Ferret Lose.

Question
QUESTION: Hello, So My Family were doing some cleaning and furniture arranging, and my ferret (Teddy) was out his cage walking the house as usual. We took the entertainment system outside to a neighbor and hours later after not seeing or hearing Teddy as usual i looked around and he wasnt anywhere so my mom and I could only think he's outside. She put his hamick outside with somefood and a blanket however..... its snowing here in NY. We live on LongIsland By Water So its about 20 - 30 degrees. Can Ferrets Servive these temperatures? Whats the chance of him being alive still (hopeing) if so What are the odds of him returning safely? please please help i love teddy i cried myself to sleep and now im up at 2 in the morning writeing to you. PLEASE Tell me what to do!!!

ANSWER: Hello Aikea:

I'm so very sorry to hear of you losing your precious little Teddy. My first suggestion is to take a picture of him around to all your neighbors and have them watch for him. Often folks see a ferret and are not sure what it is so they shoo it away. Assure them he is friendly and they can pick him up and bring him to your home (for a reward?). Rewards are good to offer. Check around in the snow for footprints or any indication of where he could have gone -see if there is any indication of digging or ferret poop. If you have a garage, open the door slightly,put his cage in with lots of blankies and anything that has his scent on it - especially his litterbox will call him home to his scent. Be sure to have food and water waiting for him in case he does return to the cage wherever you put it, along with the lots of blankets to snuggle down into. If you don't have a garage, then put whatever you have up close to the door you use most - it will have the scent of your shoes and he has a good sense of smell that MAY guide him back home if he gets cold. Don't give up looking for him and calling him for at least 3 or 4 days in the cold. Don't give up checking with neighbors for at least a week because someone may even take him in if they see him and nobody is looking for a ferret. Post LOST FERRET posters on ever possible post near your home - for at least 1/2  mile in all directions.

Call your local humane society, police department and any other agencies (ASPCA?) that may have been contacted if someone found a pet they didn't know what to do with. Be sure to leave your name and number and a description of him so they can call you back in case someone turns him in the day after you call....don't give up - that's the best advice I can give you. I have heard folks find a ferret that had been taken in by well meaning neighbors two weeks after being lost! Put an ad in the paper, making sure to state WHAT part of town he is lost in (almost forgot that part!) People will check these places if they find him.   Just don't give up - get out there and pound on doors and make yourself a detective on Teddy's behalf - watch for little pawprints as you go throughout your neighborhood, watch for ferret poop, etc. Call his name and listen and watch for him in all directions.You and Teddy are in my thoughts in prayers. God bless....please update me - I hope and pray it's good news.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So if He's still out there (hoping) how long can he survive the snow. its about 4 - 6 inches in my neighborhood. . . .  

Answer
HI Aikea:

I'm so sorry you don't have good news yet. That's a hard question to answer. If he's IN the snow, not even an hour. Their little bodies just can't hold the warmth. However, he would probably seek warmth, maybe sneak into someone's garage, sneak into a front door, try to follow someone if he's people oriented - so hard to tell. Every ferret is different. It worries me that you have snow, but hopefully maybe you could track him better unless the snow is old and all walked on. Unless he has found shelter somewhere by now, he is probably lost for good.  Your best hope at this time is to go door to door with fliers with his picture on it if possible and your phone number, saying he is a ferret, won't bite and to take him inside and warm him up and to call you immediately if found.  My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and with precious little Teddy. What a frustrating position to be in so close to Christmas - please don't give up yet though!!  I've heard such heartwarming stories....I am still hopeful there is one for you.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers