Ferret Association of Connecticut, Inc.

01/17/2025

Welcoming the newest lab ladies: the 5 Berries! As personalities emerge, they will become StrawBerry, BlueBerry, BlackBerry, RaspBerry and CranBerry!

01/13/2025

Helping animals in need due to CA wildfires: You will see a LOT of appeals for $$ - give WISELY. Gifts to orgs DIRECTLY taking pets in the area means your $ gets to animals fast & efficiently. For example, the Pasadena Humane Society has already taken in 300 animals, according to CBS News. A shelter associated with LA Animal Control, the Agoura Animal Care Center, is another.
Here's a list of orgs compiled by World Animal Protection:
https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/latest/blogs/california-wildfire-emergency-animal-shelters-and-rescues/
Animal Legal Defense fund has a short list, also.
Many of the intake shelters need people outside fire zone to temporarily foster pets for those now homeless. If you are nearby, please consider!
Remember: MONEY lets them purchase what they need at bulk/nonprofit/discounted prices. Do NOT ship them leashes and collars and beds! I'll never forget a photo of a group literally moving a mountain of donated collars after Hurrican Katrina with a BACKHOE. They didn't even house dogs at the facility any longer. Wasteful and way less than helpful.

We’ve compiled a list of emergency shelters and rescues helping wild and companion animals affected by the California wildfires.

01/10/2025

We had a GREAT Animal Control training on 1/8 in Farmington, CT, where the Ferret Association, a rep from the Guinea Pig Sanctuary, and the House Rabbit Connection presented care tips for all 3 species.
Two more are scheduled! 1/15 is Plainfield, CT and 1/29 is Southbury, CT. Cost is only $25 and ACO's can earn 4 continuing ed credits. Cost includes light breakfast & lunch.
Not just for Animal Control! Any animal welfare worker or vet tech who really wants to learn (from specialists in caring for these little pets) will benefit. Interested member of public? Not everything will be pertinent, but you're welcome, too!
Scan the QR code on the pic to sign up or visit the website. We'd love to see you there!

01/09/2025

When adopting a pet, when is an "adult" not an "adult?" Reaching a certain age gives you rights under state & federal laws: the right to vote, to drink, or to be charged as an emotionally mature person for crimes.
But if you are still in high school or college, don't have income that allows you to live on your own, and a parent/guardian claims you as a dependent on their taxes, that makes you an "adult" under a very limited definition. You're not a fully self-sufficient, responsible adult if you rely on subsidized housing and upkeep from another person(s). It means you'll probably have to rely on that support if your pet requires veterinary care, too.
So yes, if you're in that situation, the shelter will likely ask for the parent/guardian to either adopt the animal themselves, or be a guarrantor for the animal's long-term care & welfare.
Shelters don't ask for those guarranties because they're big blue Meenies trying to deny you a chance to care for a pet. They ask because their first responsiblity is to the pet and what will give him or her the best chance at a permanent, responsible home.

Send a message to learn more

01/09/2025

New pet food pantry in Vernon CT: available to use by any CT resident in need.
https://www.ctinsider.com/journalinquirer/article/ct-vernon-pet-pantry-20018126.php
Additional drop off locations for donations:

Dog Essentials (Route 83)
Posh Pups (56 Hyde Avenue, Route 30)
Stop & Shop Vernon
Stop & Shop Rockville
Mellow Mutt (Parker Street) in Manchester
The Proper Pet (Fieldstone Commons) in Tolland
Leaps and Bones at Evergreen Walk
Coldwell Banker Realty (Buckland Road)
Stop & Shop in South Windsor.

REMEMBER! WHEN YOU GIVE TO A NONPROFIT, $$ IS BEST! They can buy exactly what is needed and nearly always buy much more for the same amount you spend.

In slightly more than two months, the Vernon Pet Pantry has collected thousands of pounds of food for pets in need.

01/06/2025

Lab lady adoption alert! We're getting ready for another group of former laboratory ferrets arriving soon and would love to find good homes for the ferrets here now, which include several of the adorable girls in recent videos. All are 1-2 years old and have vaccinations & microchips. THESE FERRETS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. THEY NEED EXPERIENCED, ADULT-ONLY, STABLE HOMES. They love other ferrets and would be a great addition to an existing ferret family.
Easiest way to apply is through this link:
https://ferretassn.org/shelter/adoption/adoption-process/

Understand our adoption standards are high and we do not approve every application. We try to be reasonable and discuss concerns but will err to the side of caution with the lives placed in our hands.

The Adoption Process FACT’s adoption process is straight-forward. There are two ways to complete an application. You can complete the Adoption Application online by following this link; or, Print Out An Adoption Application, complete and return to us by mail prior to contacting us for an appointme...

01/03/2025

Do YOU have odd bits of unused US postage around? Was trying to buy one cent stamps at PO yesterday just to be told they aren't selling them anymore. They HAD some, they just "couldn't" sell them. (Dumb!) We use lots of stamps for our thank you cards and newsletters and buy big bunches from dealers who get random pieces from estates...at below face value. :) Perfectly good, legitimate unused postage (not trying to steal from the PO!). Now that mostly "forever" stamps are sold, few use odd amounts. BUT you may have some in a drawer. We'd love to have them! Just mail to us at 14 Sherbrooke Ave, Hartford, 06106. Please, must be unused postage - you can't cut unpostmarked ones off envelopes, that's not legit. We promise they'll be put to good use, and thank you!

01/03/2025

Bargain alert: You MAY find some Stella & Chewy's raw cat food at Ocean State Job Lot. This was spotted at one near central CT today and I saw some S & C dog kibble in Berlin. The feline dehydrated raw turkey normally sells for $11 for 3.5 oz, so $3.99 is a deal. Note it's dated best by July 2025. There are at least a dozen OSJL stores in Connecticut and as many in Massachusetts. Best to crumble the dry pieces FIRST, then put in warm water. Makes a great, healthy treat and thanks to Megan Carfino, who spoke to the company, they claim their heat process would destroy any possible avian flu contamination.

01/01/2025

One of the latest lab ladies, the Belles, has adopted shelter helper Ashlyn as her "baby." She very gently grabs Ashlyn and tries to put her away. Watch out, Mike & Valerie Cartier - Ashlyn now has a new StepMom!

12/25/2024

Important! cat raw food recall just announced due to bird flu contamination.

Northwest Naturals voluntarily recalled a batch of raw frozen food after an indoor cat died of bird flu, Oregon officials said.

12/25/2024

At last weekend's deslorelin implant party for our Foster ferrets, pouches were distributed to Foster families as our gift. Those who weren't there had gifts mailed. Sidney, who was found in a dumpster, is clearly enjoying his choice! "No more garbage for me!" Photo credit Susann Thiel, Sid's Foster mom.

12/19/2024

Check it out!

12/19/2024

This clip from "Nature" is a few years old, but still interesting. Enjoy!

An adorable clip from the PBS series Nature takes a look at the incredibly fluid physiology of ferrets. They examine, through slow motion footage, the

12/17/2024

Hot tip! Starting 12/18 in many locations, Aldi will have one of their "finds" - a plastic boot tray for only $6.99. These make GREAT corner spots - put ferret p**p papers on top to protect floors from urine. Ad doesn't show size but looks like about 30" across and 18 or so deep. With only a 1" lip, even the wobbliest oldie can climb in.

12/14/2024

Did you know? FACT has an annual tradition of giving our donors a tiny gift of a photo magnet or, for those who give $50 or more, a little magnet calendar with the same photo. Magnets are created by our talented graphic designer friends - they cost us very little, honest! We love our supporters and this is just our small way to show appreciation.

The Sharrard Family is one that has given over the years and has a collection of them on their fridge. You can get one of our beautiful lab ladies as a magnet or calendar to remind you of your generosity, too! Just paypal your gift to [email protected] and thank you!

12/09/2024

Announcing three January seminars especially for animal welfare workers and Animal Control!
Sponsored by CT Municipal Animal Control Officer Assn. Please use the link below to register.
https://form.jotform.com/CTAnimal/bunnies-piggies--ferrets-class-regi
Please share with your local humane group and/or ACO. Many ACOs are required to obtain continuing education, and this qualifies for 4 CT credits.

12/06/2024

Brand new Lab Lady arrivals! The Belles, numbers 1 through 5. Enjoying the most space they've ever had to run & play.
Your gifts help us help them while they await new homes.

12/05/2024

Send a message to learn more