The Mission of FURRY
FURRY has risen from a void left in the St. Louis metropolitan area. In order to survive FURRY needs a strong community that understands the need for it to exist.
We are always looking for help. If you are willing to give help, in any way, to the only ferret rescue in St Louis, please feel free to contact us. If you try to contact any of the ferret shelters listed on any of the large ferret sites, you will find many of them have closed their doors. Late 2005 it looked like the same fate was in store for FURRY. There is a small group of us who are determined to continue the success furry had as a shelter, but we can’t do it alone. We currently do not have a central location for the shelter. All ferrets are in foster, and adoptions are arranged either through our adoption days at PetsMart or by contacting us about a ferret you saw on Petfinder.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. There is no one within FURRY who receives any compensation for being a FURRY member or board member.
This site is committed to be your site as well as a presence for FURRY Ferret Rescue. But to achieve that goal, we need your input. Please use the contact form to send us what you think will be beneficial to you as a ferret owner. We already have many features in the works, and are just waiting to get all the details in place.
FURRY Ferret Rescue began because of a need. A small group of individuals saw that a ferret rescue was needed in the St. Louis area that would be all volunteer, yet be professional. We hope that you will join and share with our community of members and volunteers.
Who is FURRY Ferret Shelter
FURRY Ferret Rescue was reborn March 2006 by a small group of volunteers who decided to work to bring back a once successful ferret shelter.
FURRY Ferret Rescue is a non-profit 501(3)(c) organization.
We do not ship ferrets, nor do we breed.
Through the doors of our shelter, and many like ours both ferret and non ferret pass a variety of animals and personalities. Some loved, some abused, some from homes where the former owner had no clue on care but purchased the animal on impulse, just to find they cannot deal with the training. We are dedicated to finding loving, caring homes for every ferret. If a ferrets’ health or age does not allow for adoption, we care for that ferret until its natural death. We NEVER put a ferret to sleep because we could not find him/her a home.
All ferrets are spayed or neutered BEFORE adoption.
We turn no ferret away, no matter the health, age, or lack of training. Medical needs are met, and manners are taught. Here at FURRY Ferret Rescue, we believe that educating the potential pet owner is one of the most crucial things a shelter can do. This applies to both ferret shelters and other animal shelters. An educated pet owner can provide a safer, happier, and healthier environment for their pet, thus making both the pet and themselves a good match.
Before you browse the rest of our site, ask yourself if you can open your heart to a shelter animal, whether it is ferret, cat, dog, bird or reptile. Can you love a fur angel that has had it’s little heart broken? Can you give the pet a loving home for it’s lifetime?
The rewards that await are countless, their love endless. Can you make the commitment?
The History of FURRY
Why create a ferret shelter?
FURRY (Ferrets Underfoot Running ‘Round You) Ferret Rescue didn’t start out with the mission to rescue unwanted ferrets. It started as a social group. In 1996, two ferret owners set up a table at a small animal show in St. Louis to create a ferret social group so area owners could meet. Our early events included both owners and their ferrets. At the time, there were very few print or online resources for ferret owners. The club gave members an easy means to exchange information about caring for their pets, local qualified veterinarians, proper foods, and medical information for sick animals.
Ferrets were starting to appear in pet stores as interest in them rose. Unfortunately, most of the stores selling them were not educating new owners. Many of these new owners discovered that the effort needed to keep a ferret happy and healthy was more than they bargained for. As the only ferret group in St. Louis, we started fielding calls for advice on what to do with an unwanted animal. FURRY agreed to take in these ferrets as a temporary solution. The first rescued ferrets were given new homes with our members.
St. Louis adoption shelters did not accept ferrets and would euthanize any they received. FURRY contacted these organizations to arrange for the ferrets to instead be directed to the us for care. Before long, there were more ferrets looking for homes than we could support. FURRY needed a more formal approach to find new homes for these animals.
In 1997, we quickly created a board, applied for non-profit status, and drew up guidelines for adoption. Less than a year after it came into existence, FURRY had changed its mission from social to rescue.
Over 2000 ferrets have found new homes since the shelter’s creation. Countless volunteers have given their time, knowledge, and love to these wonderful little animals. No ferret has ever been turned away by the shelter or been euthanized because it couldn’t find a home. Older ferrets and those unfit for adoption receive lifelong hospice with one of the members. Sick ferrets receive all the medical care needed to make sure that they are healthy before adoption. Our dedicated volunteers work with the ferrets to socialize them and learn their unique personalities. FURRY makes every effort to ensure that the right ferret ends up in its final home.