Hi there

Usually I post on the dog forums, but today a little ferret, a blackish grey one (not sure if is a Polecat?), walked up our drive and came over to me.

I am not sure if a male of female, I think female, but didn't want to handle her too much as I don't know a lot about ferrets, despite running a rescue for some years, one of the other members of staff always handled and cared for the ferrets! (wish I had more to do with them now!).

She is very thin, and was wet and cold, probably been out all night. I put her in the shed in a puppy cage, fed her a little bit of dried cat food (high protein) and she was very thirsty. She then snuggled up in a fleece blanket and went to sleep, so I left her for a few hours to rest. I have since been in and she has had a wander around, a pee on some paper on the floor!! and a good explore, before choosing to go back in again. My OH has got some ferret food from Pets at Home and some paper pellet litter, so I put some of the peed paper in the tray and she has had another explore and settled down in a den of a box with the fleece in it.

Now I rang the RSPCA, who said they would get back to me, but heard nothing yet. I am quite happy to keep her for a day or so, but as I know nothing about them, don't really want to have a ferret long term.

Anyone have any ideas on what I should do with her, she is very small and slight, so I don't think is very old, it is possible she has been abandoned, we live down a track in a farmhouse and there is only a large lake and fields/woods nearby.

Is the puppy crate OK for the time being, I put a water bottle up and she seems to know how to use it, she has the food, bed and litter tray, do I need to be doing anything else.

Thanks for any help you can give, on care and also rehoming.

Kate

PS we are based in the NorthWest, Merseyside area.

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

Hi there,

You have done so well so far. The puppy crate is fine, as long as she can't squeeze through the gaps!

Maybe have a ask round in the local area to see if anyone has lost her, or check her for a M/C. Can you take a photo of her? And as for male/female. The males 'parts' are a bit like a belly button!


If you can bring her down to Derby, I will happily feed her up and find her a loving home. If not I'm sure there is a good ferret rescue a bit closer.

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here is a thread I made about basic ferret care

Basic Ferret Information

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have cross posted this to a ferret forum too

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RSPCA didnt help me when I found one...

There is a ferret rescue in Lancaster...
Home - Halfway House Website

If all else fails PM me and I will take her in. I have had 2 ferrets that I have found and taken in the past because the RSPCA wouldnt help. And in total have had 25-30 ferrets.

Get in some kitten milk you can buy it from any asda or pet shop and get in some james wellbeloved ferret food, that has made many sick ferrets perk up.

Here is another rescue that may help.
Karen, Andy & Vikki

Good luck.

right here are some ferret rescues local to you!

Location county: Lancashire
Location town: Lancaster
Rescue name: Halfway House Rescue
Web link: Home - Halfway House Website
Contact name: Helen
Contact e-mail: helen@halfwayhouseferretrescue.co.uk
Contact phone number: Helen 07833 431 838/Gwen 07533 190 879

Location county: Lancashire
Location town: Wigan
Rescue name: Dookies - Wigan
Web link: DookiesFerretRescue
Contact name: Judy
Contact e-mail: dookies@tesco.net
Contact phone number: 07947 776 635

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Thank you for all the help.

We have moved her to the garage as it is warmer and she has a reflective blanket over part of the cage to keep her warm. I have been in the garage with her for a bit - I am pretty sure it is a she - at least no sign of a little belly button!!!!

She is great fun, goes off to explore, very interested in the bin with the dog food in it - obviously has a great sense of smell. Friendly little thing. let me pick her up and stroke her. Very confident, there were horses clattering around in the yard and she didn't bat an eyelid! She loves using the little water bottle and kept going back to have a drink. She also had a little bowl with water in it, but I think she was playing with the end of the drinking bottle and enjoyed it!

I am pleased to say she looks a lot better, her fur is a bit coarse, but she looks a bit more hydrated and although a little thin, looks healthy enough. One thing I did notice is that when she eats, she then makes a funny little noise - almost as if she is chewing or smacking her mouth together, but the food doesn't seem to be there?!!

She was only wandering around for 10/20 minutes and then took herself back into her little den and curled up in the fleece again. So have left her to it. Otherhalf has gone and left the light on for her, so she won't be in the dark!!!!

I have sent an email to Dookies - they seem to be the nearest, although say they aren't taking anymore in. I should think she would be extremely easy to rehome.

Tapir, thanks for the advice and contacts along with the offer to taking her in, I don't fancy coming all the way over to Derby and back.

Shetland Lover, I may take you up on the offer, I will see what the local rescue says. It is very kind of you to offer and I don't want to say no just yet, but will be in touch with you if it doesn't happen. Otherhalf wants to keep her, as does my 6 year old, but it really isn't practical! I feel a bit of a meeny, but at this moment, I don't feel I can give her enough time.

I am going in again later, just to see she is OK, I am presuming she will be OK overnight - not sure whether to turn the light off or not!!

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

she'll be fine tonight, they are tough cookies, and tend to cope better with the cold than the warm!

I spoke to Dookies on FerretsForum.co.uk - If you want to talk ferrets, this is the place! and she said to get in touch and she will arrange a pick up for her.

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I have emailed them, do you know who it was you spoke to? Only there are a number of names on the list for them.

Thanks I really appreciate all the help.

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

I'm not sure of her name, she is oflfine now, but I'm sure she'll be in touch soon.

If you dont hear anything by midday tomorrow, PM me your number and I will PM it to her on FeFo

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