Dateline July 07, 2009 - Parma Ferret Rescue

Updated August 18, 2009

     The Ohio ferrets were removed from a home in mid June 2009. I received several disturbing e-mails and phone calls from the owner for over a month before the mother and son finally agreed to relinquish the ferrets. I was told by the mother that the owner of the ferrets abandoned them some time in March 2009 after a family dispute. The ferrets were left in the home of his mother who had no experience caring for ferrets. There were several postings on craigslist and on a couple of ferret chat rooms stating that the ferrets were in need of immediate help and needed to be re-homed. 

     It’s my understanding that these ferrets were given to the Son by a local pet store. Mom told me that someone there would give the Son ferrets that were returned or dropped off at the store- that’s how/ where he got all 15 ferrets. 

     When I picked the ferrets up, they were being housed in a large rabbit cage- all 14. The mother said that there was another cage that was in a bedroom that she was using to house the ferrets- when I requested the cage she handed it out a bedroom window because the house was too cluttered to get the cage through an exit door. The cage was at best filthy- caked poop and strong urine odor- not big enough to house 15 ferrets. The ferrets had no toys; no bedding and I observed empty food/ water dishes. The cage was lined with newspaper that had very large piles of feces all over, several of the ferrets had dried poop on their fur. The mother told me the ferrets had not been out of the cage since her son left. Per the mother there were 15 ferrets but one had died she thinks of dehydration and malnutrition. All of the ferrets were found filthy with overgrown/ curled nails that were packed with dried/ hard poop under and around the nails, dried urine on their fur, wax impacted ears and several with significant weight loss.

     Most of the ferrets have significant dental issues and several have adrenal disease. One ferret had to be immediately taken to the vet due to infections in what teeth he had left. Ferret Pinky had to have 7 teeth removed and put on antibiotics. All of the ferrets had to be vaccinated because they were living in a home that housed many wild animals.  

Thanks for your help, 

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