These guys are caged almost all the time, I think almost all day, every day.  The last time I was there, it took me two hours on two different nights throughly clean the cage.  The cage is roughly 36" high, 30" deep, and 36" wide. (Is that even the right size for 3 fuzzies?)  The owners clearly haven't taken the time to litter box train Clyde--Cloud and Chloe just use the litter box.  All of their nails are really super long--I'm not sure if they trim them at all, but then again I don't know how long they should be.  The mom bought them for her 11 yr. old son because he wanted them.  She's not home all the time, and he thinks as long as they are fed, they are taken care of.

I love animals and believe that you should be a responsible pet owner no matter what type of pet you have.  And quite frankly, these 3 fuzzies have won me over, and I can clearly see why people love owning ferrets.  These guys are just as sweet as can be, and are hilarious to watch and play with.  I even got Clyde to respond to my whistle.  It breaks my heart to see these guys like this, and I've considered asking them to just give them to me. 

I've shared things I've learned about ferrets with the owners, hoping they'll take better care of them, but it hasn't seemed to work.  I hate to come flat out and say they should probably give them up (especially since a really good gig and I need the extra money).  But these fuzzies need more than what they are getting.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can deal with or educate the owners?  Anything else would be helpful too since I'm learing as I go with these guys.

Sorry this post is so long.  I just don't know what to do.

Thanks everyone!

Sorry to hear this news.

You've got to ask YOURSELF what you should

do. What I mean is what is important to YOU,

the animals (ferts) OR the "gig". I would do what it takes to do what's right for the ferts!!!

If you want more input, try here.

www.thelazyhammockferretforum.com

It's a VERY active forum with many members.

Yes... Ferrets need Out Time, Clean Cages,

Clipped Nails and a Ferret Knowledgable Vet.

 I can go on but you know what  I'm getting at.

I think YOU should "rescue" these guys. They

need it. Go do what ya gotta do. Good Luck.

Keep us posted (most of the "one timers" don't.).

Later, Matt K.

Oh yeah... I bet they're overweight too.

I'm thinkin' we're wasting our breath (fingers).

This one's a "one timer". Getting tired of worrying about

the fuzzies mentioned by OT's. Have YOU tried the "Hammock"???

Pretty cool forum. VERY active, friendly AND fast.

Darklight and Monkeypoohbear are there as well.

Anyway, Gotta go, Matt K.

Matt.. don't be so certain about OT. I understand your frustration and I'm 100% with you.... it's very frustrating to hear sad stories about a fuzzy...being asked for help or suggestion and not knowing what happened whether things turned out well for the ferrets or no change or whatever..It's heartbreaking...but even if you never hear from these peeps again.. at least.. personally I hope that they come back to read what we have to say.. maybe make a difference in those fuzzies' lives. I like to think that since we don't hear from them... it means that their problem is solved...I just like to think.....and hope...

I think that if the mom got them because the son wanted them.. the whole family is probably satisfied... as long as the spoiled bratt has "his ferrets".. and not one but three!

I'd do the same thing...I'd talk to the family and tell them that the ferrets need lot more than food and water... and that it's for their best if given away....but for some reason I don't think it's going to work...

Hopefully, we'll hear something and it better be good...

[]No ferrets? No fun![]

http://skunklove.myphotoalbum.com

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it.  Things have been busy, and I apologize for not keeping you updated better.

I have talked with the mom several times since I first placed my post.  She knows NOTHING about ferrets, but was responding well to education and was taking all the necessary steps to educate her son.  I know that she really does want whats best for them, the problem is that she is still too busy to enforce any consistancy with him.

My co-worker, Jen, and I both help this family out, but Jen sees them much more frequently than I do so she has been keeping me updated on the little guys.  She is normally there at least twice a week, but last night was the first time in almost ten days, and apparently Jen was pretty upset about the ferrets.  Long story short--both Jen and the mom told the son that if he doesn't start stepping up in taking better care of the ferrets, they are going to be given to someone that will.

Jen and I have already talked about the fact that even though I can't keep them forever, I'm certainly willing to foster them until I can find someone who can.  (Although, somehow I think I'll end keeping them--I really like these guys).  Time will tell on that.

I'm at least happy that mom is in the mind set to give them a better home.  I'm going to talk with her to find out what kind of time frame she had in mind for her son.

Please be patient with me--I only have internet at work, and it's, well, work.  But I promise to continue keeping all of you updated on how Cloud, Chloe and Clyde are doing. 

Amy

As promised here's just a little update.

The mom has been spending more time with Cloud, Chloe and Clyde and stepping in where her son is failing.  But things still look like they might give them up.

Good news is that I found a permanent home for them, since I know I can't keep them.  I spoke with an old friend of mine and he told me that he didn't know anyone looking for any ferrets, but he would be happy to take all three which would bring his count to five.  To use his words, "it would be lots of fun."

So now it's up to mom.  Here's hoping she follows through.

Amy