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Post by bluemoose on Mar 27, 2011 15:19:38 GMT -5
Unfortunately I really don't think I can keep my ferrets any longer. I work full time and go to school so I don't have time to let them out of the cage four hours a day so they have free roam of my room. However they've completely destroyed it to the point where I don't want to go in there anymore. There's always poop everywhere because they only use the seven litter boxes about half the time despite them being cleaned daily and there are animal bones everywhere because they don't keep the food in the den. I clean in there all the time but I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.
I would put up with all of that except I feel like the ferrets aren't really pets, they're just animals. I'm not saying everyone's relationship with their ferrets is this way but ferrets aren't what I thought they would be. The only time they're interested in me is when they want food. I try to play with them, I try to pet them, cuddle them, ect. but they don't want it. I feel like they're more interested in everything but me which isn't what I look for in a pet. I did my research before I got these animals, I tried to do everything right, I gave them months and months to bond with me and it just isn't happening. On top of that I can't have my dog in my room because he'll eat their food and litter.
I don't know what to do. This is CA so the only way I can really rehome them is through Craigslist. I would miss them a lot but I can't be kicked out of my own room. I also worry they would go to someone who wouldn't care for them properly and I'm sure they wouldn't get a raw diet anymore. I don't know.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 27, 2011 15:26:08 GMT -5
Oh, no. I'm so sorry this has turned out like this for you. I thought you were doing so well with them AND that they had a wonderful home with you! Have you tried contacting wtferret on here? He's in Ca if I remember correctly. Or even legalizeferrets.org/ ?
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Post by whipple on Mar 27, 2011 15:27:44 GMT -5
I'm so sorry, but it's understandable. Sometimes we knee to get in waist deep before we realize it's just not for us. I've been there before, rabbits and I just are not a good fit, lol.
It seems like you have an outdoor set-up, could they stay out during the day? As long as they have a covered area, ferrets can totally live outside. But if it doesn't work, then finding a good home for them is the best idea. You can't force it. ((hugs))
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Post by shilohismygirl on Mar 27, 2011 15:49:41 GMT -5
I am so sorry things have turned out this way. Every person bonds with ferrets differently, and every relationship is different. I am so sorry you feel this way. I hope you find someone who can take them that will give them a wonderful home. Cleaning up after free roamers is often a full time job in and of itself, and the way they show affection is a lot different than with many animals. I am sure that there are some great ferrents hopefully near you that could take your babies.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2011 15:51:12 GMT -5
I'm sorry that things have turned out this way for you... I would suggest either trying to find a rescue or maybe even a quick note on the FML for help in rehoming them....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2011 15:55:14 GMT -5
I am sorry, and I can understand; a fuzz takes a lot of time and energy, something that's difficult if you're working and going to school... A rescue? Something in a neighboring state that doesn't have the same outlook on ferrets as CA? Best of luck, and a cuddle for the fuzzes from me!
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Post by maddiesmom on Mar 27, 2011 17:53:45 GMT -5
I've also been there before, with lovebirds. I was knee deep into them and their care, when I found out I was severly allergic AND I didn't really like them. They were really loud, and they bit. Hard. As a huge animal lover, it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make (to re-home them), and I was sick (because of the allergies) the whole time they were here (((((hugs))) I wish you & the fuzzies good luck & good vibes on finding a fabulous home!!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2011 18:47:34 GMT -5
I understand completely. Ferrets are a HUGE pain-in-the-butt, expensive, difficult-to-care-for animal that should NEVER have been domesticated. Case in point: If you cannot neuter them without jeopardizing their long-term health, they're a poor choice for a "pet" animal. But, they ARE domesticated.....
Anyway, here is a another option that might help you re-home them...Ferrets Across America helps to transport ferrets out of California. If someone is willing to take them, transportation can be arranged. You may even be able to get them transported to a reputable Shelter that is out-of-state. A reputable shelter wll be good at finding your ferrets good homes.
-jennifer
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Post by Heather on Mar 27, 2011 19:09:10 GMT -5
I'm sorry that these little guys have turned out not to be what you were looking for in a pet. They are not the easiest to love or care for and are not for everyone. Hopefully, you can find them a happy, healthy home. I wish you luck ciao
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2011 19:13:54 GMT -5
awe, I'm so sorry that it turned out this way for you. i thought things were going along great. i would totally take them in, except I'm in canada and my parents would kill me if i brought more pets in the house.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Mar 27, 2011 19:18:20 GMT -5
That really sucks. How many ferrets do you own? If they are making a mess, i would put them in their cage while you are out. You can't have your room a mess like that. Raw feeding can get messy because they stash things everywhere and you really have to be on top of them and find their stashes. If there are bones everywhere and you are gone most of the day then consider switching to grain free kibble like EVO. I stopped using litter boxes 18 years ago. I just put newspaper down at the corners and I change them out and clean the floor that is underneath the newspaper each day. Tile floors make it a lot easier. I also had ferrets when I was in college and law school and I also worked etc. So I know it is hard and I barely saw my ferrets back then. I only saw them about 2 hours a day. Talk to a ferret vet because sometimes they know people that will take them. I hope they can all stay together at least (if any are bonded). Good luck.
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Post by katt on Mar 27, 2011 19:22:23 GMT -5
Welcome back! We have missed you around here! I am sorry that you feel the need to rehome your fuzzies. I can understand though. They are messy, destructive, time consuming, and expensive. Thay are just not a pet for everyone. Better that you recognize this and find them a new home where they can get the attention they need than to continue to stress yourself out (which in turn stresses them out) over it and potentially have them not get the attention that they need. I had the same thing happen with geckos. I Loved my geckos, but then some financial stuff came up, and I realized ho much it was stressing me out having cages all over and that they bored me. I still love them, but they just aren't interactive enough, and are too easy to lose if they don't have 100% of your attention while out. They were more of a display pet to me and I felt that was unfair to them. That said please think about this a bit too. I felt the same way, and was stressed and frustrated. I rehomed several of my reptiles, including the gecos and my skink. While I miss the geckos, I do not regret rehoming them. The skink I highly regret. I get very sad jsut thinking about it and wish I could go back and take him back. Sadly, I have not been able to get in contact with the family that bought him. Just be sure, like 10000000% SURE that this is what you WANT and NEED to do first. I know that you won't make a rash decision,but it is easy to do things we later regret when we are feeling overwhelmed with stress. And ferrets are good at creating stress! ;D Maybe make a list of reasons why you want to keep them, and why you want to rehome them...? I wish you the best in finding them homes if you do decide that is the right choice. I would take Kiwi in a second if I knew there was a way to get her here, and if I would not worry about the impact of separating her form Tonks and Mango. If anyone wants to take a scenic drive and come see Alaska.... *hint-hint* haha Ferret Across America is a great resource, as well as other ferret Forums, like this one, Ferret.com forum, and Ferret Harmony. I would recommend posting in various forums. Please keep us posted!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2011 19:31:48 GMT -5
Don't feel bad about feeling you want to give them a different home. You are obviously wanting them to go somewhere good, so it's not as if you're just throwing them out!
It's alright. I can most definitely relate. Since our guys went up to 4 ferrets (now 5), I realize I don't have time for friends or family as much since I always have to do the traveling and with letting them out 4 hours a day EACH (which sometimes they get separated into 3 groups due to sicknesses, etc), it gets to be pretty hard.
Craigslist isn't so bad either, as long as you meet them and if you want to, even say you need to see their home before you rehome them. Tell them they need to provide certain information to you, or that you'll have a short questionnaire if they contact you about ferrets that you need to do over the phone or in person to ensure they know what they are getting into and have done their research.
I did this with my cats when my mother and I rehomed them.
And if you want, most people would be fine with you contacting them later and asking how they are or getting pictures.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and that they are not getting enough time out, then it's fine to rehome them.
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Post by taratee on Mar 27, 2011 20:05:40 GMT -5
Maybe you could find someone to watch them for a fuzzy vacation? get your room together and nice and clean, its much easier to decide you want to keep then to try and get them back later. I understand being overwhelmed I dont even have a job right now so I cant even imagine how stressed youre feeling. if you have to rehome them I personally will be here for you to send virtual hugs your way everyone gets into sticky situations where they feel they have to make decisions you dont really want to. if you dont want to rehome them id try to find a way to make it work, get everything really clean and stay on top of it reteach litter boxes, buy some linoleum and put it down.
I can certainly relate with feeling fed up, and speaking from experience feeling fed up is much better then regret from making a decision you dont feel is right (this goes for both situations of keeping them or getting rid of them)
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Post by bluemoose on Mar 28, 2011 2:38:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the support and ideas everyone. I decided to house them outside at least while the weather is nice. I moved their FN 142 into the outdoor enclosure so they can go in and out of the FN into the enclosure. I'll still give them daily attention of course but it'll be so nice to have my room back. I think some space from them will help before I make any irreversible decisions. As some of you said, I don't want to rehome them and then regret it later which I probably would. I'm just very stressed with work, just having midterms and PUPPIES. Omg the puppies. First the bf got a German Shepherd puppy which was fine because it lived with him. Then two days after getting Booth, the bf is out walking him and Booth finds two five week old abandoned pit pups out in a field. The bf can't keep them (he rents a room in a house and is only allowed one pet) so I take them in. They weren't house trained so I was constantly having to clean up their pen and any time they were left alone they cried, cried, cried. I kept them for 10 days trying to find them a home but it was always, "I'd love a puppy! Oh they're pit bulls? Never mind then." It was enough to make me scream because none of those people know anything about pits except what the media tells them. I finally decided to take them to a shelter as puppies are almost always adopted. Here they are on their last day with me: Then the same day I get the pits off my hands, I have to take the bf's 10 week old GSD puppy because his house mate's found out their daughter was allergic to him. So now I'm caring for him until the bf finds a new place on top of all my other pets, school (which starts back up tomorrow), and work. It's a little overwhelming but I don't want to rehome the ferrets over it unless I really have to. Here's Booth. He's a butt load of trouble but I love the little guy. Day we brought him home at 8 weeks: Cooling off in the grass with Fenrir on his first walk: Today's walk two weeks later. You can see his ears staring to come up =D Those adorable puppy faces are the main reason I've been so stressed the past couple weeks lol
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