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"The little guy in the picture is Buddy, the very first shelter kid to cross my threshold, a severe biter not at all trusting of any human hands. With lots of love and patience, he found he no longer needed to embed his teeth to the bone to keep from being hurt. He was the first of many biters to come to me. I love to work with biters; the transformation is so rewarding!" - Shelter Mum Brenda |
About The Lakeroad Ferret Farm Rescue/Shelter, Inc.
• Read about us in the News! |
All about Our Day at the Shelter
by Shelter Mum Brenda
On behalf of all the fur kids in this shelter, we would like to explain some of the things that go on here. Each cage has a number and name plate(s) on it. Doing this has a dual purpose: 1) It helps us keep track of who gets out next, plus it identifies the ferrets in one stroke on a sheet of paper should we need to count heads for Missing In Action (MIA) fur kids, and 2) it provides backup in the event Shelter Mum is unable to care for our Shelter for a day or two. Someone could come in and know when and where each ferret belongs.
The GRAY and YELLOW alert:
This tag tells how often soup is fed and the amount of medication administered in the soup. The soup is a concoction of vitamins, minerals, supplements, and crushed Totally Ferret food all run through a blender to liquefy like soup. This is recommended and administered to all Insulinoma ferrets. Each cage is the living quarters for the ferret(s) that have come to this shelter. If they come in as cage mates (multiples living together), they will never be split from one another if it can be helped. Ferrets stress easily, especially when they have been removed from the home they have always known. Now that they have a new home, smells, schedule and human caregiver, stress is a real concern. These changes are a lot to take in for one little body. Here at this Shelter we
do all we can to keep the little fur kids from stressing themselves to the point of becoming ill. We request from the original owner as many of the ferrets own belongings as possible. Their food and water are essential, as is bedding, if possible. The Shelter would like the cage, but usually it is not donated.
Each cage gets at least one hammock and one house for sleeping (sleep box). The number of hammocks and houses relates directly to the number of ferrets in a cage. Each house gets a blanket. We use yard sale baby receiving blankets. (Note: All multi-level cages have one large hammock in the middle so that if the ferret falls, the hammock will break the fall.) All floors are covered with a shelf cover. The cover can be removed and washed frequently. Each cage has a pink fire escape bag on it so that if we should need to get out quickly we can bag them and toss them gently to get out safely.
Each cage gets at least one water bottle with a dish under it (all water bottles leak) and one food dish. The cages with multiple ferrets will get more than a single dish of food and water. The food and water dishes are kept full at all times. Most of our fur kids drink out of a dish, but to be sure no one runs out of water, they have access to the water bottle as well. (Note: All food and water dishes are kept away from the bathroom area.) Most cages have a floor above the sleeping box for the food and water dishes so that they are away from the litter box/poop papers. This keeps the litter from getting in the water dish and the food and water out of the litter boxes.
Ferrets need a minimum of 4 hours a day out of the cage to run and play. We do our best to make sure each cage gets at least that amount of time out. We have eight areas that we can let the ferrets run and play: the ferret room, the play room, the playpen, the original dining room, the original library, the kitchen, the bathroom and if the weather allows it, the side porch. Our day starts at 3:30 AM. Cage #1 has the most ferrets in it. They are limited to where they can go because they love to climb; therefore, they start in the playpen for one hour. Cage #2 gets the porch, Cage #3 gets the house, Cage #4 gets the playroom, and so on. So that each cage group gets time in each area, every hour (we have a timer set) this changes and the groups get moved to a different area.
This system gives each group of ferrets a total of 4 hours out of the cage. We do this until bedtime around 8:30 PM. There are groups that get the run of the kitchen and the resident space all night because they can be trusted to be out of their cage. Some even like to sleep with Shelter Mum!
After each cage group has been placed in the area they will play in, we clean the cage, litter box, litter papers if they use them and make sure all the bedding is clean and fresh. Water bottles are checked to be sure that they are full. If they need refilling, they are replaced with a clean bottle. All dishes under the water bottle are emptied, washed and fresh water is added. Food dishes are filled. If the dish is completely empty, they too are removed, washed and replaced with clean fresh dishes. This is done first thing in the morning and again at night. As we clean the cages, we will remove any of the covers, blankets, and hammocks that are soiled. Laundry is a daily job at the Shelter. Most of the odor that people complain about is from the blankets, hammocks and covers in the cage. Washing them frequently helps to keep the odor under control.
We do not transfer shelter ferrets from one facility to another unless they are coming from a facility that does not care for ferrets. We will then take these ferrets into our facility. Once the ferrets are here they either go to a new forever home or stay with us until they find a home.
Current Board Members and Helpers:
The Board of Directors consists of the following:
Brenda - Shelter Director
Reilly K., Charles K., , Kris D., Susann T., Peter B., Tori S.
Mary Ellen B. - It was during a Google search on ferrets that I somehow ended up looking at the website of a Ferret Shelter and Rescue in Ohio. It was through this site that I was introduced to the idea of sponsoring a ferret instead of outright adoption. I really like the idea of sponsoring,thus came the fated search words into the Google address box “Ferret Shelters in New York State”.
The search netted me three possibilities. A ferret shelter in Queens, New York, I happened upon a shelter by the name of Lakeroad. A really cool ferret animation! I like these people already and I haven’t clicked on a single page yet.
I started in the middle of June 2012 as a shelter supporter.
Kris D. - Current Board Member - It was 15 years ago that I got my first fur kid. I didn't know how much fun they would be and at the same time how many health problems they were prone to.
Unfortunately after some losses and no real help or answers I searched for a ferret knowledgeable vet. The search got me to the ferretfarm website and Doc Edwards for which I am very grateful.After a couple of years of Doc taking care of my ferrets he diagnosed my Ozzy with insulinoma. He suggested I visit the rescue
and meet Brenda. Ozzy and I visited that day.Brenda showed me how to check his BG and taught me about insulinoma and other ferret health problems. I try to learn every time I go to the rescue.
My husband and I live about 3 hours away in the Adirondacks. I am a far away Mom to my buddy Razzle. I didn't start volunteering until after I met Tina at my first Clinic Day. She and I try to get there when possible. I have learned a lot from Tina, Brenda,and Doc and have a lot more to learn. We are owned by our fur kids Odie, Mala, Dexter, Skully, Eris,our cat Rufus, and our buddy Ferg who left us in May.
Tina D. - Current Board Member - Approximately 16+ Years ago – my youngest son was begging me for a ferret – I said NO – I knew I would be the one taking care of it because we all know how 11 year olds are…. Then one day we were at a pet store and they had baby ferrets and who doesn’t think baby ferrets aren’t the cutest things in the world? Well we got one – went back a few days later and got another – first Buddy and then Honey – each of my boys had one – and I was the primary caretaker. Then a year later found a dark sable at the pet store and there was number 3 – Rocky. (This was before I realized there are shelters that I can adopt from and we all have to start somewhere!) A year or so later a man I worked with asked me to take his daughter’s ferret – Tweak…. I did and that’s just the beginning of my 50 or more ferrets…. Eventually I started volunteering at a local animal shelter and became the Crazy Ferret Lady there – that’s where most of my ferrets came from…. And one day I found Lakeroad Ferret Farm on Facebook and decided I really wanted to volunteer at an actual Ferret Rescue, yes it’s almost 2 hours from my house, but I reached out to Brenda and made arrangements to go for the first time on Labor Day weekend! I enjoyed going there so much and got to meet so many other ferrets and help them in lots of different ways!!!
Past Board Members and Helpers:
Ms. Brie - Past Board Secretary - I’d wanted ferrets since I was still a young teenager but mom said no. Well, can’t argue too much with the woman that feeds, clothes, and shelters you right? So I didn’t get my first munchkin until I was in my twenties.
My first ferret, Loka, was my birthday day present in 2002. And aside from a six month period I haven’t gone a day without my ferrets around.
In 2008/09 I found myself in a situation where I wasn’t able to give my ferrets the lifestyle that I preferred. I found the Shelter and went to visit, there was no question; I wanted to be a volunteer. I believe this was 2009, though it may have been 2008.
Shortly after starting with the Shelter my life took a turn for the 'unstable' and I found myself leaving my little girl, Loka at camp for a couple of months. While I missed her like crazy she had a blast, I may have toys, but camp has rooms of toys!
I came into the Shelter thinking that I knew something about ferrets, boy was I wrong. Brenda, Doc, and the kids at the Shelter have taught me soooooo much!
Now I try to get to the Shelter every couple of weeks to take care of whatever needs doing at the time. Cleaning, playing with the kids, or doing paperwork. So long as it doesn’t involve wasps, I’m good. ;-)
Ms. Iliana - Past Board member - Retired teacher, married, has 2 grown up sons, older son brought home first ferret in 2003. After first ferret earned her wings in May of 2009 I went looking to adopt another ferret, did a google search and came upon the Shelter. Began helping out around July? of 2009. Wanted to make use of my free time and seeing that the Shelter could benefit from some help I decided to come once a week and to be a far away mum to a couple of fuzzy butts and help monetarily that way too. I usually clean the rooms, mix food , play with the ferrets, trim their nails. Bring water jugs too.
Ms. Marcia - Past Board Member - Many years ago when I was first married, a little girl rang our doorbell and asked if we had seen her ferret. It was lost. I said, "I don't even know what a ferret is!" I don't know if she ever found her ferret but years later my college age son brought his new ferret home for the first time and I fell in love with Cicero and eventually became Cicero's full time Mom. My son's friend asked my son to take his ferret and I then became Vinnie's Mom, too!
Eventually, Vinnie developed adrenal disease and I couldn't find a local vet to help Vinnie. He was getting very weak and I had made plans to put him to sleep. Just before our appointment 2010 I found the Shelter's website and sent an email to Brenda saying how sad I was about Vinnie. Very early the next morning was an email from Brenda telling me about Dr. Edwards and because of Brenda and Doc I was able to have Vinnie for almost a whole year more.
Unfortunately, since Cicero and Vinnie's passing to rainbow bridge I have not been able to have my own ferrets. I think they are the most amazing animals and being able to help at the shelter is a blessing to me. Brenda and the Shelter are an inspiration to me!
Ms. Patty - Past Board Member - retired - I was raised in Hudson Falls, NY. My parents loved/cared for many animals during my childhood which is how my love of animals developed!
I live in Canton, NY, having retired from ALCOA in Massena, NY. One day I found a magazine about ferrets in 2002 I got my first ferret, Powder - he was the joy of my life.
I wanted to repay the happiness that Powder gave me; I decided to give a monetary gift to the most deserving ferret rescue. I found the Lakeroad Ferret Farm Rescue/Shelter Inc. on the web - a GUARANTEED "no-kill" place for orphaned/displaced ferrets! So LFFR/S got the gift.
When my 2 ferret-boys left for Rainbow Bridge I applied to LFFR/S to adopt a ferret. Shelter Director Brenda knew that with my health issues at the time and the lack of ferret knowledgeable veterinarians in our area I would be unable to get my ferret any ferret knowledgeable medical attention so the application was denied. My health has since improved and I now have a ferret I saved from Craig's list, I have had Panda in to see Doctor Edwards in Brockport, NY for vaccines and well visit check-up.
I try to provide the Shelter things that will help the shelter staff maintain the best of living conditions at the Shelter for the ferrets and those that work at the shelter to maintain the care of the fur kids. Along with physical donations to the shelter I also provide a monthly stipend to sponsor Teddy, Pickles, Hammy, and Frankie - all of whom have my love!
Ms. Wendy - Past Fund raising coordinator/photographer - Wendy L has been owned by ferrets since 2000. My first ferret being a Marshall Farm pet store ferret, he was sable, hob name Kirby that started this whole ferret madness. I live in Central New York with my husband Dan. I am owned by seven ferrets, cat, Quarter horse gelding, and Anglo Arab mare.
I am no stranger to the ferret community, I spent 6 years volunteering my time in the American Ferret Association organization (AFA) and showing my ferrets with the AFA. I am a moderator for Ferret.com ferret forum - April 2006 - present. I am past, President of CNY Safe Ferret Club – a local ferret club for 7 years. (Setup club meetings, ferret fun events, ferret awareness day at local pet stores, newsletter).
I met Shelter Mum, Brenda at one of the CNY Safe Ferret Club events. I kept in touch thru out the years. I attend Clinic Day 2011 and offered to take pictures of ferrets at the event as a fundraiser for the shelter. I had so much fun at clinic day that year, I suggest to shelter mum, Brenda how about doing another fundraiser in the fall for the shelter. Fall of 2011, we pulled together "Christmas in October" a fundraiser for the shelter.
Ms. Jackie Past ferret transport to and from OFD - Miss Jackie left us on September 30, 2014; she lost her battle with cancer. Jackie was our transportation volunteer. Always ready to run a fur kid to OFD at the drop of a hat.. Miss Jackie spent hours at the shelter raking the leaves in the yard, finding places to put the many rolls of paper towels and napkin that came in from our paper campaign or sitting on the floor hanging out with the fur kids.
Her heart was as big as the ocean.. she has left a very big hole in our hearts. You will be missed Miss Jackie.
"My husband and I moved to our cottage in Honeoye, NY in 2009. I received the ferret magazine and the shelter was mentioned in there. When we moved here I was hoping the shelter was still there so I called and talked to Brenda.
My love of ferrets and wanting to help was an answer to a prayer-it has rescued me at times! I help clean and play with the ferrets (tough job). I also pick up newspapers from stores for the shelter and at times make runs to Brockport with fur kids that need to see Doc. Love the shelter and Brenda!"
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