Charity
Hello, Morphicon!
Ferrets Unlimited Rescue Services (FURS) is thrilled to be returning to Morphicon as your designated charity. We always look forward to spending time with the great characters we encounter at the ‘Con. And, your hospitality and generosity are the stuff of legends!
FURS began operating in January of 2009 to carry on the work that Jean Caputo-Lee began as Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter (FUFS) in 1994 and carried on until 2008. FURS rescues, rehabilitates, and finds caring permanent homes for abandoned, surrendered, and abused ferrets and educates prospective ferret owners and the general public about the personalities, habits, and care requirements of these lovable companion animals. FURS is the only organization of its kind east of Toledo, west of the Ohio/Pennsylvania line, and north of Columbus.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit Ohio corporation whose mission is to:
- Provide for the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement/adoption of abandoned, surrendered, and abused ferrets into loving and responsible homes;
- Provide, through a foster home network, accommodations and veterinary care for ferrets for the period between intake and permanent adoption;
- Provide permanent homes and ongoing care for chronically ill, aged, and behaviorally-challenged ferrets;
- Educate potential adopters and the general public, including humane societies and other organizations (including pet retailers), about ferret habits and care requirements; and
- Provide a network for local ferret owners and enthusiasts, as well as linking the northern Ohio ferret community with other ferret-related organizations throughout Ohio and other states and countries.
We operate as a foster home network serving primarily (but not exclusively) northeast Ohio. Fostering enables us to dedicate as many of our resources as possible to the ferrets in our care and not to the expenses of operating a facility. Despite the generosity of our veterinary advisors, who discount or donate their services to us, 80% of the funds we raise go toward veterinary expenses for our kids. Food, litter, and travel expenses are our next greatest expenses.
Ferrets that come to us are surrendered, lost, or abandoned. Many have been abused and neglected. FURS accepts surrenders from private individuals and from local and regional animal rescue organizations, humane societies, and municipal animal control agencies. Priority is given to strays, emergency removals (as in hoarding situations), and surrenders to animal control agencies. To ensure that our ferrets receive the best of care, FURS accept only as many ferrets as we can adequately locate in our foster home network. We work closely with other ferret rescue organizations throughout Ohio to place ferrets that we cannot accommodate.
Ferrets that come to FURS are seen by our veterinary advisors, who evaluate their age, condition, and veterinary history (if provided). They also administers any required vaccinations – distemper and rabies, the latter of which is now required in most counties. Ferrets arriving in need of acute critical care are treated immediately. All ferrets are routinely quarantined for two weeks upon arrival, and are then placed into foster homes until they are adopted. FURS foster homes are carefully screened by FURS to ensure that they can provide great temporary homes.
Ferrets coming to FURS who are older, ill, or have behavioral problems that may render them less or non-adoptable become permanent residents in the FURS foster network. Several foster homes actual prefer working with these ‘special needs’ ferrets.
We do not euthanize unless a ferret’s quality of life is so comprised that they let us know it’s time to let them go.
We have an in-depth adoption process so that we know our ferrets are going to good homes. Potential adopters are asked about past experience with ferrets, their current living arrangements (e.g., rent vs. buy), the number of persons and ages of children in their household, the type of housing and diet they are willing to provide, and veterinary information. They may also be asked to submit to a home visit. For the welfare of both the ferret and any children in the household, FURS will not adopt a ferret into a home with a child under 5 years of age.
FURS derives its operating funding from surrender and adoption fees, individual and organizational donations (both cash and in-kind), charitable foundation grants, and fundraising activities. We host an annual Open House and anniversary celebration in early November to commemorate our humble beginnings and several other events throughout the year, including bowling fundraisers, wine tastings, and our Fathead’s Ferret Fest (held at Fathead’s Brewery and Saloon in North Olmsted, Ohio). In fact, we are honored to have our group portrait (humans and fuzzies) included on the Fathead’s wall of fame!
We are truly grateful for Morphicon's generous support of our efforts and hope that you will continue to help us help the fur babies that come to us! Cash donations are always welcome, but we equally appreciate donations of food, litter, bedding, and other needed supplies. (Visit our website for details.) We also accept donations via PayPal. Donations for veterinary care can be made directly to Avon Lake Animal Hospital, 124 Miller Road, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 (please request that your donation be applied to the account of Ferrets Unlimited Rescue Services (FURS)).
On behalf of the two-legged volunteer staff and four-legged fuzzies in our care, thank you!
Deb Benson (aka Ferret Face)
President,
Ferrets Unlimited Rescue Services (FURS)