NEWS
Update 3/3/10
At the moment we are having a large number of single boys, none of which are neutered, being handed in by the public and the RSPCA. It has been averaging at least one a day for the past 1-2 weeks. We think this is because the male hormones are causing them to a) become escape artists to try and find some females and b) to escape being attacked by other males.
We appeal to all ferret owners to either castrate their male ferrets or separate them to ensure they dont fight.
Whats really worrying is that nobody has come forward to claim any of these lovelies, and they have all been well handled in the past, they've all just been left to fend for themselves. It is shocking.
23/4/10
Well the onslaught continues. More delightful ferrets in but a lot of lovely new homes coming forward on the back of a local newspaper article and a live ITV news appearance! Lets hope this continues.
Due to the recent CD outbreak we are vaccinating all our PR ferrets against distemper, and will organise a programme to ensure all the rescues will eventually be vaccinated also. This will be costly but we are hopeful that we can fund this with a few more money making ventures.
Canine distemper is virtually always fatal in ferrets, causing an agonising death. Vaccine is available although not licenced for use in ferrets, your vet should be able to advise you.
We assessed the risk of the animals contracting the disease (quite high as we take ferrets into the community to fund raise often with many dogs present, and we have the RSPCA and other 'animal' people in and out of the house frequently), and decided that we should be vaccinating our ferrets. The highest risk of all is taking in 'wandering' strays who may have been out and exposed to the virus for some time
If you think your ferret may need vaccinating and wish to talk it over, please feel free to phone us.
TYNE
Tyne visited the vets again this week for assessment for anaesthetic. He needs to be castrated as he has what we think is a tumour that is hormone driven. The vet also thinks he has suffered a broken pelvis previously which is why he isnt walking well despite a good weight gain. He is higher risk for surgery but has to be done. We are keeping everything crossed for him, he is such a lovely lad and has been through so much already in his life. He will continue to be a permanent resident here, and wont be put up for rehoming. Due for surgery next week, will keep you posted.
22/5/10
Dare I say its quietening off a little??
Still busy with the usual day to day chores, but have had some good rehomings recently which have helped.
Took the microchipping course last week, so will be able to offer the service now (see events page) for all ferrets - a great opportunity to help keep your pet safe.
On a sad note, we lost Tyne as he went for castration - he couldnt survive the surgery - the vet did say he was in a poor way and had not had an easy life, it was heartbreaking, the only consolation was that he didnt suffer a long illness. RIP Tyne we will miss you.
4/8/10
Well its been a while since the last update, apologies for this but we have been working 26 hours a day(!) as usual. We did manage to get a break for a week to charge the batteries up and have come back revigorated.
I have moved Jeannies story to her own page, to make it easier to keep updated with her progress.
15/9/10
At last, a day to get all the admin duties updated! We are having building work done to make the ferret quarters more comfortable. Thanks to Jess (who also has ferrets from us) for your help
Rehoming has been going really well with some fabulous new homes recently, although as soon as some go, theres another lot waiting to come in!
Toastie (came in pregnant 2 weeks ago) gave birth 2 days ago and seems to be doing well, despite all the crashing and banging from the building works. I still always worry about the kits when theyre so young.
Wolsingham show was a great weekend for us and helped put some money in the account, and we are getting more PR events lined up for the next few months to keep us on an even keel
6/12/10
Well what a busy few months.
We are full again but worried about strays during this very cold weather so are trying to integrate groups to give us a couple of emergency hutches. We have had a couple of strays in in the past week who have been ok but will endevour to ensure all strays get in quickly at the moment.
We have had some very positive fundraising recently so we can now try to pay for the food out of the rescue funds (hurray!) but are aware that we will have big vets bills when all the hobs taken in in the last month or so come into season early next year!
5/1/11
Well a Happy New Year to all the ferrety folk!
We have been totally inundated over the holiday period and both myself and Andy are exhausted. We have taken the decision to close to all incoming animals for the rest of the month to give us time to neuter those we have in and rehome some before we can start again.
Its not a decision we have taken lightly, I am aware there are no other rescues in the area, but unless we can regroup we will not be able to continue.
If you have unwanted ferrets please try to find homes for them yourselves or hold on to them until we are open again. I will update the website as soon as we are able to take ferrets in again so watch this space.
We will be open for, and welcome, any enquiries for rehoming or fostering.
I will try to update the 'ferrets available' in the next couple of days but please phone for more up to date info.
16/1/11
Have loads of castrations booked in this week, and the admin side is getting up to date so we will be reopening on Sat 22/1/11
Thanks for all the support, and thanks to Lynne at Paws for Thought in Sunderland who is looking after a little one for us until we reopened.
12/2/11
Well back up and running again and, dare I say it, very quiet at the moment. We have a little girl brought in who MAY have consumed rat poison so are watching her carefully.
Have had a couple of good PR days but the funds are getting a little low again so we'll be back out on the road raising more money!!
12/3/11
Had some great rehomings recently so our numbers are down slightly although all hutches/cages are full! The boys in season have to be kept separately until the hormones subside, usually 2 weeks post castration, so with all the boys in recently its holding up hutch space!
13/4/11
After the crazy few weeks things seem to have quietened down a little although all hutches still full of stinky lads! Now watch the phone start ringing...!
14/5/11 - Just had the two weeks from hell, as my husband went to visit family in Australia! Didnt realise how hard this is until you have to do everything, including work, yourself. We will now probably downsize the rescue a little so everything is copeable by one person. Hopefully it shouldn't mean many unwanted ferrets get turned away, we just need to be more efficient
We are getting ready for the forthcoming shows including our first rescue show of the year next weekend in Gateshead. Really looking forward to it.
26/5/11 - Well the show was brilliant - we thoroughly enjoyed it and was so pleased with the turnout. Thanks to Heather and Luke who judged and had the most impossible task. The results are on the relevant page!. I have reopened the rescue although we cannot cope with the number of groups that we've had in the past couple of months. Can I say thanks to our fosterers who take in long term ferrets with 'special needs' - without them we couldnt continue.
So onwards and upwards!
Next show - Meldon nr Morpeth on 3/7/11!
7/6/11
Well the first of the kits have come to join us, dumped in a box. They seem to be ok, the RSPCA have looked after them for the last couple of days so they have had a lot of movement and stress in the last week or so, so we'll be hoping they settle. All seem to be eating but I'm keeping a close eye on them.
Some good rehomings recently so things easing a little (cant believe I've just said that!). All ready for the kits...
24/6/11
So I was wrong to say it was easing!! Have mum and 9 kits now who are very little but mum is tiny herself. They are all suckling well but are trying to start weaning. Mum (Jasmine) has had mastitis so recieved antibiotics and pain relief from the vets.
Plus another batch of strays all boys bar one little pretty bino jill. We are at a loss as to whats going on with the horrendous amount of strays this year it is stretching us further than we really want to go.
23/7/11
Well the kits are being fostered at the moment which has relieved the load a little, but its still slow on the rehoming front. Those homes that have come forward are fabulous, and we are so grateful for that.
As soon as we have a spare slot it gets filled within 24-48 hours so we've never been able to open properly again, and remain unable to accomodate unwanted litters or pets at the moment, we can only take in emergencies.
The last four weekends have been busy with shows so its the first chance Ive had to update the website properly!
13/8/11
Were fighting a losing battle here, having to turn away more ferrets than we can take. Its very slow on the rehoming front, many thanks to those who have rehomed recently. I hope things pick up soon, it is so demoralising.
20/9/11
At last, things seem to be picking up. Some good rehomings coming up and lovely ferrets in. The recent summer shows have helped boost the funds so we can now start to move forward again. Have the big annual show to plan at the end of October, and some indoor PR events over the winter to keep us ticking over
