From:
"Barb ~ Alphajill"
Date: 2011-08-10 14:41:22 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Update on Introduction of New Ferret
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Dear Lisa,
I understand all of your motivations, and they were selfless, you wanted what was best.
As a shelter op I'm contacted often about acquiring a cagemate for a surviving ferret. This is where age of the new ferret becomes critical. One of the examples I use in discouraging a kit with an older, even grieving/stressed ferret, is; Imagine a 16 yr old girl having her parents move her 6 yr old sister into her bedroom. The situation is going to have socialization problems from the get go. A perfect match and happy co-habitation is the exception.
For these reasons and others, I am pro-adoption regardless of age. So many of my 3 - 7 yr old shelter ferrets make the most wonderful and welcomed companions for households with a surviving ferret. The activity level and maturity is a match, and the risk of stress is minimized. An older grieving ferret does not necessarily, there are of course exceptions, want a bouncing obnoxious kit brought into their hammock and household. I enjoy all adoptions, but when I can place an older ferret with a mission to help an existing grieving ferret as a new companion, well, it's one of the best rehomings ever!
I know it's lessons learned the hard way, we are all learning, always and still. Stress is a critical health concern, and it's another preemptive strike to know the subtle signs and have a medical and environmental response ready in case it does happen.
Your post touched my heart, and I sure do hope that all will be ok.
Affectionately,
Barb Clay
Shelter Rep/The Ferret Council
Dir of Shelter Affairs
Rocky's Ferret Rescue and Shelter
Parkton, MD
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