Wondering Weasels

Are you looking to adopt a ferret for the first time or thinking of adding a new addition to your ferret family? Each of the ferrets shown here are looking for a new "forever" home with a loving family. After you have taken a few minutes to read their bios, please feel free to contact the MaFF Hotline (781-224-1098) or The Educated Ferret Association (413-538-7108) to make arrangements to fill out an Adoption Application (PDF or Word file) or to get more information on the care and handling of a ferret. Our Foster Network team will be happy to speak with you about our adoption policies and the procedure for making an appointment to see the ferret that would best suit you and your family.

These ferrets are in long-term care by MaFF. They are not considered adoptable due to medical conditions. Volunteer foster parents care for them while MaFF arranges expert medical care. Donate to support their medical needs.

	Bunny Bunny & Finnigan were surrendered together Sept of 2009. They were in rough shape when they got here but nothing that wasn't fixable with some vet care and good food. Dr Gould thinks Bunny may have been born with spina bifida. Her hind legs do not coordinate with her front. We got them healthy enough to be adopted out but sadly in 2011 they had to be surrendered back to us. Bunny went into shelter shock about a week after she got here. It got bad enough that she went into a depression and ulcerated. It took 3 rounds of medication, lots of TLC and 6 months to get her back to being a normal ferret. Bunny & Finnigan will stay with our shelter director for the rest of their lives. Donate to support foster ferret medical needs.

	CeeCee CeeCee came into the shelter in very rough shape. She was a cast off from Craig's List. She came in with her buddy Meeko and he wasn't in much better shape. CeeCee was very bald and needed medical attention to get her back on her feet. After a round of antibiotics and a Deslorin implant she began to do so much better. Then, the unthinkable happened. We had to help Meeko to the Bridge. CeeCee was so lost for a time. Now she is a happy little girl again and she has a couple of buddies. She will be on medication for the rest of her life. Donate to support foster ferret medical needs.

	Cuddles Age: 4 years old Sex: Female Cuddles was left with someone who couldn't care for her, and now she's waiting for a forever home. Single ferret who doesn't get along with other ferrets. Donate to support foster ferret medical needs.

	Dublin Dublin was found in a well intentioned pet shop in a glass fish tank filled with shavings. He had been dropped off at the store with a full infestation of fleas. The shop treated the fleas and put him up for sale. A MaFF member saw him roughly a month later and recognized several signs of illness. MaFF agreed to take him into the foster program and after a week of discussions with the shop Dublin ...was free from the shop and given a name. He was brought to the vet the next day where he was diagnosed with insulinoma, an ulcer, possible hairball, and very bad teeth. His age is estimated at about 4-5 years, but it is tough to be sure because of the advanced decay of his teeth. Dublin's health soon took a dive and it took a week of round the clock care to bring his strength back. Today Dublin is a much happier boy who is doing very well on medication. His teeth will need work in the future, but for now he gets to spend some time being a real ferret. Without MaFF he may have never left that shop.See More Donate to support foster ferret medical needs.

	Finnigan Bunny & Finnigan were surrendered together Sept of 2009. They were in rough shape when they got here but nothing that wasn't fixable with some vet care and good food. We got them healthy enough to be adopted out but sadly in 2011 they had to be surrendered back to us. Bunny went into shelter shock about a week after she got here. Finnigan is healthy and has always been a very happy, healthy boy. He adores his "sister" and has never been a bit of trouble. These two will stay with our shelter director for the rest of their lives. Donate to support foster ferret medical needs.

	Slater Slater came to us in August 2010. We received a call from the Pawtucket Animal Shelter saying that they had just taken in a ferret found wandering one of the busy streets. We found that the ferret was in a cage in the garage area since there was no other place to keep him. He was severely undernourished with long toe nails and dirty ears. Because of his emaciated condition, his fur was quite sparse and very coarse. As we left the shelter, we named him Slater, after Slater Park where the shelter is located. Slater settled in as well as he could considering the fact that he showed signs of possible abuse. His demeanor was timid and fearful at first and he was definitely not comfortable with other ferrets. He was given separate playtime and lots of love and attention to help him regain his trust in people. It took several weeks for Slater to become comfortable and secure in his new surroundings. About 6 months after Slater came into foster care, it was necessary to have him stay at with a ferret sitter for about 5 days, due to a business trip. It was then that we discovered that Slater did not handle change well. Around the 3rd day with the ferret sitter, he started vomiting and had diarrhea. He was given extra attention, but was not happy away from his familiar surroundings. We decided that Slater, who was about 3 or 4 years old at the time, would be a difficult candidate for adoption and only a qualified ferret owner would be a good choice for him. Slater had a setback about 3 or 4 months ago and a trip to the vet revealed a mass in his chest, some degeneration of the spine at the base of his tail and an enlarged bladder. He was put on Prednisone and supportive care. In spite of all of these issues, Slater has continued to maintain a good appetite and fairly good energy. Since he has been in foster care, he has done very well. He has settled into a very happy routine of separate playtime. However, recently Slater developed an abscessed tooth and has been under the care of the MaFF vet since December. The infected tooth was removed, but the abscess proved to be more stubborn than expected and he will be on an antibiotic for quite a bit longer. The swelling has finally gone down and he looks so much better now. He is even starting to eat some kibble again. Slater is such a sweet ferret and his kisses tell me that he is so appreciative of a comfortable home with plenty of good food, fresh water and clean cage. His favorite time is when his foster mom puts him to bed at night and he gets extra rubs and kisses as he is tucked in his hammie. He yawns and stretches and lets out a little sigh on contentment. Donate to support foster ferret medical needs.

Praise from someone who recently surrendered a ferret:
" Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your organization. Everyone I spoke to was so helpful, kind and truly dedicated. Trudy was an absolute sweetheart and really eased our concerns over Petey. We really wanted to make him a part of our family, but with 10, we're at our limit, so the best thing for him was to find a new home and family. We only had him for a few days, but we became really attached to him (funny how quickly these little guys work their way into your heart). This was a difficult decision, but we knew it was in his best interest. Trudy really, really put our concerns to rest. I can't stress that enough. My daughter and I both cried when we left her home, but we weren't worried about Petey's fate. We knew he was in good hands. That meant so much to us. Then to find out he had a home very quickly, reaffirmed that we made the correct decision.
"If a similar situation arises in the future, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend MaFF or contact your organization for assistance. My daughter Torrie and I are available for references, so please feel free to use our information.
"All of you have my deepest admiration, I don't know how you do this day in and day out, but keep up the great work! 75 babies have loving homes and families because of your hard work and dedication. That is something to be very proud of!
"Thank you, Ali

Ten Commandments for Ferrets

My life is likely to last 5 to 8 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
Give me time to understand what you want from me.
Show me your love.....it is crucial for my well being.
Remember that I am a small animal that can be hurt easily. Protect me from all that is brought around me.
Teach me with encouragement, not abuse.
Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I recognize your voice.
Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, friends, entertainment. I have only you.
Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could hurt you, but I choose not to use them.
Care for me when I get old. Remember, you too will grow old.
Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." I'm scared and everything is easier if you are with me.

(Reprinted by permission from AFA Report Volume 10, Number 5, Sept/Oct 1999)