. I've rented in those places before and some that allow pets quickly become trashed by inconsiderate tenants. Ferrets get passed off as cage pets so may come under the wire for apartment regulations, but after bringing this so called caged pet home the new owner quickly realizes that ferrets are NOT just large gerbils! So they end up at a rescue! Or the owner is seen out walking their ferret and next thing you know the landlord is telling the tenant to remove the pet or find a new place to live. I think many of the rescue rules are based upon good intentions and necessary guidelines. But if you are determined to get a specific ferret the rescue has I'd imagine with a little communication or extra effort the rescue place could be convinced your home will be a final home for the ferret. Rescues with mileage restricitons for viewing new homes might be convinced to do an inspection if they are offerd some gas compensation. Working with the rescue for a time may convince them you are experienced enough. Getting a signed letter of permission with the landlords phone number may sway the apartment rule in your favor. Most rescues WANT to find caring homes for the ferrets not keep them at their own place. As for the money thing- yes, its always good to have a decent emergency reserve- but to make it a qualification? Does that mean the rescue has 300 to several thousand set aside for each ferret? I highly doubt it. Most vet's offices will work out payment plans for large bills, so that should be taken into account. Cheers, Kim I completely agree with you. I did rescue, of dogs not ferrets, and its not easy. Where I live it is illegal to refuse a rental, or kick out a tenant due to a pet, unless that pet is causing distress to other tenants. So thats not an issue. I can understand the vax thing, and i would be willing to get my ferret done if it means I could adopt. I think it's mostly the financial thing. I always make sure that I have the funds to care for my pets, there was a couple times when I did not have those funds due to some stupid situation. We asked a rescue to help us out, and they did. they had extra food that they gave to us to help feed our dogs, and we never had to give them up. The other time, I did have to rehome them. They went to live with my b/fs dad, who still has them to this day. Mayb e it's a trust thing. That I can fully understand. When you do not know someone who is asking to have one of these critters you worked hard to rehabilitate, it is hard to hand them over without an interrogation. I just find it sad for thise people who do have good intentions, they are put in the same box. |
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 23, 2008 22:17:35 GMT -5
My thing with the kids is that when i approached a resucue they assumed that i was getting the ferrets for the kids. Which i was not the ferrets are mine and my hubby's. as are the dogs and the cat. thats not to say that the kids dont have to help with the animals. They do. But just to say that becuase my kids are under the age of eight and live in the same house that the ferrets live in that that makes us unsuitable to have ferrets is a little nuts. I agree that there should be rules and what not but you should also listen to the people that are looking to take the ferret/cat/dog whatever.
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Post by Heather on Jul 23, 2008 23:16:01 GMT -5
I understand both points of view. I've refused to place a ferret in a home with young children but that being said I was standing talking with these people for a couple of hours. I saw what their children were allowed to do, how they were disciplined and what respect was given to my ferrets. They went out and bought a furbaby after I refused them, anyway. Now, little Thor lives with me. Guess I figured that one out right but another furbaby paid the price for them to figure it out All my furbabies had to go to raw feeding, holistic based homes. I don't bother any more (placing that is), I now run a rescue/sanctuary. We don't have the huge numbers of ferrets that you have available down in the states. The most that I've ever had in rescue at one time is 18, that's my limit. I'm more comfortable with 13 or 14 but 18 was doable. I know that I once had a late night conversation with Randy Belair -- Ferret Aid and she admitted that she would place with me if I asked, even though her forms claim that the ferrets have to be fed high end kibble and be vaccinated. I don't vaccinate and have always fed raw. Actually, I presently have one of her rescues here. I rescued him from a lady who got in over her head with ferrets. Loki was one of this lady's first ferrets and Randi had warned her that he could be very aggressive towards other ferrets. He most definitely can be, but he's good with the furbrats for the most part. There are a couple he doesn't like but I keep them seperate. Poor Loki, he's been rescued so many times....he gets to live here for the rest of his days. I couldn't part with him. Randi let me keep him  The one thing you have to remember is that most rescues (not all) are trying to find the best possible homes for these furbabies. The cost of error is huge, possibly the life of the ferret at worst, a rehome at best. The cost to the person who places the ferret in the wrong home....huge if they have any type of concience I couldn't deal with that part of it. That's why I don't rehome anymore. I'd like to think that people don't lie to get a furbaby but I know it's wrong. I hate having to try and second guess why people want to have a ferret, if they're really going to be a good home or are they telling me everything I want to hear just so that they can get one of my furbabies. Just my thoughts on this. |
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Post by pear2apple on Jul 24, 2008 9:03:49 GMT -5
Honestly, when I just adopted Kiwi from the Humane Society, I believe one of the requirements was that I have $500 or so put away for medical bills. Well, its not that I don't have that money set aside, its just that I have my own savings. I have more than 8 months worth of emergency money incase I lose my job or something so I will be able to live at my apartment and support myself for that long.
If any of you are Suze Orman fans, she suggests not to invest/buy anything that is expensive (aka ferrets) unless you have 8 months worth of emergency money saved. So look at it that way. If you don't, maybe putting this off and curbing other spending (for me thats going out and clothes) until you've saved up that much. Its really not that hard to save money, especially for something you really want!
As for a landlord, as far as I know, she doesn't know I have ferrets. If she ever comes by, I would stick them in their cage (its large) and say they are cage pets. Besides, my friend has rats at the same complex and she lets them run around her apartment sometimes! So I should be fine.
Talk to the rescue about vaccines, maybe getting the first round of vaccines once the ferret lives with you is ok, and then isn't titters something lots of people do instead of vaccines? Bring up your case, show them you've done your research and you understand what you are saying. They may think you just don't want to pay for it. Also, for the raw diet, (not that I condone lying), however I feed my ferrets kibble and raw. So you could do that, mention you feed kibble and raw, then show evidence to back up your decision.
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Post by aleronferrets on Jul 24, 2008 16:51:47 GMT -5
I accepted long ago that unless I ummm "bent" the truth, I'd not be approved for adoption from most animal rescue organizations. I don't vaccinate the ferrets or cats and don't vaccinate the dogs according to any traditional schedule. I feed everyone raw diets. And (for some rescues this is the worst of the worst and could only mean one thing - I am a BAD owner) I have intact animals and worse, have purposely bred them from time to time.
A GSD breeder friend of mine was turned down to adopt a 10 year old neutered cat from a local shelter because she has two intact female dogs and has bred them. Doesn't matter that her breeding dogs are totally health tested, working titled and every litter has has had has produced working police and service dogs. In the eyes of most rescues, breeders are all very BAD people. Her sister went and adopted the cat for her, answering all their questions "correctly".
We adopted a dog from a shelter and fibbed on the application about diet and reproduction status of our dogs. We were approved because they didn't ask for proof of the dogs being altered. Had they asked for proof, we'd have been denied. Had we been truthful from the start we'd have been denied for sure, so it was worth a try. Funny too since you would think shelters would LOVE for people like us to adopt their dogs! I'm a trainer, work with dogs, plans of training the dog for agility and obedience and have lots of experience with the type of dog we were applying for.
If you want to rescue a ferret, check your local classifieds. There are often people desparate to rehome their ferrets and most don't ask many questions. Those ferrets need help every bit as much as shelter ferrets, probably more so and you don't have to deal with your care choices being analyzed. Or take your chances like we did and answer the rescue/shelter's questions "correctly" - you feed a blend of Totally Ferret, EVO and Natural Gold and your pets are always vaccinated on time every single year.
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Post by Jaycee on Jul 24, 2008 17:09:41 GMT -5
You know, I am not looking to adopt anymore ferrets at this time. But I thought "I have a good coloney of ferrets, I care for them well...maybe I could foster some that are "unwanted". I filled out my application...but I know I won't hear back from them. It makes me sad to think that they will die in a cage and not know love just because I have kids or feed raw. I know for a fact that those animals in the rescues could very possibly end up in a much, much worse home than mine.
I also have a huge problem with the Humane society. I went years ago to adopt a dog. Picked him out. Filled out the paperwork....and then they told me I couldn't have him because I don't have a fence. Since when did it become requirement for an indoor dog to have an outdoor fence? I know lots of dog owners with no fence! They were rude, and honestly I won't ever go back. I just do my rescues from Craigslist now.
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Post by pear2apple on Jul 24, 2008 18:23:29 GMT -5
Yknow, I can't honestly say I know what I put on my application for Kiwi. I think if the Humane Society knew anything about ferrets (obviously did not) then they may have asked more questions. But they didn't. I mean it was the standard questionaire for cat/dog owners, but nothing about ferret-proofing or handling. But I agree, go to Craigslist, sometimes you are still rescuing them!
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Post by weeksl08 on Jul 24, 2008 18:42:46 GMT -5
But I agree, go to Craigslist, sometimes you are still rescuing them! I've rescued 2 from the "Trading Journal" which is a classified ad thingy around here. Both of my girls needed me in big ways, they were both abused/neglected. |
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Post by aleronferrets on Jul 26, 2008 10:56:54 GMT -5
I also have a huge problem with the Humane society. I went years ago to adopt a dog. Picked him out. Filled out the paperwork....and then they told me I couldn't have him because I don't have a fence. Since when did it become requirement for an indoor dog to have an outdoor fence? I know lots of dog owners with no fence! They were rude, and honestly I won't ever go back. I just do my rescues from Craigslist now. This is exactly the sort of thing I hate about the shelter/rescue community. Instead of looking at the individual people wanting to adopt, they make rules which they will not make exceptions for. No fence? No adoption. Intact animals? No adoption. Apartment? No adoption. Feed the wrong food? No adoption. Don't vaccinate yearly? No adoption. The funny thing is that they all likely complain along the lines of "why don't more people adopt from us!!!". For awhile I was teaching training classes at a local shelter. I was well liked by the volunteers and if I wanted any dog there, I'd have been able to adopt. But if I came in off the street and had to fill out an application? No adoption! |
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Post by Jaycee on Jul 26, 2008 11:06:44 GMT -5
Exactly! They complain about the number of animals that have to be put down, but in the same breath it is like they would rather do that than find truely good homes for them. Check my background...I'm no criminal. No charges of abuse or neglect. I have a good job. I don;t even have a speeding ticket against my name! The death rate of a shelter animal doesn't have to be as high as it is. But according to the rules, I'm not sure even the pope could adopt!
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Post by whipple on Jul 26, 2008 12:21:27 GMT -5
Lol, nope, the Pope travels too much for any shelter or rescue.
These are the exact reasons why i have always wanted to start my own rescue, and I did rescue a bit years ago, but in the smallest way. I was picky with whom I adopted dogs to, but I was not restrctive.
And personally I think an apartment dweller would be a better owner then a person with a fenced back yard. Instead of just tossing thedog into the back yard, they have to take the dog out for a walk and interact with it at the same time. It's that interaction that a dog craves. Its not as simple as emptying its bowels.
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