"Massages for Mustelids" Was a Big Hit!

The Ferret Inn would like to give a big THANK YOU to Jean Hurley-Gardner, a friend of the shelter and licensed massage therapist. For the month of July she came up with a fundraising idea, “Massages for Mustelids.” She donated the tips she earned for the month from The Healing Path in Federal Hill, where she works as a massage therapist. Jean also has an in-home office in Curtis Bay and donated all of her income from her private practice as well. Jean said that, thanks to many ferret-friendly clients who booked in July to support her cause, the typically slow month was very busy. In all, she donated $1600.00!! This proves what one person with a great idea and a huge heart can do. Thank you Jean, from all of the Kids at the “Inn”!! Please help us say thanks to Jean by booking your next massage with her, or if you have always wanted to get one, now is the time!!!

Jean is proudly owned by 9 furr kids, and if you book with her at her home office, you just may hear a pitter-patter on her hardwood floor, which she says some of her clients look forward to. Given the response, Jean is considering this being an annual event!!

You can contact Jean at 410-637-3760 https://www.thehealing-path.com

Winner of the Owl Bedding Set!!

Congratulations to the winners of the Owl bedding set:

Lizzy and Chris who adopted Tika and Spirit from the Inn!!

EXTENDED!! Support the Shelter and have a chance to win!

We have extended this till the end of July! 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the shelter and the 'kids'.
Thank you!

Whooooooo's looking for some fun bedding?!?

Want a chance to win some awesome new bedding for your own fur kids (or grandkids), while helping us take care of the 'kids' at The Inn?

This brightly colored unisex owl print is just what your cage needs to bring the outside in. This set includes a barrel and den made by creationsbyangie.com, and a snuggly oversized hammie and padded sleep sack made and donated by Lisa O.

From now until July 31st, you have a chance to win this great bedding set! Donate $5 to The Ferret Inn for 10 chances, $10 for 20 chances or $20 for 40 chances to win. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the shelter.

Please use the new Google Checkout!

Garage Gang Update!

Hello Friends of the Inn,

The good news is that Buddy has had his surgery last week , and is recovering nicely.
We wanted to wait for the biopsy report before we posted an update. Unfortunately, he does have lymphosarcoma.
We have decided to follow a treatment plan that has proven beneficial in two of our other ferrets at the "Inn" who had the same diagnosis.
This will be a long term protocol needing a CBC every two of weeks, and if his blood work looks good, he will receive the chemo drug Cytoxin. In addition he will need radiographs, b12 injections for support , etc.
We are hopeful that he will tolerate the treatments well.
The other 3 members of the Garage Gang are thriving and enjoying their new found freedom and enrichment provided by the rice boxes, ball boxes , miles of tubes and tunnels, and most of all, the peanuts!!!
We are grateful for those who have come forward to help with the Garage Gang's initial work-up.
However, we still need help with Buddy's surgery cost and treatment. His surgery was 330.00 including the biopsy and his monthly medical expenses will average to 150.00 on the conservative side. We are hoping to raise an addition $800.00, to cover surgery and 3 months of treatment for starters.
We have a great Owl themed four piece bedding set on our blog http://theferretinn.blogspot.com/ and face book.
What a great way to help out Buddy and have a chance at a cool bedding set!!

A Thursday update on the garage gang

The good news is that the ADV results are negative, and just as important.. They all love their soup!! We serve it up in the morn and eve in addition to their kibble, and it shows. They are all getting a bit rounder, and gaining nicely, however Buddy is trailing behind a bit.

Sadly, the cytology report confirmed the lump on Buddy's neck is Lymphoma. Ideally, since it seems that only one lymph node is affected, we would remove it. However, due to his heart murmur, we are treating with pred for two weeks, and will revisit our options at that time.

Sophia




















Sophia and Chubbs













Chubbs in the rice

















more Chubbs











Buddy playing in the rice















Buddy in the Balls

4 Ferrets in Need

I want to thank those who have stepped up to support these kids with your donations, it wouldn't be possible with out you.
Thanks so much

These are the before pictures



Buddy

Has a fascination with the cornstarch peanuts and chooses not only to play in them , but can be found snoozing in them as well.

The growth on his neck was aspirated and we are waiting for the cytology report.
Dr. Gold has hopes that it is just a blocked salivary gland. Lets hope!
His blood work also looked good , and glucose is 87, he got a deslorelin implant and will get a melatonin implant as well.
If the results of the cytology point to surgery, we will remove the chordoma as well next week.
Buddy does have a heart murmur , so will see how to
proceed.





Chubbs

Has settled in nicely as you can see, and has won us over with his laid back attitude.
None of these kids were held , much less cuddled, but Chubbs loves his new surroundings and lap time.

His blood work was normal as was his
Blood Glucose @ 109 !!
His obvious adreanal was treated with a deslorelin implant.
He will be getting a melatonin implant as well.




Jewel

Is just that, a precious tiny jewel.
She is smart and ever so curious. I have high hopes for this gal.
Jewel has suffered with adrenal for quite some time . Once the deslo and melatonin implant kick in ,I have hopes that she will feel like a brand new ferret, and will be able to fully enjoy the years she has left..

Her blood work also looked amazingly good and her glucose was 85.




Sophia

I named this beauty Sophia after Sophia Loren because of her stunning black eyes.

Unfortunately , as I suspected and Dr Gold confirmed , she is blind, and can only discern darkness and light.

Her blood work was unremarkable as well and her glucose is 78.
She also got the deslorelin implant, and is in line for a melatonin implant.

Support the Shelter and Have a Chance to Win!

Whooooooo's looking for some fun bedding?!?

Want a chance to win some awesome new bedding for your own fur kids (or grandkids), while helping us take care of the 'kids' at The Inn?

This brightly colored unisex owl print is just what your cage needs to bring the outside in. This set includes a barrel and den made by creationsbyangie.com, and a snuggly oversized hammie and padded sleep sack made and donated by Lisa O.

From now until June 30th, you have a chance to win this great bedding set! Donate $5 to The Ferret Inn for 10 chances, $10 for 20 chances or $20 for 40 chances to win. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the shelter.

Please use the new Google Checkout!

York Spring Nationals!

The “Ferret Inn’ had a vendor table at the York Spring
Nationals and launched a new line of ferret embellished tees
called “Weasel Warhol” which were well received.
We are constantly looking for ways to support the
shelter, so please consider a “Weasel Warhol Tee for
a great Easter gift for the ferret loving gal in your life!







Tom and I were joined at the show by Melissa and her special
needs ferret Dookie (who has been making a hit on you tube
lately http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awi2ydTMmdY ),
Emily,(Mel's friend and fellow vet student ),and Jasmin and
husband John who came to experience their first show . We
were grateful for the good company and the help!!
On a side note, CONGRATULATIONS to Drs. Melissa and
Emily who are graduating vet school in May..!!

Dookie was a hit as usual , his playpen surrounded with adoring
children and adults as well, kept us busy when we weren't
selling , browsing other vendors, or just kicking back sharing
stories and good conversation.
He also won an impressive " 2nd" in the physically challenged
class. Our friend and judge, Penny Hendrix was tearing as she
presented Dookie with his ribbon and story of spinal lymphoma,
which of course caused a chain reaction of tears and sniffles with
Melissa and us Dookie fans. On lookers alike were touched . :)














photos by BonnieRussell

Lisa O. brought some of her fabulous bedding which we sold all
but one piece of and a great “Owl themed “raffle ensemble. Due
to the lack of foot traffic we will be raffling it on Face book or the
blog or both along with some other cool stuff including “Weasel
Warhol “tees!. Stay tuned!!!
Andrea knitted two adorable ferret collars which got lost in the
bedding and such on the table, so didn’t have a chance to be
snatched up! (Note to self ... Make display for small items.)
In addition to Lisa’s bedding, we did sell a few magnets, odds
and ends, and “Weasel Warhol” tees.
All in all, we paid for our table and netted $200. Not one of our
better fund raisers as the foot traffic in the shows seems to be
dwindling , but it was a day well spent !
Many many hours were logged in by friends /volunteers Karen,
Kasey and Jay, Carly , Julie and Herman, Erica, Lisa, Jennifer,
Andrea and kids, Farida, Michelle, Laurel, Melissa J, Jacob,
Stacy and Brittany who lovingly took care of the shelter and the
ferrets , were glued to the Mac and Photo shop in helping bring
Weasel Warhol to the public , or in the sweatshop cutting decals

or ironing ..
Mostly , thanks to Tom for being the self sustained man he is,
and for never haven given me that dreaded ultimatum :)

Nancy Wilson
Director
The Ferret Inn

Spring is here!

Spring is here and that means longer sunny days, flowers, singing birds and if yours haven't already started, shedding ferrets!

Unlike cats, ferrets can't 'cough up' any fur they ingest while grooming themselves during shedding time. If preventative measures aren't taken you can find yourself at the vet for expensive treatments that might even include surgery for intestinal blockages.

What can you do to help?
Regular brushing of your ferret can help eliminate loose fur and can be a great bonding activity. Also giving your ferret regular doses of a hairball remedy will help keep the pipes clear. Not sure what hairball remedy to use? Check with your ferret friendly Vet to recommendations!

Another happy ending!

Shelby also found a forever home with volunteer Jasmin. We hear he is doing well and making good friends with her ferret!
Congrats!