Ferret News
Pet Ferret Care Tips
and Information.

www.ferretnews.com

contact: marymodernferret.com

======================================================
Modern Ferret News Mailing List Issue #36
http://www.ferretnews.com
December 16, 2002

by Mary R. Shefferman and Eric Shefferman
contact: marymodernferret.com
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Hi

 This evening I was giving the ferrets some new toys
because they seemed to be getting a little bored with
what they have. Since our move, we only have the bedroom
ferret-proofed. The bedroom is a bit smaller than the
space the ferrets are used to having for playtime, so
they pretty quickly get bored with the toys we put in
there. We usually take out some old toys and put in some
"new" (that is, ones the ferrets haven't seen in a couple
of weeks or so) toys every few weeks. With the ferrets
in a smaller space, we've had to give them "new" toys
more often.

 It's a good idea to rotate the "crop" of toys your
ferrets play with every few weeks. This helps keep the
fuzzies mentally stimulated. They like new things --
even if they're just old things they forgot they had.
Ferrets need the mental stimulation of new things in
their environment in order to maintain health. Rotating
toys helps keep them interested in the things around them.
Of course, you'll want to check toys for wear and throw
away toys that are damaged (even if it's a favorite toy).
This means getting new toys.

 See my article in this newsletter for some tips for
choosing safe ferret toys.

 Wishing you all some happy holiday shopping! (See the
Last Minute Ferrety Gifts section for some last-minute
gift ideas for the ferret lovers in your family!)

- Mary


----- The Modern Ferret News -----
>>> In this newsletter: <<<

==> Tips for Choosing Safe Ferret Toys
    by Mary R. Shefferman

==> Last Minute Ferrety Gifts!
    Reasonable 2-day Shipping Options on T-shirts,
    mugs, mousepads, clocks, greeting cards, and
    more at the Ferret Designs store

==> Announcement for Virginia Ferret Owners!
    Please act on this if you live in Virginia!

==> Update on Modern Ferret Things


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======================================================

==> Tips for Choosing Safe Ferret Toys
    by Mary R. Shefferman

 A lot of ferret parents like to get their ferrets new
toys for the holidays. If you're looking for something
to get your ferret, there are a few things you should
keep in mind. Not all toys labeled for ferrets are safe
for ferrets. Toys made of soft latex are an intestinal
blockage just waiting to happen. Hard plastic or hard
rubber toys that your ferrets can't bite pieces off of
are examples of proper ferret toys. When selecting a
toy, remember that your ferret has sharp teeth designed
for tearing (they are carnivores, after all), so avoid
any toy that might not stand up to a ferret's teeth.
You'll want to periodically check toys for wear and
throw away toys that are damaged (even favorite toys).

 You need to examine each toy and think about how a
ferret might accidentally get hurt by it. Watch for
things that could suffocate, break off, tip over,
poke an eye, or get a ferret's head or paw caught.
Remember, just like small human children, ferrets
don't always act with the greatest of common sense.

 You don't have to buy your ferrets toys -- you can
make them! Something as simple as a cardboard box or
a crumpled piece of paper can make a ferret very happy.
Be sure that you don't have a ferret who chews on
cardboard (our Koosh does, so we have to watch him
closely with boxes) or eats paper (our Marshmallow
used to eat paper). Every ferret is different. We know
of gentle, dainty little ferrets who play gently with
stuffed animals and have never torn them open. But a
stuffed animal wouldn't last a minute with our group.
Overall, the key to ferret toy safety is to know your
ferrets and watch how they are playing with their toys.

Have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday!
:)

P.S. If you've enjoyed this article, imagine how much
you'd enjoy reading the printed magazine that we make
-- it has all sorts of great care articles along
with great photos of ferrets and all kind of fun.
See the message below for information on how to buy
the current issue of Modern Ferret magazine:

   ---------------------------------------------------
   If you've been reading this newsletter and would
   like to see what Mary and Eric do in a real printed
   magazine, you can go to our online store and order
   a single copy.

   http://modernferretstore.com/24/cat24.htm

   Modern Ferret Magazine issue #33 features:
   - A *huge* interview with best-selling author
    Richard Bach (_Jonathan Livingston Seagull_
    and now his new books _The Ferret Chronicles_)
   - Is it a Boy or a Girl? How to sex a ferret
   - Teeth, Claws, and Eyeballs: Why are my ferret's
    teeth so long? by Bob Church
   - Dear Gabby's tips for new ferret parents
   - The Bones of a ferret: Bacula
   - Ferrety Nursery Rhymes
   - plus ferret cartoons, funny stories, and more!
   *and* a very special Ferret Faces Pin-Up Centerfold!

   You can also order a subscription, back issues,
   and other Modern Ferret products from the site.

   http://modernferretstore.com
   ---------------------------------------------------

======================================================

==> There's Still Time For Shopping!

 You can still get your special someone (or yourself)
a great ferrety gift!

 At our Ferret Designs store, CafeShops is making the
following offer:

+ + + Holiday Special! + + +
Upgrade from Standard to 2 Day Shipping for free.
Select 2 Day Shipping on any order, and pay the price
of Standard Shipping. Available on US deliveries only
and cannot be shipped to P.0. Boxes. No minimum purchase
required. Offer ends December 17, 2002.

http://www.cafeshops.com/ferretdesigns

We have ferrety holiday greeting cards and other special
holiday products. See:

http://www.cafeshops.com/cp/store.aspx?s=ferretdesigns.33785

 The best-selling items this season have been our line
of "Ask Me About My Grandferrets" products. Everything
from T-shirts to mugs to picture frames for the proud
ferret grandparent. See all the great gift ideas here:

http://www.cafeshops.com/cp/store.aspx?s=ferretdesigns.33784

 And of course there's all the old favorites: #1 Ferret Mom,
Love Me Love My Ferret, World's Greatest Ferret Dad, etc.

http://www.cafeshops.com/cp/store.aspx?s=ferretdesigns.33783

======================================================

==> Announcement for Virginia Ferret Owners!
    Please act on this if you live in Virginia!

 Lisa Leidig has brought it to our attention that now
is the time to act in order to remove home-based rescue
from the Comprehensive Animal Laws. Please write to
these legislators before December 25 so that you can
reach them while they are at home (before the General
Assembly convenes). These laws directly affect ferret
rescues in Virginia so your help is needed!

 From Lisa Leidig of
http://www.ferrethaven.org

 Now is the time to write to the Senate Agriculture
committee. We have an amendment that is sponsored by Sen.
Quayle and we need letters asking them to support this!
This amendment will completely remove home-based rescue
from the Comprehensive Animal Laws (something that SB260
added and was passed in 2002 - through a lot of letter
writing, animal home-based rescues managed to get it
suspended until the General Assembly meets).

 This is a website that gives an overview of SB 260 and
why we wanted it amended:

http://www.no-sb-260.com/

 These are the folks to write (it doesn't matter if you
are a rescue or just a voter - please write and tell them
to support Sen. Quayle's amendment):

The Honorable Phillip Puckett
State Senator
P.O. Box 924
Tazewell, VA 24651-0924

The Honorable Bill Bolling
State Senator
P. O. Box 3037
Mechanicsville, Virginia 23116

The Honorable Mary Margaret Whipple
State Senator
3556 North Valley Street
Arlington, VA 22207-4445

The Honorable Frank M. Ruff
State Senator
P.O. Box 332
Clarksville, Virginia 23927-0332

The Honorable Nick Rerras
State Senator
1518 Springmeadow Boulevard
Norfok, Virginia 23518-4814

The Honorable Patsy Ticer
State Senator
City Hall - 301 King Street, Room 2007
Alexandria, VA 22314-3211

Thank you so much!

Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org

======================================================

==> Update on Modern Ferret Things

 Just a reminder that we have the following products
available -- if you don't get them now, you may want
to get them as a present for yourself when January
rolls around!

** The Ferret Faces 2003 Calendar and Address Book **

http://ferrettradingpost.com/caladbook.html

 This is the adorable new calendar and address book
filled with photos of sweet little ferret faces.
We're really proud of this, so give it a look! Sharp
close-up photography of ferret faces!

 You can see all 12 faces from this year's calendar by
going here:

http://ferretfaces.com/january2003.html


** 500 Things My Ferret Told Me **

  http://ferrettradingpost.com/500ferret.html

 This fun book gives you 500 enjoyable ferrety quotes
all wrapped up in a nifty little square book. We're
so sure that you'll want to keep a copy for yourself
as well as give the book as a gift that we're offering
it with a Buy 2 Get One Free special!


** The Monster Pack of Modern Ferret Back Issues **

  http://ferrettradingpost.com/take25pack.html

 We've renamed the Take 25 Pack and we've even thrown
 in a bonus mug!

    "I enjoyed every page of the Modern Ferret Take
   25 Pack. This was an excellent deal for me. The
   informative articles on ferret health, the humorous
   stories, and the sweet photos of other people's
   fuzzies is awesome. I just wish that I had the
   other back issues that are out of stock! I keep
   them in a basket so I can refer to them when one
   of my ferts has a health or behavioral issue."

   --Joyce Huff and the 9 li'l "devils"
   (Sara, Kooter, Fuzz, Tootsie, Fuji, Nikki, Sasha,
   Tweeters, and Spanky), Pennsylvania

 This Holiday Season, get yourself and your ferret-
loving friends a gift they'll enjoy and that will
help them help their ferrets live happier, healthier
lives -- the Modern Ferret Monster Pack!
 

** The Wit and Wisdom of the Modern Ferrets **

  http://ferrettradingpost.com/witandwisofm.html

 Compiled from the columns written by our ferrets
during the first 5 years of publishing Modern Ferret
Magazine, this book has the kind of writing that
got Modern Ferret chosen as one of the 12 Best
Magazines in the Magazine Business!

 Ferret care tips written by ferrets -- what could
be more educational while being enjoyable to read?




 Have a very happy December and a ferrety new year!

- Mary and Eric and the ferrets
Trixie, Koosh, and Gabrielle

======================================================

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That's it for this newsletter!
Stay tuned! More great stuff is on the way!

======================================================


Please let your ferret friends know about this
newsletter and encourage them to read it.

Shopping at these websites to helps support this
newsletter and keep it free.

 http://www.ferretdesigns.com

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You can provide feedback about this issue by sending email to:
marymodernferret.com


Disclaimer:
http://ferretnews.com/disclaimer.html
The shortened version of the disclaimer is:
If your ferret is ill or you think your ferret
is ill, bring your ferret to a ferret
knowledgeable veterinarian.

Copyright 2002 Modern Ferret magazine.
All rights reserved.
http://www.modernferret.com