Posted: August 1, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
© Carolyn A. McKeone
This ferret seems to be pondering something. Perhaps whether its vaccinations are up-to-date or whether it has a disaster plan? |
This week everyone in Southern California got a good reminder to be prepared for disaster. I was sitting at a restaurant when the 5.4 quake hit and, while it seemed to last longer than I recalled any doing recently, it didn’t seem like such a bad quake. Then I watched the news that evening and saw the damage, mainly things falling over. Hmm. Maybe it’s time to check the status of those earthquake supplies in the garage.
As wildfires continue to burn in the northern part of the state, it’s a reminder that fire season is in full swing. And then there’s hurricane season. I think you get where this is going. Please have a disaster plan in place for your and your ferrets; you never know when it will be needed! For a checklist on making a small pet disaster kit, click here>>
Some happy news is that our website continues to grow. In July, Travis Livieri began writing his blog on saving black-footed ferrets. The video he sent for his July 3rd entry is riveting. I’ve watched it again and again. Travis was lucky enough to film a mother black-footed ferret moving her two kits between burrows. Her caution and care show what precious animals these are. I hope she and all the black-footed ferrets survive the plaque that is going through their area. The black-footed ferrets need our help. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve really got to read Travis’ blog! Click here>>
Are you gearing up for the Buckeye Bash? It’s perhaps one of the biggest ferret championship shows in the country and was featured on PBS in Ferrets: The Pursuit Of Excellence. It takes place August 23rd. For information, click here>> I hope to see you there!
Finally, a friend just told me she lost several ferrets to canine distemper. She has no idea where it came from. Those she lost recently joined her household and had unknown vaccination histories. Canine distemper can be found anywhere; it’s even possible to get it on your shoes simply from walking on the street. If your ferret isn’t vaccinated against this disease, please discuss this with your veterinarian. It’s almost always fatal to ferrets once they get it.
Wishing you all the best. Have a great August!