Triangle Ferret Lovers Newsletter

Issue 3, January 1996


Our goal is to promote the welfare of the domestic ferret through public awareness, and increase the enjoyment of ferret ownership by providing information and activities.

Table of Contents

  1. I'm having problems litter-training. What do I do?from Pamela Greene's Ferret FAQ
  2. Next TriFL Meeting
  3. January 6 Meeting Notes
  4. Are You Online?
  5. How do I train my pet not to nip? from Pamela Greene's Ferret FAQ
  6. Getting your pet's picture in the newsletter or on the Web
  7. Recommended Books and Magazine...
  8. Renaissance Faire
  9. How to Trace a Lost Ferret by the Metro Ferret Rescue of Germantown, MD
  10. Emergency Contacts and Poison Control
  11. Shelter Information and Contacts
  12. Newsletter Address

Next TriFL Meeting

Mark you calendar for the next TRIFL meeting: Saturday, February 3th at Karen Marsh-Lovvorn's home. You are welcome to bring your up-to-date vaccinated, non-aggressive ferret/s for group playtime from 2pm-3pm. Our meeting will begin at 3pm, after the fuzzballs are placed back into their carriers. Call Karen for directions, 596-9393. Please come join us! If weather does not permit, fuzzball meeting is Sunday the 4th - same fert-time, same fert-place.

January 6th Meeting Notes

1) Where were you? 2) TRIFL still needs to locate a permanent meeting place, large enough for 25+ people. 3) Members are ready to set a date for Cage Building; handymen need apply. Contact Val Olszyk @ 544-1354. 4) The area vet list was supplied to Karen Marsh-Lovvorn so that a vet questionaire can be mailed out. 5) TRIFL needs knowlegeable people to assist in designing/ building a permanent display exhibit. Considerations are table size, table rap, and signage. 6) We are in need of people to assist in completing the pet store inventory list. Call Jeff Johnston for more info @ 315- 3339.

And last, but certaintly not least,

7) Donations are needed to keep up with the costs of producing and mailing out the TRIFL monthly newsletter. Please send check or cash to Shari Gunter at the return address. (No pesos, please.)


Are you On-Line?

World Wide Web page addresses
TriFL Web Page -
http://www.trifl.org/

Ferret Central -
http://www.ferretcentral.org/gallery.html

TRIangle Ferret Lovers E-Mail address

trifl@phy.duke.edu

TriFL Subscription address
trifl-request@phy.duke.edu

Subscription information for the City University of New York Ferret Mailing List (FML)

ferret-request@cunyvm.cuny.edu
1) To receive the FAQ which discuses the FML in greater detail send mail to:
listserv@cunyvm.cuny.edu
with SEND FML FAQ as a single line in the mail.
2) To receive the FAQ on ferret care send mail to:
listserv@cunyvm.cuny.edu
with SEND ANSWERS PACKAGE FERRET as a single line in the mail.

Getting your pet's picture in the Newsletter of on the Web

This is a picture of Billy Ray holding Chipper and Gina, Shari Gunter's beloved girls. See more pictures of them on the TRIFL web page.

You too can have your ferret/s' picture in the TRIFL newsletter, but you need to bribe the editor (Shari).

Pam Dutcher has volunteered to scan your fuzzy's picture into the TRIFL web site. Please contact her for more information at pam@phy.duke.edu


Recommended Books & Magazine...

A Practical Guide to Ferret Care by Deborah Jeans. Call (800) 988-0988 for purchasing information.

Ferrets: Pet Onwer's Manual by Chuck and Fox Morton. Available at your local bookstore or library.

Ferrets by Dr. Wendy Winsted. Available at your local bookstore or library.

Biology and Diseases of the Ferret by James G. Fox. (Veterinary textbook published in 1988.)

Modern Ferret, The Ferret Lifestyle Magazine, write PO Box 338, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 for subscription information.


Renaissance Faire

Update: As most of you know, TRIFL will be presenting an educational exhibit on ferrets at Raleigh's 2nd Annual Renaissance Faire, on Saturday April 26 from 10:00am-8:00pm, and Sunday, April 27 from 1:00-8:00pm at Unity Church. We need people to help build and man our rented 10'x 10' booth, as well as, provide information and demonstrations "on stage" at various times thourghout the weekend. Sign up sheets will be at the February meeting or call Karen Marsh- Lovvorn @ 596-9393. This will be a lot of fun and a breat positive publicity for the club and our furry firends. Please volunteer, even if it's just for a few hours on faire day, or help with construction.

If you plan to carry your ferret around the faire or particpate in the demonstrations, please bring an appropriate carry bag and/or harness and leash. If you really want to be authentic a leather or braided rope/fabric harness would work well. Creativity is a plus! Feel free to bring songs, poems, stories, props, or teach your ferret a few tricks to show off. You can even dress them in costumes. Hands-on is very important, and audience participation is a big part of the atmosphere, so please bring only your even-tempered and child-friendly fuzzball.

Costum makers will be available to help you decide on your dress, if you need assistance. More information will be available at the February 3rd meeting at Karen's house. (Karen & Joseph might get us charged-up by setting an example and dressing in period style. Hint. Hint.)


How To Trace A Lost Ferret...

by the Metro Ferret Rescue of Germantown, MD

1) Check through your house carefully, including places where your ferret 'could not possibly go.' Look inside drawers, under dressers, in hampers, under and inside refrigerators, dryers, dishwasher, etc.

2) Check your backyard, bushes, and garage. Most ferrets when exploring a new area will cling to the side of a building or structure before venturing out into an open area.

3) Ask your neighbors and especially neighborhood children. Kids spend more time outside than adults do and a new 'creature' roaming the block will surely catch their attention. Ask permission to enter neighbor's sheds or garages and ask your neighbors to check their dryer vents to see if the ferret may have climbed into them.

4) Post notices and pictures of your ferret wherever possible - bulletin boards at grocery stores, libraries, pet stores, gas stations. Be sure to go back and take them down again once your pet is back safe at home.

5) Alert your mailman, newspaper person, and anyone else who passes through your area frequently.

6) Call your local police, city pound, and animal shelters. If possible, give them a picture of your ferret or a very detailed description. Does your ferret have any ear tatoos or distinguishing marks to make identification easier? Check back frequently since they may be too busy to call you.

7) Place your ferret's cage or carrier outside with some of his bedding in it. Sometimes they can smell their way home. Check the cage frequently for signs of their return.

8) Place an ad in your local newspaper. Give a detailed description of your pet; when it was lost; and the general area where it was lost. You don't have to list an address, but be sure to list your phone number.


Emergency Contacts

After Hours Emergency Clinic 409 Vick Ave., Raleigh, NC 781-5145

SPCA of Wake County 503 US 70 East, Garner, NC 834-3586

Poison Control Center Information:

National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC)
1-900-680-0000 ($20/first 5 min, $2.95 ea add'l min)
1-800-548-2423 ($30 flat rate on your credit card)


SHELTER INFORMATION & CONTACTS

Please support your local ferret shelters. If you are unable to donate financially, they can also use ferret/kitten food, old t-shirts, sweatshirts, towels, toys, water bottles, food dishes and other ferret accessories, laundry detergent, and paper towels. The following biographies are of three adorable ferrets who are in need of a loving person/family:

Cinnabar: 2 year old spayed female sable mitt, long-time companion to Spanky (see next bio). Not descented, but musks only if badly frightened. Very friendly and people-oriented. She came to the shelter in October. Congenitally deaf (not that it bothers her!). Does well with children and cats, but a bit aggressive toward some other ferrets. Favorite toys: Spanky, hairdryer, things that roll, plastic bags. She likes to get into cabinets and 'explore.' Foods: Marshall's, Totally Ferret. Treats: Raisins (never more than 2 a day with any ferret, please!), Ferretone, cooked ground turkey. Must be adopted with her pal Spanky. Litter box and nip trained.

Spanky: 2 year old neutered/descented (Marshall Farms ferret) male albino. He came to the shelter in October with Cinnabar (see above bio). Easygoing and more 'laid back' than long-time companion, Cinnabar. At the shelter we call him 'Baloo of the ferret kingdom.' Likes most other ferrets, children, and cats. Favorite toys: Cinnabar, bell balls, plastic bags, the shower. Foods: Marshall's, Totally Ferret. Treats: Raisins, Ferretone, Nutri-Cal/Ferret-Vite. Must be adopted with best friend Cinnabar. Litter box and nip trained.

Fuji: 1 year old spayed (but not descented) female sable with gorgeous markings who came to the shelter in December. Very active, energetic and playful with people, but shy around other ferrets, cats, and children. Favorite toys: the Christmas tree (see first article). Foods: Marshall's, Science Diet. Treats: Ferretone.

Please contact Karen Marsh-Lovvorn of Rogues Gallery at 596-9393, or Linda Goodwin of Guardian Angels at 362-8460, if you can adopt a shelter ferret!


TriFL Newsletter Address


TRIangle Ferret Lovers

PO Box 61091

Raleigh, NC  27661-1091


Shari Gunter is the TriFL Newsletter editor. Please contact Shari at sharidiane@aol.com if you have questions about TriFL Newsletter content.

This web page is maintained by Pam Sessoms. I can be reached at: pjdutche@email.unc.edu.


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