A Word from Fred and Jackie:
Since Jackie and love our fuzzies so much, we
decided we should try and do something to help the thousands of other
ferrets out there who have not yet found a forever home. Considering we are
not a rescue organization ourselves we thought a logical place to start
would be to support the shelter Sookie and Cooper came from. Father Nature's
Ferret Rescue in Wood Ridge, NJ.
Father Nature's Ferret Rescue is run by Keith
and Evelyn Krysz, two wonderful fuzzy guardians who's selfless devotion to
ferrets was evident to us the first time we had the pleasure to meet them at
their New Jersey home. After filling out an online adoption form, we were
contacted by Keith for a telephone interview. Keith invited us out to his
home and we were ecstatic! Following our hour and a half ride in New
York/New Jersey Traffic, we arrived at Father Nature's and were a bit
surprised. In front of us stood a neat and well kept suburban home so before
parking out front, we double checked the address on our Map Quest direction
sheet and sure enough, this was the right place. Jackie and I held hands as
we nervously progressed up the walkway to their front door not knowing what
to expect. For some reason, on the drive over, I had visions of "Ole'
McDonalds Farm" in my head and now as I rang the door bell of a beautiful
home, I was a bit unsure what awaited us inside.
Keith greeted us with a warm and friendly "HELLO!" and invited us inside.
Nope, no farm house in there either! Instead we found a beautiful living
room whose finished wood floor had a miniature "playground" appearance.
There was a ferret tunnel over here, a tent over there and a comforter
behind that. Closer observation of the living and dining room revealed a few
strategically placed "wee-wee" pads in the corners of each room. Everything
looked "Ferret Ready" except that there were no ferrets.
We were seated on a comfortable couch as Keith and Evelyn sat across and to
the side from us. They explained how their fuzzies are always a little shy
when strangers come over but give them a minute and they'll be out.
THEY, I thought to myself, HOW MANY DO THEY HAVE RUNNING LOOSE!?
Sure enough, as our interview progressed, Sookie came tip-toeing right
across the living room floor right in front of us and disappeared behind the
couch. I looked over to my girlfriend Jackie as if to say, "DID YOU SEE
THAT!?" Seconds later I felt a tickle on my neck and it was Sookie. He
climbed up the back of the couch, over my shoulder and into my lap. The
interview continued without Keith missing a beat. Not me! Inside I was
jumping for joy as I had never experienced "free roaming" ferrets before and
here was Sookie acting just like a cat! It was an experience I'll remember
the rest of my life. A minute or two later there was another, then another
and another! Keith and Evelyn's ferrets were emerging from their "hideouts"
to check out the new humans. I couldn't help feeling that WE were being
reviewed for adoption by the ferrets instead of us reviewing THEM! It was
GREAT! That's Sookie Keith offered and the one behind you is Cooper. I
turned my head and was nose to nose with Cooper, who had come up the couch
the way Sookie did and was sitting on the back of the couch as if to say,
"Hey Keith, who are THESE two?" Jackie scooped Cooper up and began petting
him wile I rubbed the now dozing Sookie's belly. And the interview
continued. Jackie and I had already decided which two we wanted and much to
our delight, Keith noted that they were among the ferrets who were
available for adoption. You see, not ALL the ferrets at Father Nature's are
able to leave. Some are too sick and unfortunately will live out their
remaining days under Evelyn's Duck Soup care.
We wrapped up our visit with a cigarette break on their front porch. No
smoking in the house as it's bad for the fuzzies! I thought that was
wonderful! We finished up the required paperwork, were given proof of
vaccinations and issued a laminated copy of
The Ferret Ten Commandments. Keith and Evelyn said their goodbyes to
Sookie and Cooper and noticing that Keith's eyes were a bit glassy, I
promised we'd keep in touch so he need not worry or be sad. It was a strange
feeling. I felt bad taking Sookie and Cooper away from their temporary
parents yet happy to have two adorable fuzzies to add to my family.
Keith and Evelyn operate their rescue
completely "out of pocket" as they do not charge any adoption fees. They
rely solely on meager donations from
their
website.
We got Sookie and Cooper with all their shots up to date and in PERFECT
condition both physically and mentally and all it cost us was our promise to
care for them properly and provide a good forever home.
Jackie and I ask those of you reading this page that if you have the
means and find it in your heart to help a ferret in need, contributing to
Father Nature's Ferret
Rescue will be money well spent. I can't imagine a better shelter or
envision two more caring individuals than Keith and Evelyn. They are truly
"Ferret Angels".
Jackie and I at Father Nature's Ferret Rescue holding Sookie and Cooper
