[scabs]

Hi Starling, she is absolutely gorgeous!

LIke Val says, if I were nearer to you I'd jump at the chance (and give you visitor's rights, naturally!   )

I know it is tempting to keep her, I certainly would, but if you do I would strongly recommend having more than one - they are extremely clever, playful, inquisitive and social and it doesn't really do them a great deal of favours to keep them on their own.

I also wouldn't recommend the RSPCA, it is well publicised lately that they are struggling to rehome dogs and I would have doubts about ferrets - why not see if there are any local independent animal sanctuaries, many of which are better 'connected' with keepers and breeders alike (though they tend to frown on ferret breeders).

James Wellbeloved is superb, if a bit pricey, and Pets at Home do an own-brand version that my guys wolf down just as happily. A pouch of meaty cat food every other day goes down well, as well as little treats as mentioned above.

An onion bag full of straw provides endless hours of fun and a length of pipe is bliss! I also got a very cheap hammock that they love to chill out in!  

If you have any problems, some of the long-time keepers on my thread will be only too happy to talk to you, I'm sure - and I'm always here as a last resort!  

Fred and Phoebe have brought a lot of happiness to our family and I hope you can keep your beautiful girl!

Cheers,
Scabs

[scabs]

I missed Mobilekat's post the first time around, very good advice if you decide against keeping her. 

[Starling]

Hi Scabs,

I did sneak a peek at Pheobe and Fred yesterday, they are beautiful.

I have emailed Mercia Ferret rescue and the Ferret Forum for help tracing the owner.  I hope I am wrong and she has escaped from someone who is missing her. 

She is still sleeping, she has come out for loo breaks and water - still no food - then goes back in to sleep, is this normal or should I be rushing her to the vets?

[scabs]

I keep mine outside and bring them in for play time, and we find that between bursts of high octane play, they do sleep a lot.

The fact that she's not eating may well be down to stress - if she has been dumped and/or mistreated, it wouldn't be surprising... It may just be me, but her fur looks a little bedraggled in your photo. I'm sure she'll come around but a visit to the vet would be the very best idea, just to make sure she's not picked something up.

You never know, it could be why she was dumped.   

If she is taking on water and going to the loo, that's a good sign at least.

Please, please let me know how you get on.

She is lucky to have found a family that cares. 
Andrew

[arugula]

That's a shame Starling.

[Starling]

I know

[Starling]

Update.
Have just had an email from "ferret help" they are going to post her details on all the forums.  I have told them we are happy to foster her while we are looking.
She has woken up a bit more and we have caught her stashing kibble in her bedding

OH didn't get back in time for the precautionary vet check so I have detailed her condition to the ferret help people to see if they think she needs to go.  Hopefully it was just stress as scabs said and her long rest has done the trick. 
Will try and get some more photos next time she is active.
Thanks again everyone for all your help

[scabs]

 

[Starling]

Took the ferret to the vets this morning to see if she had a microchip - no chip- but someone had phoned looking for a sandy covered ferret with a shaved belly.  So she is in the care of the vet awaiting her owners. 
A happy ending for everyone Except a very sad little boy, we did explain we couldn't keep it all along but she certainly made herself fit right in.
Thanks again everyone.

[joyfull]

Hopefully the owners may let little boy visit the ferret.
So pleased that it was obviously somebodies pet and not dumped 

[Starling]

I know I feel terrible for making that asumption now

[joyfull]

I think it was an assumption that everybody would have made especially when pet rescue places have loads dumped on them.

[scabs]

It was certainly my first thought - despite the fact that Fred has escaped twice now! 

Delighted that all ends well and a big pat on the back for doing all the right things.

Now, let's help get you set up with a few of your own... 

[Starling]

A lovely couple have just been round to thank us for finding "Squeak" and brought a bottle of wine and some chocs with them.
They told  me they manage to kept 4 in their flat, so maybe we could squeeze in 2 with the 2 children

[joyfull]

Oh how nice of them and so pleased that they have managed to convince you that you can keep a couple. Best get off to the shops for the ferret leads and collars then