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One
of MaFF's missions is shelter, which involves both foster
care and the finding of permanent homes for ferrets in
need.
MaFF Foster Network Closed to Intakes
Due to the heavy volume of surrendered
and abandoned ferrets, MaFF's Foster Network is temporarily
closed to intakes (particularly surrendered ferrets). We
are currently fostering over 40 ferrets with another 11+
shelter ferrets at The Educated Ferret Association. If you
are facing a situation where you MUST surrender your ferret,
please feel free to call the Hotline and we will be happy
to put your name on our waiting list. If your situation requires
immediate action and you decide to surrender your ferret(s)
to an MSPCA or ARL located in Massachusetts, please contact
us and we will be happy to call the shelter where the ferrets
are located and make arrangements to take them when we have
space available. Depending on number of adoptions that can
be processed, we expect to remain closed to new intakes for
at least a couple of months.
The only exceptions to intakes will be for lost or abandoned
ferrets and those will be handled on the basis of critical
need.
On behalf of all of us at MaFF,
I would like to thank the Foster Network Team and foster
caregivers for the dedication and commitment each one of
your has made by taking in as many foster ferrets as you
can handle. Your gift of a loving temporary home for each
foster ferret in your care is greatly appreciated and we
are truly grateful for all you are doing for these little
ones.
MaFF Shelters
MaFF currently has only one affiliated shelter. It is at
full capacity, with waiting lists of more ferrets, all in
need of good homes. If you or anyone you know is looking
to add a ferret to their family, please contact a shelter. Not
only will you save some money, but you will be giving a ferret
who really needs some help a good home. There are several
advantages to adopting a ferret, instead of buying a kit
from a store. Some of these are mentioned in MaFF's "Why
Should I Adopt a Ferret?"
All MaFF affiliated shelters are no-kill shelters. Barring
untreatable medical problems that leave the animal in nothing
but pain, no animals are put down. All MaFF affiliated
shelters have the same policies,
and adoption fees.
Other Shelters
Shelters listed are not MaFF affiliated shelters. We
urge you, however, to contact any shelters in your area,
as they may have the new fuzzy you are looking for.
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Ferret
Association of Connecticut, Hartford, CT
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Ferret
Association of Rhode Island, North Kingstown, RI
(401) 294-6309
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Ferret
Kingdom, Manchester, NH
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Ferret
Services of Freedom, Freedom, NH
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Ferret
Wise Rescue & Rehab Shelter, Marlborough, NH
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Li'l Paws Shelter, NH
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Fuzzeezden, Danvers, MA. 978-407-7744, fuzzeezdenresq@yahoo.com
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How Can I Help
Above all, you can adopt a ferret! If you can't do
this right now, but you would still like to help, there are
several opportunities which the MaFF where you can help:
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Foster Homes
Foster homes help the shelters by taking animals in
need of special care, on a temporary basis, and work
with them until they are ready for adoption by a
permanent home. |
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Shelter Assistance
Shelters can sometimes use help socializing ferrets,
transporting ferrets, or maintaining the shelter.
If you have some time to spend helping your local
shelter, help your favorite mustelid by calling your
local shelter operator. They will be happy
to tell you how to help!
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Donations
The shelters are always in need of donations and each
shelter has a wish list of items which they would
like to see brought to them to help with the upkeep. Call
your local shelter to find out how to make a donation
of money or supplies! |
MaFF Shelter Activities
Currently MaFF is working on the following objectives for
the shelters:
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Working with the MSPCA, Animal Rescue League, and
Local Animal Control Officers to take ferrets instead
of passing all ferrets to MaFF shelters.
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Getting more noticeable exposure. We are attempting
to get stories into local newspapers, news stations,
and other media outlets to cover our shelters.
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Educating pet stores and the pet industry in general
regarding the adoption option. |
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MaFF
Foster Network
Since
we do not have enough shelter space, MaFF is running a foster
network to provide temporary housing for ferrets in need
of forever-homes. Foster parents are volunteers who put a
lot of time and effort into caring for these animals and
in many cases helping to rehabilitate them. Ferrets surrendered
to us often have health or behavioral problems that must
be corrected before they are considered adoptable.
We
do need additional foster parents. This is a substantial
commitment that should come from someone with experience
keeping ferrets and the necessary time and space to keep
foster ferrets separate from your pets. If this describes
you, please contact our foster coordinator at fosters@maferrets.org for
an interview.
Before
You Adopt a Ferret
Being
a ferret owner requires effort and work. As cute
as they are, cleaning a ferret cage can be a bother. Ask
questions, talk to people who own ferrets, and find out
what it takes to have one. Knowing the full story
will make your experience all the more fun. Take
a look at MaFF's So You Want
to Adopt (or Foster) a Ferret.
If
You Need to Surrender a Ferret
Unfortunately,
circumstances some times dictate that you have to give
your ferret away. Perhaps you got in over your head. Perhaps
you have landlord problems, or you're moving, or any of
a dozen reasons. What ever the reason, losing your
animal can be traumatic. Although shelters do everything
in their power to give your animal a place to stay until
it finds a new home, there are times when there just isn't
room. The shelters need help from people like you
and understand that you're trying to do what's best for
the animal. If you need shelter, contact the MaFF
Hotline and ask what they have for available space. There
are also no- and low-cost things you can do to help.
Have
you tried:
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Donating
a day to a shelter. More importantly, bring
a friend. A single man-hour can help a handful
of animals. Four hours can do ten times as
much good. The shelters will be more than happy
to tell you when and how you can pitch in to help.
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Placing
an ad in a local newspaper? Usually small ads
are about $20. All that needs to be on them
is the name of the shelter and the phone number.
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Making
a donation. Lets face it - every dollar counts. Ads,
promotions, vet bills, food, and animal upkeep are
all hard expenses. Any amount to defray the
cost is a big win.
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Contacting
your local/regional papers. Ask them to do
a story about one of the shelters. A human
interest story develops traffic, and traffic develops
new homes. New homes mean more space in the
shelters for new animals that need it.
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Successful Adoptions
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| Roz |
Buddy |
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