My Foster Kids

Tink · 17-04-2010, 12:16 AM

Well I have been wanting to volunteer lately at my local humane society and wildlife rehab but the problem for me is I'm now always able to drive to these locations. Been thinking about fostering for awhile now but kept talking myself out of it. Well this last weekend I got this message that I can only explain as ESP. It was like an alarm going off saying "Come get me. I need help". The feeling persisted over the last week and wouldn't even allow me to sleep so I relented and set up an appointment with our local ferret shelter to meet some furkids who needed a foster home.
I am now a Foster Mom for two ferrets in need.
They have been living in the shelter for the past 2 years approximately. A boy (age 7) who I am calling Cooper and a girl (age 5) I am calling Winnie.
Cooper is a retired breeder ferret. He is a very sweet boy (with a case of rat tail) and no other known issues besides no one wants to adopt a 7 year old ferret, it seems. He gets along with most ferrets and is curious and active.
Winnie was the one who needed me the most. She is five but much more fragile. Skin and bones and blind in one eye. She was found wandering the streets and no one has claimed her for the last two years. She's quite picky about who she bonds with and was isolated until she found Cooper to cuddle up with. She gets startled by other playful ferrets easily we believe because of the blindness. She is not thriving in the shelter like she could be in a home and the goal for her is to get her to put on weight and learn how to play (she doesn't seem to know how). She's very sensitive.
Cooper is a lovebug that says "I want out of the cage, lemme stretch my legs!!" but is also happy to get his back scratched and give hugs. Winnie is much more introverted, gives kisses on the mouth, and just wants to be near you (I held her in a baby sling for quite awhile when we got home and she already likes it very much and has come back for more cuddles). She is definitely a lap ferret who likes peace and quiet.
Unless there is an issue on my end, the shelter mom and I have agreed that this should be a permanent foster situation. She also believes it'd be hard to find a home for them not only because they are "seniors" but they must stay together. She thinks Winnie would have not had the will to live if it wasn't for Cooper.
Luckily I have extra cage room and space to run two different playgroups and I can keep these fosters separate as not to stress them while still providing out of cage/run time

And on to the pics!!
Cooper

Winnie

Cooper

Winnie

Cooper

Winnie

Tink · 17-04-2010, 12:19 AM

I've gotten Winnie to eat some high fat food which is promising. She is a bit wobbly so I had to put some pillows as she has trouble maneuvering the ramp in the cage. They are on the top level of the huge cage K got me two Xmas' ago seperated and blocked off from my kids (not going to even think about introducing them unless Winnie gets some meat on her and adjusts I don't want her to stress out).

random · 17-04-2010, 12:22 AM

Tink! So so lovely to see you back and lovely babies! Cooper looks very cheeky and Winnie is such a poppet. K looks so so sooooo much better now! Hope you are all well. x

Tink · 17-04-2010, 12:26 AM

Thanks! Yes K's lost tons of weight and is only now getting his appetite back which is great to see him enjoy food again.
Cooper is quite cheeky and such a young spirit for his age! Winnie is very delicate and lovely. The shelter mom had some tears in her eyes as she hugged them goodbye yesterday, she's grown quite fond of them but she was telling them it'll be much nicer for them to have a home where they can run and have personal attention now. Cooper and Winnie are quite the odd couple, very opposite. He is huge and feels like solid dead weight and she feels like a skeleton with fur! Going to the store today to pick up some heavy whipping cream to mix in her soup. She is a very sensitive girl.

dandysmom · 17-04-2010, 02:46 AM

Oh bless you for taking in those two oldies!They'll be able to live out their lives in a happy home; I'm sure Winnie will get some meat on those bones with your care.

Mags · 17-04-2010, 10:03 AM

You're not a person to turn your back on any unfortunate animal, so I'm not surprised to see these two lovelies, Tink

Good on you for offering these two some love and care

angieh · 17-04-2010, 02:06 PM

They are two lucky ferrets, Tink! I am sure if anyone can make Winnie well again, you can.

Tink · 17-04-2010, 05:22 PM

Aww thanks for the vote of confidence guys. Miss Winnie did not want to eat much today so I whipped up some kitten replacer milk and she LOVED it. Think I'll do at least several supplemental feedings during the day till she gets some weight on.
Cooper danced for me today, he loves socks and is such a goofball still at his age, very "happy go lucky" ferret.

calismum · 18-04-2010, 10:24 AM

Great that you could do this Tink. I'm sure they will both flourish in your TLC.

alexgirl73 · 18-04-2010, 11:25 AM

awwwwwwwwwwww, they are gorgeous

And very lucky to have ended up with you. Looking forward to hearing how they get on x

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