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Shelter Friends & Helpers |
Brenda - Shelter Mum & Dr. Edwards - Veterinarian
I was new to ferrets so I did not know the veterinarian I was using was not ferret knowledgeable, although she said she was, until I went for a second opinion because my ferret was not getting any better.
Marianna had what I thought was an eye infection; she had a puffy face around her right eye, she was not eating, was very sick and lethargic. I took her to the veterinarian I had used for my cat. The vet checked the ferret over and told me she could not find anything wrong with her she sent us home.
Fortunately I had access to ferret knowledgeable friends and they told me about Dr. Allen Edwards in Brockport, NY. I scheduled my little Marianna for an appointment to see Dr. Edwards, in the mean time the hospital called in a prescription for an antibiotic cream to use for Marianna’s eye until we could get her in to see Dr Edwards.
As I walked into the exam room with Marianna, Dr. Edwards looked at her, lightly touched her puffed up face and said, "she has an abscessed tooth" at the same time the infection squirted out of her eye and across the room from the light touch of his fingers. Dr. Edwards became our ferret knowledgeable vet from that day forward.
I left Marianna there for her tooth removal and never went back to the first veterinarian.
Current Board Members:
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. - 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.
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!"
Wolfy:
Saturday morning I called the hospital to check on Wolfy, they said he was improving. I was not off the phone 10 minutes when Mary called to give me a full report.
It is all good new, his BG is good, red blood cell count good, he is now eating and drinking. His poops are now formed and color is good. Mary and Dr. Pepper – Dr Edwards has gone on vacation - are treating him for Coccidia and he is responding so he is going to stay with Mary at the hospital at least until Monday. Mary said she could not feel anything in his tummy that she felt was a problem so life is good at the farm and the hospital.
Thanks Miss Mary for helping us out. Thanks to all of you that responded to our plight and the prayers you sent along with him to the hospital. Shelter Mum Brenda